The Difference - Christian Leave

Five

The next day at school I sat alone, a few tables over from my usual spot. I got a good book from the library yesterday, and I didn't want any distractions. I didn't want my phone to fall out of my pocket (it didn't have a case) so I put it on the seat next to me before I set my books and lunch down.

It was called Guernsey Literary & Potato Peel Society and I was loving it so far. It is historical fiction about the World War II. It might sound boring but the writing is fantastic. I opened it up to where I left off and started to eat my lunch.

I saw someone out of the corner of my eye coming quickly toward me. I figured they would go past. But instead they sat down. Next to me. Hard.

"AAAAH, OH MY GOD," Christian yelled loud enough for everyone to hear.

"CHRISTIAN, ARE YOU OK?? Someome help!" I yelled. "You idiot!" Why did I have to leave my phone there? He didn't answer. The lunch ladies rushed over, and someone called the nurse. His face was scrunched up, some off it must have cut...his butt. That must hurt so bad.

I looked down. A thin stream of blood was running off of the chair. I think I'm gonna puke. I stood up and I didn't know what to do. The nurse came in. I looked at Christian, and he was starting to chuckle? Classic. I felt bad but I also had to hold back from laughing. This is the most ridiculous injury I have ever witnessed.

The nurse came over and asked what happened. He didn't look like he planned on answering.

"He sat on my...phone," I said. She looked at me, unimpressed. Years of teenage stupidity have hardened her.

Most of the students had to surrounded us to see what was happening. I wanted them to all go away.

"Alright, let's get you to the office," she said. She put her arm under his shoulder blades and tried to help him up. She handed me a towel. He stood up, and grimaced. He had stopped laughing. It was painful for me to his face in such turmoil. He had a face that should always be smiling.

A lot of my phone was left on the seat. It was completely cracked and the screen was just gone. The whole seat was red with blood.

I looked at his butt. (I have never enjoyed writing a sentence so much.) Two good sized pieces glass were stuck in his right side. Please, don't throw up. Don't throw up.

The nurse lost patience with me. "Well, don't just stand there, wrap it around him!"

I tried to wipe some blood off his leg, and then I put the towel around his waist and attempted to tie it off. I realized how skinny he was. I hadn't noticed because he always wears such baggy shirts. It stayed finally. I looked up at his face. It had turned from a grimace to a slight smirk? Oh, brother. At least I distracted him a little. He winked at me. I rolled my eyes.

We both helped him get to the nurse's office. I was surprised he didn't get taken to the hospital. I think this is the most exciting thing that's happened all year for her. She wasn't giving it up.

I sat on the bench next to the office and read my book. I felt so guilty. I heard a grunt every few minutes, and I had to stop myself from thinking about what was happening in that room. 

Someone had called his mom. I saw someone moving at the end of the hallway and it was her. She had light blonde hair and pretty blue eyes. Her face was creased with worry.

She saw me and gave me a small smile. I had talked her while cleaning before. She came and sat next to me on the bench. "Hi, Josie," she said, with her hands on her knees, tense.

"Hi," I said. She looked around the hallway for something. It was empty, school had let out.

"Do you know what happened?"

"Oh, sorry, yes. He sat on a...phone. And it cracked and kind of...got stuck?" I said tilting my head, turning the corners of my mouth down, and scrunching up my nose. She gasped and brought her hand to her mouth.

"Oh, Christian," she said, shaking her head. "I've told him he should be more careful."

"Well, I left it on the seat...I mean, it wasn't really his fault," I said, worried that she might get mad at me.

"Oh, sweetie, he should've looked. Your poor phone!" she put patted my shoulder.

I sighed. "It's ok, his poor butt." Did I really just say that? Omg, I just said that to his mom. I just said something about a boy's butt to his mother. Why do I even speak.

To my relief, she laughed heartily. She had a good laugh, like Christian's. We continued to talk. She was very sweet, and kind.

In about an hour the doctor came out to get his clothes and took them back into the room.

Then he came out. On crutches. "Hey, momma," he said. I love that he calls her that. Other boys would not be caught dead calling their mothers "momma" or even acknowledging their existence. He was different. He didn't try to impress anybody. Christian was just...him.

His dark blonde hair was a mess and his eyes were tired.  He gave me a sleepy smile. 

"Guess I should check the seat before I sit down, huh?" he said.

"Yeah, probably," I smiled sympathetically at him.