Truth

First Friend

"Thanks again," I said as I was half-way out the door.

"Oh, wait!" Phil randomly bumped into me as he slid across the floor in his mismatching socks, trying not to knock me over. He pulled something out of his pocket, my phone. He handed it to me. I raised an eyebrow. "It fell out of your pocket in the hospital. I put my number in, but forgot to give it to you afterwards." He smiled.

I nodded, taking it and shoving it into my pocket. "Thanks."

"See you tomorrow?" He asked, his hand on the door.

I shrugged. "Maybe." I turned after he nodded in acceptance, closing the door.

With my stomach full, I decided it was time to go home. I still had about 45 minutes until 8, but I had insisted it'd take that long to walk to my house. I just hope I wasn't wrong. I decided to speed walk down and around, getting lost and out of breath.

---

I finally made it to a familiar area, but I had about 5 minutes left. I didn't care to be on time, but Ryan sure would. I would have to run like my life depended on it unless I took the short cut. One I really didn't want to. That would make me almost early.

The ally way.

It would be dark, but I've been down it hundreds of times before. Besides, it would save me the extra hassle. It would cut around most of the houses and lead to one just two down from mine. It would work for sure.

I headed down that way, starting to lightly jog. "Hey!" a unfriendly voice called from behind. I was half-way through, I just needed to get to my house. "Hey I'm talking to you! Stop!" The voice was starting to grow more threatening the faster I started running. "Stop! Stop or you'll get hurt!"

"Gives me more reason to run," I said under my breath as the ally came to a close. I ran to my house, flinging myself into the doorway and leaning against the closed door. I started panting, bending over to rest my hands on my knees and breathing heavily. I could feel the warmer air from inside the house start to un-numb my skin. I hadn't even realized it was that cold outside.

"Daniel?" Carrie popped her head around the corner from the living room, peering into the hallway that connected to the dining room and kitchen. I quietly slid my hand around my back and locked the door. Just in case. I pulled it back up to pull my hand through my hair. I hated not being able to use my left hand. "Is everything alright?"

I nodded and turned off the lights as I slowly walked towards her. "Yeah, I'm good. Well, besides my hand. It's throbbing like crazy." I decided saying anymore would probably be a mistake.

"Oh, I'm sorry. I guess trees just pop out of nowhere now, huh?" She smiled, a gleam of pain in her eyes. Why? I didn't want to make her feel bad or anything. That was actually the last thing I wanted to happen. She was so nice to me, I didn't want to upset her or anything close to that. That lead to the next question-did she know I was lying?

"Yeah," I tried to offer a smile, but drowsiness was suddenly present in my expression, and I couldn't keep myself from yawning. "Is it okay if I got to bed now?" I honestly would probably go to bed no matter what she said. I just wanted to make her feel like I'd take in her opinion. I guess the only thing that would change would be if I slept in my bed, or if she made me join them in the living room, probably watching a movie. They watched a lot of movies. I didn't care, that'd only change that I'd be sleeping on the couch instead.

She nodded, a cheerful smile replacing the almost pity smile she had been wearing earlier. "Go ahead, you probably need rest. Did the doctor give you anything to help ease the pain?" She asked. I shook my head. Was I supposed to grab some? Probably. I would've taken it gladly. "Oh, well I have some that'll help for right now. You should probably go pick some up tomorrow."