More Than Friends

Chapter 23 - Sore

I ended up staying at the hospital that night. I couldn't leave knowing there was a possibility of Johnathan waking up while I was being bored out of my mind in English class or something.

His parents went home to get some sleep. I told them I would call them when Johnathan wakes up. My mom brought me clothes to the hospital so I wasn't walking around in pajamas all day and a toothbrush. I was honestly shocked that she was letting me skip school to stay here with Johnathan.

Once I changed, I placed a kiss on Johnathan's forehead and I went to go find a coffee station. Luckily for me, it was only around the corner. I poured a cup and placed the lid.

I took in its warmth holding in between my hands. The hospital was freezing all the time. I was glad my mom packed me a sweater.

I took a big gulp as a nurse tapped my shoulder. "Are you Cameron Taylor?"

I nodded, my mouth full of coffee. "The gentleman in 3809 is asking for you." She gave me my message and was on her way.

I placed my coffee on the station and ran to the room. I got to the door frame and there he was, his beautiful hazel eyes staring at me. He tilted his head and smiled, dimples and all.

"Hey, there sweetheart."

Choked up, I whispered "damn you" as I quickly walked to his bedside. I threw myself onto him, wrapping my arms his neck. He groaned in pain but hugged me back. I could feel him smile against my neck, my tears hitting his shoulder.

"No no no no! You can't cry. I told myself I wasn't going to make you cry again."

"Too late." I sniffed and laughed.

I sat up and he wiped the tears from my face. "Stop it, I'm fine. Just a couple of bruised ribs and concussion apparently."

"What- what happened? The police couldn't tell us anything because you've been unconscious."

"Where's my mom and dad?"

"Oh, I have to call them. I told them I would once you woke up."

"You met my parents?"

"Well yeah I did when I was nine but yes, I met them again. I just have to say, I love your mom. Your dad, though, I see where your anger comes from."

I walked over to my bag and picked up my phone so I could text his mom. "What did he say to you?"

"I don't think he likes the, oh how did he put it, OH the 'high school fling' that almost got you killed."

I turned around to a very angry Johnathan, his bruised cheeks turning red. He was no longer looking at me. He was looking at the foot of his bed, trying to control his breathing. It probably hurt his side with every breath he took.

"It's not that big of a deal. I'm ok with people not liking me but I'm definitely going to keep my distance. Speaking of, I wouldn't listen to the messages I left. I called you an ass multiple times."

He let out a deep laugh then grabbed his side and grimaced. "Sorry! Note to self, don't make a person with broken ribs laugh. I texted your mom. She's texting your dad and they should be here in like 15 minutes."

"Well, I'm glad your here. What a great way to wake up."

My cheeks got warm. I sat on the side of his bed tracing the cuts and bruises on his face with my finger. He flinched when I touch one of the bruises so I pulled away, but he placed my hand back on his cheek. I guess he didn't mind the pain.

"You're not leaving are you?" he asked staring at my lips.

"You have no idea how bad I would love to stay-

"But.."

"But I've got to go. Me and Jaylen have a Student Gov meeting. We're planning prom!"

He laughed at my fake enthusiasm trying to pretend he wasn't in pain. "I don't want to go but I'm going to before I kill you for real this time."

"This wasn't your fault, Cam." I shrugged it off but then realized something.

"You never answered my question, earlier. What happened?"

"You're going to be late for your meeting, go."

"Johnathan-" I wanted an answer but he wasn't giving it to me.

"Gooo!" He made a shooing motion with his hands. I grabbed my bags and my phone which had a text saying Jay was here to pick me up.

"When I come back with Jay I want answers."

"Yes dear."

I playfully stick my tongue out at him and made my way to the lobby where Jay was waiting for me. "I don't know if I should hug you or not."

"Oh, please no hugging. I've been hugged so much, I'm over it."

"Well, how is he? What happened?"

"He has a concussion and some bruised ribs. As far as what happened, I don't know." I was embarrassed that I didn't know. I'm his girlfriend, I should know what happened to him.

"What do you mean you don't know? Did nobody tell you? He didn't tell you?"

"Nope. But after the meeting, I told him you and I would come back and he said he would tell me then."

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We got to school and talked about balloons and DJs and budgets for prom. Who was going to get decorations, who was going to get this, who was going to get that? It was mentally exhausting. The only thing i was focused on my if Johnathan was ok. I checked my phone consistently.

After nearly three hours of prom talk, we got to leave. Right when I thought we had a break, Katherine our secretary popped out of nowhere. "Hey, guys!"

"Jesus Christ..."

Jay elbowed me and whispered "be nice" before she could get too close. Katherine Stein is the most upbeat person I know and it makes me sick. Nothing pisses her off. Last summer, her boyfriend cheated on her with not one but two different girls and she said it was "God's will" and that it had to be for a reason.

"Oh hey, Katherine."

"I heard about your boyfriend. Oh, Honey, I hope you're ok. I hope he's ok. My whole family and church are praying for him." She was rambling on and on for what seemed like forever before I tuned back in and realized her lips had stopped moving.

"Uh thanks, we're actually on the way to see him so we've got to get going."

"Oh Ok! Well tell him I said hi!"

"Mhmm!"I nodded before sliding into Jay's car and slamming the door closed. Jay started the engine and pulled out of the parking lot.

"How the hell did she know about Johnathan's accident? And did she call me 'honey'?" She kept her eyes on the road. She shrugged her shoulders and laughed. "I was going to ask you the same thing."

"Which one? John or the 'Honey' thing."

"Both, actually. She creeps me out. No one is that happy all the time." I acted freaked out and shivered. Jay laughed at my exaggeration as my phone buzzed.

"You know her mom is like the PTA Queen so Johns mom probably mentioned it or something, who knows."

She parked the car and took the keys out of the ignition and stopped laughing. "Was that you or me?" She picked up her own phone to check but it wasn't her phone.

"It was me...come on."

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What do you think happened to him? What do you think put him in the hospital?