The Junior

Chapter One - Live While We're Young

Emily's POV

My friends and I pulled over and hopped out, rushing towards the wreckage of Tyler's car. "Tyler! Abbie!" Zack exclaimed.

"Zig!" I exclaimed.

I scrambled towards the car door just as Zig emerged from the backseat. I wrapped my arms around him and felt him shaking. "Son of a... What the hell was that guy thinking?" Zig asked.

"Are you okay? Please tell me you're okay!"

"Yeah, I'll be okay. I'm not hurt or anything. Just a little freaked."

I pulled him close, stroking his back. Suddenly, Abbie screamed from the front seat. "Oh God! Tyler, wake up!" Abbie exclaimed. I hurried to the front of the car to see Tyler unconscious in the driver's seat. There was blood soaking through the leg of his pants. "Someone do something! He's not waking up!"

Chris and Zig approached the door to the driver's side, trying to pull it open. "The door's too damaged. It won't budge!" Chris exclaimed.

"I'm calling an ambulance," Zack said.

"Abbie, are you all right? Can you walk?" I asked.

I opened the passenger side door, gently trying to guide Abbie out of the car, but she pulled away. "I'm fine. But I'm not leaving him," Abbie said. She reached over and lightly shook him. His head lolled lifelessly. "Come on, Tyler. Please! You're gonna be okay. I'm here, and help is on the way."

"Abbie..."

Tears welled up in Abbie's eyes, and she began sobbing uncontrollably. "Oh God, Tyler!"

At last, Tyler let out a couch, his eyes fluttering open. "Abbie? Are you...?" Tyler asked. He shifted in his seat, grimacing. "Ahhh! My leg!"

"Thank God! You're alive!"

She threw her arms around his neck, sobbing into his shoulder. Zig put a hand on my shoulder, and I turned and buried my face in his chest. "It's gonna be all right," Zig said.

Several Months Later...

I was unpacking boxes in the bedroom of my new apartment. Just as I finished up, my phone rang, and I saw it was Abbie. I quickly answered. "Abbie! I was just thinking about you. How's Tyler?" I asked.

"You can ask him yourself! He's on the line too," Abbie said.

"Hey, Emily! How's the new place so far?" Tyler asked.

"Well, we're still unpacking, but I'm really happy. We spent the entire break looking for the perfect apartment, and I think we found it," I said.

"How was your summer? I hope you did more than just look at apartments," Abbie said.

"Of course! I chilled so hard. With everything that happened last year, I just wanted to take it easy. No work, no stress, no worries. I spent a lot of time at the beach and went for a few hikes with my family, but mostly watched TV until my brain turned to mush."

"Now that's a summer I can get behind! Tyler seal of approval!" Tyler exclaimed.

I shifted my phone to my other hand while I straightened some items on my dresser. "So, how's your leg been, Tyler? Last time we talked it sounded like you were practically back at one hundred percent."

"Honestly, I feel so lucky. I've still got a slight limp, but my physical therapist thinks I'll make a full recovery in a matter of months."

"That's wonderful! I'm so glad there hasn't been any lasting damage."