Winning Skylinn

27

Once I stopped crying, my mom and I left the hospital. We went to the bookstore, and my mom bought me the books I wanted, but I really wasn't in the mood to read. I was too shaken up over seeing Jonny.

My mom was right. I didn't want to see him like that.

What a great start to the new year.

I decided to take a hot bath. But then I remembered, I had a broken leg. I couldn't submerge it in water. Wasn't life great?

The worst part of not being able to bathe was that I felt completely disgusting. Not only was I stained with tears, but my eyes were swollen and red, my hair was greasy, and I smelled like BO and sweat.

"Do you want something to drink?" Mom asked. She was standing outside my bedroom door.

"Sure," I replied.

It had been kinda hard going up the stairs, but it wasn't too bad. Still, I wondered if I would have to sleep in the living room for the next couple months while my leg healed, so I wouldn't have to struggle with the stairs.

When my mom returned with a mason jar of Dr Pepper, I asked her if the doctors had said anything about my bathing schedule.

"You should be able to take a shower tomorrow, but you have to put your cast in a plastic bag so it doesn't get wet," she told me.

"Oh. Okay, thanks." I took a sip of soda. Somehow it didn't taste as good as it usually did.

"Can I get you anything else?"

"No, I'm good."

"Okay. Holler if you need anything. I'll be downstairs."

I nodded and took another drink. I reached for my phone, to text Denver, but as soon as I had the text all written out, I remembered where he was. Boot camp. Most likely without his phone.

I erased the text and turned the power off.

Meow.

I looked where the sound was coming from, and saw my kitten, Mistletoe, sitting there on the floor. In all the craziness of the past two days, I'd forgotten all about her.

"Mistletoe! Come here, baby." I patted the bed, and she jumped up next to me. "Hey, girl. How ya doin'?"

She touched her front paw to my cast, and I giggled despite the circumstances. "Yeah, that thing sure is weird, huh? Don't worry, it won't hurt you." She nuzzled her nose against the hard, black material, and I grinned.

Thank God I finally had a pet to keep me company.

- - -

Later, when I was feeling a bit better, I picked up my phone to text Jake. I hadn't even bothered telling her about the New Year's Eve party.

There were four messages from her.
1. Hey what are you doing tonight?
2. Hello?
3. HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! 🎉
4. Okay seriously, where are you?

I texted her back, Hey just got back from the hospital. Call me.

Almost immediately, my phone started ringing.

"Skylinn?"

"Hi."

"Skylinn, hey! OMG, it's so good to hear from you! What's this about the hospital?"

"Um. I was in an accident."

"What?! When?!" she screeched. "Sorry, didn't mean to scream."

"It's okay," I said, laughing. "I went to a party on-"

"You went to a party?" she interrupted. "Who are you and what have you done with Skylinn?"

"Seriously, dude, stop joking," I said. "I need to tell you this."

"Sorry. Go on."

"Jonny and I went to a party on New Year's Eve. It was kind of last minute, whatever. Anyways, we get there and it's all these people from high school. And then his friend Leo-you know him-tries to kiss me!"

"What?!"

"And that's not all. So after I shoved him off, I went to go find Jonny. And then we left, and he told me that he got drunk. Or at least drank."

"Really? That doesn't sound like him."

"I know! And he almost had sex with this one girl-"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hold the phone. He did what now?"

"Okay, he didn't actually do anything. But he almost did. Apparently. And he was crying and stuff, and we I guess got in a fight, because all of a sudden, this car comes out and hits me!"

"Oh my gosh, are you okay?"

"I have a broken leg, but I'll be fine. It's Jonny I'm worried about." I bit my lip nervously.

"Why? What happened to him?"

"Um. He wasn't wearing his seatbelt, and he got thrown out of the car... And now he's in a coma or something."

"A COMA?!"

"Yes. And-Oh, Jake, you should've seen him. He's so pale and broken, and-" I started crying, unable to finish my sentence.

"Hey, hey, it's gonna be okay. I'm sure he'll wake up. That usually happens, right?"

"I don't know. I'm just really worried, Jake."

"I know you are. So am I, but I believe it'll all work out for the best. I'll be praying."

"Thanks." I was so unbelievably lucky to have her as a friend. "I love you."

Saying the words brought me back to that night in the car. When I'd told Jonny I loved him. I was glad I'd done it. You've gotta say it, before it's too late. Because you never know when it could be your last chance.