Twisted Minds

Chapter 5

Bryn Daunt's POV

Two weeks after I woke up, the doctor released me from the hospital so my recovery can continue at home. In these two weeks, my father had informed the rest of my family and my friends about my "condition". They all have been very supportive and have tried to help but it is obvious that some of my friends are still slightly unsure how to deal with it. Josh had come by everyday at least twice. He would bring Isaac with him during week-day mornings to say hello and check on my condition. And again in the afternoon because Isaac was being taken home by Zane. (Apparently Josh and Zane made some kind of agreement of driving duties.) Josh brought, and continues to bring me the class work, homework for each of my classes and occasionally a frozen lemonade from Tim Horton's. School work is something I had been struggling with a lot, but Josh and the others helped explain it to me. That's also something strange I'd noticed-Josh and my friends. My friends won't say anything and even Zane and Kelli avoid and dodge the topic. It felt as though something about Josh either bothered or worried them. But when I asked them about it, they just smile and brush it off before changing the subject. When I needed to contact my friends, I had to use the cell phone that Uncle Logan let me borrow because mine was destroyed in the accident. Typically though, we would just text about school work or other dry topics, because they all tried to avoid taking about almost anything, in case I don't remember it. The drive home took about 15 minutes because I was admitted at the local hospital.
Surprisingly, one of my injuries was NOT internal bleeding. That's definitely a blessing I will remember. My sling was removed after four weeks, most of my cuts have scabbed over and begun to heal. Also I am walking again-sort of. The bruising on my back was extensive and personally I think that some of my ribs were at least cracked. But there is nothing the doctors can do. Due to this amount of pain though, I am walking more slowly. The hospital had offered me a wheelchair but I was stubborn and refused.
When I got home there was a welcome party waiting for me. Kelli, Taylor, Rebecca, Zane and many of the girls from my soccer team were there. Coach Mike was there as well.
"Feel better soon kiddo." Coach told me, as he smiled down at me and hugged me gently.
"Geez Daunt, what are we gonna do with you?" My goalie joked with me, her smile lightening her face.
"When you find out, let me know." I replied. That was a good day, spending time with people that care for me. Josh hadn't been able to make it, he had called about 15 minutes after I got home. He'd told me that he was sorry he couldn't be there but his football coach had scheduled some last minute training so he wasn't able to make the party. I assumed that Josh had ducked out of practice to call me because his breath was coming out in rapid panting over the phone line.
Anyway, after five weeks of being away, I am returning to school. Josh picks up Isaac and I in his Jeep this morning and before I can even protest Isaac sits in the back seat. Raising an eyebrow, but not pressing the subject, I struggle into the shotgun seat. As I do up my seatbelt, Josh leads over to whisper in my ear.
"It isn't you. He hasn't sat in the front seat once since the...accident." He says, awkwardly trailing off. Setting my jaw, I nod. As we are driving, Isaac makes conversation with Josh while I look out the window, effectively tuning out the rest of the world.
We reach the last intersection before the school and stop at a red light. This is when I tune back in to everything going on around me. Just as we begin to pass through the intersection it hits me. Memories from the accident flash through my mind, phantom pain envelopes my entire body, all at once. It's too much to take and I cry out in pain, clutching on to my shoulder. Real pain ripples through my shoulder and down my back due to my quick movement. Voices surround me but I can't focus on them as memories of the accident overwhelm my mind. As the memories begin to fade, that is when I become aware of where I am and what is going on around me. A pair of strong arms are wrapped around my mid-section, my body is facing away from the road and towards the vast forest that line this road. Someone's fingers are gently combing through my hair while a voice talks in my ear. Quickly regaining my senses, Josh's comforting, soft voice becomes audible.
"It's going to be alright Bryn. Breath deeply, in and out. The memories are in the past, I've got you. You're safe Dauntless, you're here with me." Slowly, my right hand moves overtop of his forearm and I lean back on to his chest. "Isaac, thanks buddy. She's alright, why don't you go back to the Jeep. We'll be there in a minute or two ok?" The hand leaves my hair and I hear the faint sound of a pair of footsteps moving away from Josh and I. His grip tightens around my waist slightly, pulling me closer. Josh's minty breath fans across my right cheek before, very delicately, his lips brush my jawline. Sighing, I allow myself to enjoy this moment, my eyelids drifting closed. He continues, slowly moving down my neck until he reaches my collarbone.
"Bryn, what was that?" Josh asks cautiously.
Slowly I turn to face him, which causes me to slide off his lap in the process.
"Was that your way of "easing me" into this conversation?" I ask, my hand gently grazing the place where Gunner's lips were pressed a few moments before.
"Maybe. Or maybe I just really wanted to kiss you." He replies coyly, winking at me. Feeling the heat rise to my cheeks, I clear my throat.
"Um, well it was a flashback. O-of the accident." I glance up nervously, looking at him through my eye lashes and medium length hair that has fallen in front of my face. Josh's jaw is set tightly, his gaze looking slightly pained. But then it is gone as quickly as it had appeared, and it is replaced by an understanding look.
"I'm not judging you Bryn. I don't think you're weak." Sighing with relief, I nod and hug him. He hesitates at first, likely because I caught him by surprise, before he envelops me in his strong, warm arms.
"Guys, we're gonna be late!" Isaac yells from the open window. Josh picks me up quickly and walks me to the car, placing me in my seat. He makes his way to the drivers side, and makes sure we're all buckled in before getting back on the road.
Luckily, we made it to school before the first bell, with a few minutes before first period. Josh stops me as I near the girl's change room.
"You ready to go back?"
"Yep. I need to something that lets me feel like...me again."
"Understood, I'm in the weight room if you need me." Josh tells me before turning on his heel and walking up the stairs to the weight room. Entering the change room, a hint of adrenaline surges through me. I'm excited to get back into routine.
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