Extant

Chapter 2

"This is how you're spending one of your last days here? Wake up!" Kelley yelled, causing me to jolt and making Ali wake up in the process. I let my head fall back on the pillow. This girl needs to take a few chill pills.

"Ughhh, Kelley." is all I said. I heard her mock me. I put my arm over my eyes and stretched out my body a bit. I looked over to Ali who was already about to fall back asleep.

"Oh come on, I've found an even better thing than a party here." she said. I looked at her like 'oh yea?' and she seemed to have gotten the message. "I got some details about a party that DB is throwing."

"Yea I know what party you're talking about." I said before she could go any further. I used to dominate that party.
Hell, I ran that party.

"Hey, you don't look so good." Kelley said, making me look at her. She shifted her eyes to Ali who was fighting sleep. Getting her blood drawn is always hard when she already lacks red blood cells.

"I'll take you back to your room." I said, getting up and back into my chair. Ali groggily moved to the edge of the bed and sat in my lap like earlier, only this time with her arms around me. "I'll be back." I added, earning a nod from Kelley.

I got to the elevator and went down a few floors. I got to her room to see her older brother Kyle in there. He came over to us and lifted her on to the bed that he preheated.

"Thanks Tobin." he said while flashing his big smile. She snuggled in to the warmth. I couldn't help but slightly smile at this girl.

I love her.
I'm not in love with her.
But I love her.

Even through everything she's been through, she still finds a way to smile. She's one of the best things that's happened to me. I don't think I'd be here without her.

I waved to Kyle and headed back to my room. When I got there, Kelley had out what I like to call 'The Case'.

"Come on Kelley, we're not actually going to that party." I said, scooting the briefcase back with the wheels of the chair. She picked it up and put it on my bed.

"Yes, we are. Now just put it on." she said. I shook my head and she groaned. "Come on, do it for me... no, do it for yourself. You need to live Tobin, you aren't going to be in here forever."

I let out a sigh. She's right. I can't just isolate myself, I need to get out and do things. I open up the case and there it is.

My prosthetic leg. I hop on the bed and start attaching it to my tapered off knee. Kelley started pumping her fist.

"Alright! That's what I'm talking about!" she exclaimed. I smiled slightly and shook my head again. I swear this girl.

I slid off and stood up. It's uncomfortable since I rarely use it. I haven't learned how to walk like a normal person with this so I started limping around the room. I got changed into something a lot more presentable to the public. I went for my crutches when Kelley gave me a look.

"You shouldn't need them should you?" she said. It depends honestly. I guess I won't be doing anything crazy so I should be fine without them.

"Uh, Kel? I think we have a problem. You don't have a car." I said and she stopped. I could hear her mumble what I'm guessing is a curse word. She walked out and I followed. We got outside and waited until a man came out.

"Hey, could you give us a ride somewhere?" she asked him. He stopped in his tracks and laughed at us. He looked like he was in a gang, not to follow stereotypes but you could probably imagine.

"Oh yea? What for?" he said smirking. He was looking us up and down, mainly Kelley. It was pretty disgusting actually. I looked back at the hospital, ready to just go back to my bed and not worry about anything.

"Look mi amigo, I'm just trying to get the crippled kid laid." she said making me look at him. I gave him a smile and he looked back at Kelley. He then looked at me and I pulled up my pant leg to show him.

"Alright, but don't expect a ride back." he said, and Kelley started following him. She can't be serious right? This guy's a complete stranger. I can't leave her now.

He lead us to his car and I reluctantly got in the back. For half of the ride it was silent. Kelley seemed completely relaxed while I'm on edge.

I started judging his driving, of course. Not a smooth turn. Stopping way past the line. I wasn't the most perfect driver but I was safe.

"So what even happened to you, kid?" he asked, looking back at me while at a red light. I guess it doesn't really matter if I tell him or not.

"Cancer." is all I said. He shook his head slightly. I started messing with my phone until he spoke up.

"Well, you've got a full head of hair so that means you must have gotten a lot better a while ago." he said trying to lighten the mood.

"Yea." is all I said. My hair grows really fast which is great, my hair is a good length past my shoulders. I was still wearing a beanie with my outfit, but it's because I like them.

We got to the party and he told us to be safe. He's actually a pretty nice guy.

Little lesson, don't judge someone by their looks. I know you've probably heard it but it's true.

We got to the driveway of the large house. The party has always been here at Hope Solo's house. Walking to the door I saw Solo herself.

"Tobin?" is all she could get out. I kind of haven't seen anyone from school since I magically disappeared. At first people tried to get in contact with me, but I was at such a low point I didn't want to talk to anyone.

My life was swiped away from me and replaced with emotional and physical pain. It was weird seeing her again. It will be weird seeing everyone again.

"Dude, what the hell! You weren't responding to anyone! What about try outs, you weren't there, everyone was worried." she said quickly. I almost couldn't understand her. She then quickly embraced me. "Where have you been?"

"In a hospital." I said quietly. She pulled away and looked at me. Her eyes shifted to my body and I could tell she was confused.

"For what? What happened?" I swallowed hard. It's not always that easy to tell people you went through a shit ton of problems.

"I got cancer." I said and paused. She had no distinguishable expression. That happens a lot when people hear that certain word. "In my leg."

"But you got surgery to remove it right? Just a scar on your leg from the mass, you might be able to play again!" she said excitedly. I tried hard not to lose it right there.

"No. That's not how it went." I said, lifting up the pant leg like I did for the man from earlier. Now there was a facial expression. She was shocked with a hint of probably sorrow. I bit my upper lip and let the fabric fall back down.

"Oh my god Tobin... I'm so sorry. I didn't know... why wouldn't you tell anyone?" she said in a softer tone than usual.

"I just didn't want to be reminded of what I had to leave behind."

-----------------------------------------------------------
A/N:

rip tobins leg. she could probably kick ass at soccer with 1 leg tbh