Swing

Chapter Five

“Oh my God! I hope he's okay,” I heard as I started to wake up.

“Wh- What’s going on?” I asked trying to move around.

“Robert!” I heard a familiar voice cry. “Oh my God I’m so glad you're okay!”

It was Fiona. She wrapped her arms around me and started sobbing softly. Not knowing what else to do, I wrapped my arms around her and hugged her. As I let her go I asked her how long I was out  and how I got to the hospital.

“You have been here for three days. The pitch you caught ended up saving your team and you guys won the game by four points, but the catch hit you in the face and knocked you unconscious. As soon as the ball hit your glove, it backed straight up into your eye and your entire body went limp!” Fiona exclaimed.

“What!?” I exclaimed angrily.

“Robert, you have a concussion and have been unconscious for three days,” Fiona said softly. “You were carried off the field on a stretcher because you couldn’t move.”

As she was talking to me, I noticed my coach walk in.

“Hey Fi, give me a minute will ya?” I asked politely.

“Oh, of course,” she said realizing that I wanted to talk to my coach alone. “I'll be getting food in the cafeteria if you need me.”

She walked out the door after giving me another hug, and she quietly shut it. My coach and I just stared at each other for a moment before saying anything.

“So what are the doctors saying?” I asked

“Well,” he began. “You have a pretty bad concussion and you haven’t been able to move for the last few days. They think it’s best that you skip the next game.”

Now I know what you’re thinking. This is where I freak out and go on a rampage on how the team needs me or how I have to play. Well you’re wrong so get over yourselves. I actually was fine with it. I mean, we won the game and are still undefeated. If my teammates did that after that game then they didn’t really need me, though I knew they wanted me there.

“Okay,” I said calmly. “When will I be able to leave though?” I asked.

“Well, the doctor said he was coming to finish checking up on you, but you should be able to leave after today,” my coach said proudly.

The doctor came in and asked coach Macco to leave. He finished his checkups and said that he would be back after a few minutes. By this time Fiona had came back and was waiting with me holding my hand. About ten minutes passed and the doctor came back and said that I was fine and that I should rest for a few more days before going back to play any sports. He said I should sit the next game out. After that, I gathered my belongings and walked out of the hospital holding hands with Fiona.

“You didn’t have to stay with me all these nights,” I told her. “You could have gone home and gotten some real sleep you know.”

“Please,” she began. “Go home to an alcoholic mother and a useless stepfather, or spend the night with someone who would appreciate me when he woke up? I think I’ll take option two,” she said.

I let her walk me home before turning to her and hugging her.

“Thank you,” I said.

“For what?” she asked.

“For being there for me when nobody else was,” I mumbled. “It really meant a lot.”

She went to say something, but I didn’t let her. Instead, I leaned in and kissed her. Not like a quick peck on the cheek like she did, but rather a meaningful kiss. She waited a moment in surprise before kissing me back. I backed up slowly and waited for her to say something. She was dumbfounded and the only thing I heard her say was wow. This, along with the blushing, made me smile.

“I have to get inside,” I said. “I’ll text you, okay?’

“O-Okay,” she stuttered as she started smiling. “Goodnight,” she said.

“Goodnight beautiful,” I said. “Walk safely and text me when you get home if I haven’t texted you before that.”

'I will' was the last thing I heard before she left for her house and I closed my door. One thing kept running through my mind. Best. Kiss. Ever.