Restless Hearts

Chapter 10 - Closer

Chapter 10 - Closer

James was practically dragging me on the way to his unit. The others were just behind us. I can hear Liz asking Josh on what pizzas to order when we arrived at his doorstep.

"Hey James, can you cook something for us while waiting for the pizza? I'm totally starving!" Liz exclaimed as we went in to his unit.

"Sure Liz, but can I just go on check Val's elbow? She fell off the stairs a while ago and she must've bumped and hit it with the railings."

Liz suddenly looked worried too, "Really?! I hope its not too bad Val, are you hurt that much?" She has this horrified face expression while turning to me.

"Of course it isn't! James is just overreacting!" I sounded defensive. Although it really hurts a lot but I'm trying myself too keep calm so that they won't notice. The three of us went into James' s room. He motioned for me to sit at the edge of his bed as he retrieved from his bathroom a bag of first aid kit.

"I'll just go outside and check on the others ok? I'll hope you'll be better Val." She patted me on my shoulder.

I glanced at James still looking worried,"Hey, relax. I'm okay... Its probably nothing but a bruise or a small cut, You don't have to react that way..." I assured him.

"Damn right I shouldn't be. What if something bad had happened to you? For all you know, it could have been your head and not your elbow who hit the railings. Your clumsiness makes me crazy." He said with a smile while moving his head from side to side.

That was really sweet of him. I can really feel that he cares for me so much. After all, he's been my best friend in the past weeks. James and I got closer during the weeks of our training and I'm really glad that we'll be together as project mates starting Monday next week.

I smiled at him. Just then, Liz peeked into the door and said, "Hey James, can you come outside? We're having trouble setting up your stereo, plus we are so hungry, perhaps Val wouldn't mind if someone else will check on her elbow?" Liz looked at me apologetically.

I smiled at Liz and said, "Of course not Liz, I can actually do it myself so its okay if you get James out now." James really looked irritated at Liz. Before he could protest, Liz shouted outside,"Hey Henry! could you come here for a sec?"

Henry came in an instant. He looked surprised to see me sitting on the edge of James's bed, James kneeling in front of me holding a bag of first aid kit.

"What happened?" He looked mortified. His eyes never leaving mine.

Liz tapped Henry on his back, "Nothing serious Hen. Val fell on the stair earlier that's probably why she wasn't with us at the lounge. She bumped into the railings when she fell and hurt her right elbow. James was going to look at it but we can't seem to get things setup outside without him. Could you check on Val instead of him? She might have a cut or bruise or something."

"She has a wound, judging on her face when I accidentally nudged her elbow earlier. " James added.

Really, there's no need to make a big deal out of this. But I appreciate how my friends showed their care. They are really good friends and I'm lucky to have them. I smiled at Liz, James and Henry, "It's nothing really! I can go check it by myself. You guys go outside now. I'll be out is a sec. Promise!" I waived my hand to the door, OUCH. there it is again. Every time I stretch my right arm, I feel a stab of pain in my elbow.

Henry looked even more mortified than he was when he learned about my elbow. He's probably guessing that I got it when he deliberately pushed me earlier at the rooftop. He's probably feeling guilty about it already.