Extant

Chapter 4

Today I woke up all on my own. No one was here to jump on my bed or shout at me. It was kind of weird. It was my last day and no one came to say hello.

I sat up in my bed, immediately reaching for the drawer of the bedside table. I pulled out the small bottle of advil. I didn't have any water so I guess I had to take them dry.

This should help with my slight headache. I decided that I should probably get up and get changed into something else. I threw on a Nike sweatshirt and basketball shorts. I haven't worn short shorts since the surgery.

Since basketball shorts usually go to the knee, they pretty much cover up where my leg ends. It's better for me and other people if it's not visible. I get the pity look a lot now.

I hate it.

Hate is a strong word, but I'm serious.
I don't want to be pitied, I just want to
be normal.

No prosthetic today since I need to wait for my leg to heal. I get into the wheelchair for what will probably be the last time. I'm gonna miss my hot wheels.

I unplug my phone and put it in the front pocket of my hoodie. I take off down the hall and to the elevator. I go to the lobby where Julien is.

"Hey Tobin, good morning. What's up?" he said enthusiastically. I took a clipboard and a pen and started filling out paperwork.

"I'm getting checked out today." I said, filling in as much as the info as I can. My parents will have to fill out the rest.

"Ah, that's great! I'm gonna miss you zipping around in that thing though." he said, typing something. It was probably to have my release on file.

I took the top form off of the clipboard and gave it to him. I then put everything back on the counter.

"Alright, see you later hun." he said giving me a quick wave. I turned and went back to the elevator. It was about to close so I stuck my left leg out & stopped the doors. They opened all the way and I looked to see Alex.

"Hey." I said almost like a question. She smiled at me and I wheeled in next to her. She pressed the button for the cafe and was about to press my floor when I stopped her. "No, I'm going there too."

"So uh... how are you?" she asked me when we got to the cafeteria. We sat down across from each other at one of the tables. No use looking at the menu.

"I'm fine." is all I said. I wasn't all too ready to tell everyone the details about my life. "I'm getting released today."

"Oh, nice. So am I after the detailed results come in on my leg." she said, her voice trailing after the word 'leg'. "I'm sorry, I didn't-"

"It's fine, really." I said. That's partially true. We sat in silence until we ordered.

She was always so relaxed. Now she seems like one sudden movement will kill her. I decided to tell her I went to the party.

"So last night was Hope's party." I said and she nodded. She probably wanted to go. Or maybe not, I don't know. "You must have had people visit you because my friend found out and sort of dragged me there."

"Oh. So you caught up with some people?" she asked after a sip of her water. She seemed cautious.

"Well, mainly Hope. Told her about the cancer and everything. You know how it is though, everything spreads through the school within a day." I said with a laugh. She swallowed hard. "What?"

"Did you hear about anything?" she asked. I was about to speak when out for arrived. We dug in.

I should tell her I know she's gay. It's the best thing to do right? It's not like I'm against her being gay. She doesn't know I am. Maybe we can swap information.