The Summer of a Lifetime

chapter 32

The next day started off like it always did, I ate my breakfast, brought Lucas and Alexia with me to the baseball field, and Andrew walked with us along the way.

It wasn't until we began playing when things changed drastically.

The ball flew towards Andrew, but he wasn't paying attention to the game. He stared at the sunset in awe.

"Look out!" I yelled as loud as I could, but it was too late.

The ball hit him right in the head and he fell to the ground as if his body had given out.

I gasped and ran towards him, taking his warm face into my palms.

His eyes began to slowly shut and he began to black out.

"Andrew!" I yelled, but it was no use. He fell limply into my arms.

All of us picked him up and called his mom, who brought us all to the hospital in case he had a concussion.

My heart beat quickly as I took deep breaths. I could feel the tears prickle my eyes but I stopped them.

The ride to the hospital was agonizingly slow. I couldn't stop looking over at Andrew who we'd put in the seat.

His eyes were closed and he lay there so silently. It wasn't like when he was sleeping, because he wasn't. This could be something drastically more serious.

I tried to steady my breathing as I watched Andrew as he was carried in by the paramedics and rushed into a room.

They only allowed his mom to go in, and his dad who was contacted and arrived soon thereafter. I could sense the tension between his parents, but they didn't seem to care. They were only worried about Andrew.

The boys, Paige, Kris, and I all sat in the waiting room.

All of our minds were busy, but not a word was spoken for an incredibly long time.

I felt the tears in my eyes, and I wiped them away. I've got to be strong, I thought to myself as I nervously tapped my hands on my leg.

Suddenly, Andrew's mom walked through the door.

I quickly looked up at her hopefully.

"Kids, he's still unconscious, and he has a concussion. They say that he can be released from the hospital tomorrow morning, probably. You can all go home, and I'll let him see you all tomorrow," she said with a sad smile.

"C-can't I stay?" I ask softly.

"Ollie, I know you care about him, sweetie. You all do. But he's gonna be alright. You just go home and get some rest and try not to worry too much," she said in a kind voice, pulling me into a hug only a mother could give.

"O-okay," I spoke in a small voice, tears prickling my eyes and all of us left.

"He's gonna be okay," Xavier muttered, patting me on the back, "you're gonna be okay too. You feel like playing ball?" He asked in a brotherly voice, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

"N-nah," I said quietly, "I don't think Im up for it."

I walked away to leave, when Kris and Paige ran up to me.

"Hey, what do you say we have a sleepover? Just the three of us, huh?" Kris asked softly, her eyes gentle and her hand on my arm warm.

"That'd be great," I said with a small sad smile.

We walked to Kris's house, and though we did all of my favorite things, I didn't feel any better.

I could tell they were both worried too, I mean Kris loved her brother a lot. So we ended up getting in bed early, to try not to worry, but yet I barely slept at all.

The next morning, we rushed to get ready, and the guys came over.

We were waiting here until Andrew arrived home, and I tapped my fingers on my leg as I anxiously waited for him to get here.

Finally, we heard the click of the door, and Andrew walked in, looking exhausted.

"Andrew!" We all exclaimed, and I ran towards him. I pulled him into the biggest hug of all time and smiled as I pulled away.

He gave me a confused look, then asked a question that made all of our smiles disappear.

"Who are you?"