Speak

Chapter 17 : Punched

Chapter 17

Morning...

Riker POV

I'd tried texting Kayla all night last night, but I got no response. She wasn't on the bus, but she was in physics class when I got there. She wouldn't look at me, even when I tried talking to her.

Later...

Riker POV

Kayla wasn't at lunch either. I sat at the empty table, hoping she'd show up.

She didn't. But guess who did?

"Get up, Lynch," one of my old table members said.

I looked up, scared to death.

"Up."

I didn't move. Someone grabbed my arm, and pulled me up. I was dragged out of the cafeteria, and into the bathroom. They trapped me in the corner. Someone went to punch me. I felt intense pain in the side of my face, and then all I saw was blackness.

Later...

Riker POV

I slowly opened my eyes. I had to squint because it was so bright in here. Staring at the ceiling, I realized I wasn't in the bathroom anymore. And by the beeping I heard, I assumed I was in a hospital.

Someone squeezed my hand a little, and I looked down. It was Kayla. She was staring up at me with tears in her eyes.

"Aw, Kayla. I'm ok. Don't cry."

Kayla handed me something, which I realized was a mirror. I opened it, and looked at myself. Half of my face was bruised pretty badly.

"Whoa... W-what happened?"

A nurse came in, and walked over to me.

"Riker, I'm glad you're awake. This young lady has been sitting here for hours, worried about you."

"Hours? What time is it?"

"It's about 6:00 at night."

"What happened?"

"You were knocked out by someone at your school."

"How did I get here?"

"There was a recording of what happened, and teachers found out. And you were rushed to the hospital."

"Where's my family?"

"They were here earlier. We said we'd call them when you woke up."

"Oh..."

"How do you feel?"

"Um... Tired..."

"Does anything hurt?"

"Not really..."

"Good. We gave you some pain medicine. Do you need anything?"

I looked down at the IV in my arm. I hate those things...

"Um... When can I go home?"

"Probably tomorrow. You were out for hours. We need to make sure you're ok."

I sighed as the nurse left.

Kayla laid her head on my lap, still holding my hands.

"Kayla, look. I need to talk to you."

Kayla looked up at me.

"I'm really sorry for yesterday. I was in a lot of pain, and I was grumpy, and it just wasn't a good day, ok? I'm sorry for what I said."

"It's ok, Riker," Kayla whispered.

I smiled.

"Thanks... So um... We're still together, right?" I asked.

Kayla nodded.

"Thank god... I don't want to lose you..."

Kayla was everything to me. I needed her.

The nurse from before came back in.

"I called your parents and told them that you're awake. They'll be here soon."

"Ok..."

The next day...

Riker POV

After an awful night at the hospital, I was finally allowed to go back home. Obviously, I wasn't going back to school today. I'd probably go back tomorrow. They did a bunch of tests at the hospital, and it turned out I was fine, except for all the bruises on my face. But they'd go away over time.

Kayla had texted me during lunch to say that they suspended the guy who punched me.

I laid in my bed pretty much all day, only getting up to get food or go to the bathroom. My dad didn't want me on my laptop, so he took it away. He wanted me to study instead.

But I didn't really study. I kept my physics notes out in case he checked on me, but I was more in my own head than reality. I had a ton to think about. There was Kayla, my bullies, my grades, my tailbone...

My door opened, and I looked up. It was Kayla!

"Hey!" I said, sitting up.

She waved at me, closing the door. She came over to me. I pulled her into my arms.

"Thanks for coming over... And coming to the hospital yesterday... I was bored, and I missed you."

"I missed you too, Riker."

I smiled, and hugged her tighter.

We pulled away from our hug, and I kissed her.