How To Save A Life

Trouble

The day proved to be long and tiresome. Mike wasn't in the right mind set all day; it would have done him better if he were in outer space. Part of the reason was Fiona, her sweet image lingering in his mind. But part of it wasn't her. He didn't know what it was, yet whatever it was it kept him from keeping focus in any of his classes. 

After lunch, Mike didn't have any classes with Randy or Tiffany, and he didn't see them, which was unusual.  

When the last bell of the day rang throughout the school, it was like a wave of relief washing over Mike. He hurried out of the boring, dull classrooms and headed towards his locker. 

Mike took his time putting his books away. As much as he had wanted to be home before, now that it was time he tried to drag out the minutes before he actually left.  

Mike was absentmindedly looking down the empty hallway when his locker slammed shut. The loud noise startled him. His head whipped around and he saw Randy standing there with an impish grin on his face and his board in his hand.  

"I wasn't expecting you." Mike began truthfully. Everything at lunch left Mike with an unsettling feeling about his friends. As they were walking towards the door, he realised he was wrong. 

"I wouldn't leave you hanging. Besides, it wasn't a big deal." 

"Yeah, your right." Mike laughed. They opened the door and the sunlight hit him; he was blinded by its brightness and struck with it's heat grazing the back of his neck.  

"No Tiff today?" Mike stated the obvious. He had to raise his voice to be heard. A lot of the kids were hanging around the courtyard taking. Most of them are from the Melville home and Mike didn't blame them for staying around. At least they were enjoying something. He envied them a little, but he was in great need for some riding with his friend and to go see his sister. 

"I couldn't fine her after lunch." Randy said without much emotion. Mike looked at his friend from the corner of his eye. He had to admit Randy was good at hiding his real emotions. Mike just brushed it off.  

After a moment of silence between them, Mike suggested they take the long way back. Randy agreed happily.  

They headed south and put they're boards under their feet. They started skating, the school getting smaller in the distance. They were going smoothly, passing shops and restaurants, with apartment buildings above. With their backpacks on, they looked like trouble, though they tried to stay out of it. On their way they didn't talk much; the boys left that to the busy streets they were next to and the people they were passing. 

Soon they came to a big hill. Every time they took this route, Mike felt on top of the world. The hill to him was Mount Everest; the highest point in the world with the best view (next to the roof). There was ever type of building below him, shining with the sun. 

The boys have each other the look and they finally started down the hill. Mike and Randy were basically flying and the wind was blowing in their hair. 

They were now at the bottom. The rush was over. They stopped for a bit to catch their breath. Then they continued on to the home. 

For the rest of the way, Mike was very aware of his surroundings. Now it was silent between him and Randy because if Randy was saying anything, Mike hadn't heard him.  

They turned down the street they always do, and Mike's attention was on the big hospital. For some reason, whether it's protective nature or some other force in the universe, he always looks at the entrance to make sure no one he knows is going in. It was a whole different case today. Mike was paying extra attention to the emergency room sliding doors. They opened and closed, opened and closed until two people came out. Mike had to squint his eyes. The younger of the two looked familiar and he wanted a closer look. 

All of a sudden, the golden sun hit them on just the right angle and everything clicked. It was Fiona and what Mike guessed was her mom. He could image the older lady at some point having the same long brown hair. 

Mike opened his mouth to call her name out, something like hope rushing over him, when his board hit the curb. It sent him into the air and falling to the ground fast. He connected with the sidewalk leading to the hospital entrance. He rolled a couple times until as soon as he had crashed, it was over. He lay on the floor and Randy stopped to rush to his friends aid. 

"Hey, what happened?" Randy tried to help Mike up, but he was already shuffling to his feet as fast as lightning.  

Mike stood, brushing himself free of the dirt he had collected from his trip. "Randy, it's her. I know what you think but, something like this doesn't just happen." He explained. "Look at her." Mike added with dreamy eyes in her direction.  

Randy turned his head towards the hospital and his eyes fell on a skinny girl with long legs, beautiful hair, and a face you could never forget. He swore she could be a model. But then he remebered- he shook his head. "Yeah..." Was his reply. 

Mike continued looking at them in the entrance. It appeared like they were having a heated argument. He started to approach them anyway. He didn't know how it would go, but he couldn't pass up a moment like this.  

"What are you doing?" Randy called as his friend was already walking up the sidewalk. As he got closer and closer his heart beat raised. It was a weird feeling he had never really felt before.  

Once he got close enough to see every detail on Fiona's face, Mike felt better. There was something about seeing her. Then he realised how stupid he was being. What was he going to say? How was she going to feel? 

So, Mike decided to walk into the doors, right next to them, wait a couple minutes, and walk back out. He did exactly as planned and they were still outside discussing something. He tried to hide the smile on his face when he looked at Fiona.  

At that moment she looked away from her mom, clearly annoyed, and met eyes with Mike's. A smile slowly formed on her sweet lips. It made him weak in the knees. Everything that happened meant she remembered.  

As Mike stayed behind her mom, Fiona mouthed hi to him. He answered hi too. But he didn't mouth he, he actually said it, which made her mom whip her head around.  

"Excuse me, who are you?" She had crazy eyes. 

Mike was about to say something when Fiona spoke up. "Mom, this is my friend Mike." 

"I don't care who he is, you shouldn't be seeing anyone and you know it; the doctor told you. You'll be checked back in." 

"I didn't mean for anything to happen." Mike said, a little confused. 

"Mike you're fine. It was really nice seeing you again." Fiona said, ignoring her mom. She looked really sad. Mike smiled at them, told them to have a nice day, and walked back to Randy. He looked back a few times, and they continued talking.  

As he got back to his board and they started back home, Fiona's mom grabbed her and escorted he back inside.

After a few more minutes on their boards, going through crowds of people and talking about what happened, they saw the home standing before them. There was no avoiding king home any longer. 

Mike stopped and stood in front of the door. He had never felt so nervous. He didn't know what was waiting for him on the other side of the door. As much as other things were on his mind all day, he didn't forget the events the unfolded at breakfast. 

Finally his feet pulled him across the threshold. Noise flooded his ears from all the kids.  

Together they climbed upstairs towards their rooms. Mike started towards his room to put his stuff away and just relax. Today was really stressful.  

He ended up wasting two hours doing nothing. Mike decided to go find someone familiar.  

He went to Maci's room, wanting to apologise for the morning, though she wasn't there. And the girls around her room hasn't seen her.  

Walking back down the hallway Mike spotted Tiffany. He called her name out over all the others. When he got closer she looked in a hurry. 

"Hey, I was looking for you." She started.  

"Yeah? Well have you seen Maci?" 

" That's why I wanted to talk to you. I saw Mrs. Turner taking her towards her office.