Aquiver (Sequel)

Settling In

Aquiver ~17

•Hayes Grier•

I listen to the monitor in my room with the main lights off and the small lamp is left on. My practice bag is on the chair beside me and I'm on my side with my eyes partly open.

The doctors had given me medication for the pain. It turned out that I bit my cheek hard to cause the bleeding in my mouth and I somehow sprained my pointer finger so it's in one of those metal cast with gauze with my middle finger to keep stable. Also to makes things better, I had a fever so it turns out I am sick.

My coach is somewhere outside the room speaking with the doctor when I hear a light knock to the door. I look up slightly as the door opens and Nash is the first one who comes into view. He walks over as Cameron closes the door.

"I heard what happened bro," Nash says worriedly. "You took a hard fall."

"I shouldn't have gone to practice," I answer lightly. "I wasn't going to, but since I was close by I decided to go."

"You're an idiot," Cameron says. "Why were you even close by in the first place if you knew you weren't feeling well?"

"I was setting up a surprise party for Char at her gym."

"You knew?"

"Jacob told me and I told him I was going to plan something nice for her." Nash takes this by confusion.

"You realize she's not getting back together with you, right?"

"I can't do something nice for her? I still love her."

"You love her?" Cameron asks disbelievingly.

"Cam..." Nash shoots him a look that this isn't the time to make me upset when I'm in a hospital bed.

"Sorry."

"I wanted to do something nice for her. I feel guilty for screwing everything else up."

"Do you want us to get her?" Nash asks uncomfortably. I shake my head and sigh to myself.

"She's probably at her celebration. I don't want to ruin that."

"How about after?" I look down at my sheets. They don't understand that Char wouldn't want to be here. That's what I think since I was a terrible friend and boyfriend to her. I don't want to guilt her to come here.

"I don't want her to know."

"At all? Hayes, You are going to be here up until the morning of your championships. She should know you're going to be here for a week and extra night."

"Don't let her find out then."

"She still cares about you even if you two aren't together anymore. I thought it would be nice to have her visit you." I close my eyes painfully. I want her to be happy. If she comes here it would only remind her of her pain.

"Please keep this away from her."

"Do you really want that?" I nod and start to feel myself getting drowsy. I yawn and pull the covers up.

Flashback #2: November 24th

"Hayes!" She she half smiles from her wheelchair. The two of us are in the living room as everyone is setting up for the Thanksgiving feast. This year we are having it here at the apartment because Char is living with us and she hasn't had a Thanksgiving dinner in a long time.

"What?" I half smile. I know she's really trying her best to be positive. It has been a rough few weeks after she was let out of the hospital. She misses gymnastics.

"You're making a mess." I shrug as I reach for her and carefully pick her up from the wheelchair. She wraps her legs around my waist and wraps her arms around my neck hanging onto me as I brought her over to the couch.

I kiss her nose and I watch the beautiful scene in front of me as she does her usual reaction. She is so pretty. She opens her eyes and looks straight into mine as I sat down and she was right on my lap.

"You're very handsome Hayes."

"And you're very beautiful Char. I can't wait till you see my mom, Will and Sky again. They're really excited to see you."

"I'm excited to see them too. It has been a few years. How old is Sky now?"

"She's eight, She'll be nine a few days after my birthday."

"I need to plan for your birthday." I smile up at her.

"Anything you plan will be amazing I'm sure. I could just cuddle with you all day."

"I love cuddling with you. Maybe we can cuddle tonight?"

"I'd love that," I smile. I lean over to kiss her passionately and she leans towards me so my back hits the couch. I felt her smile and I can tell that she's perfectly fine here with me as everyone did the errands. She pulls away slightly with her uneven breathing.

"You never fail to amaze me."

"I can say the same with you Char. I'm so thankful to have you." A big smile shows across her face.

~End of flashback~

•Charlotte Carpenter•

"That was amazing Char!" Eva walks over to me and everyone has cheered for me. "It's like you never stopped." I look down shyly feeling happy. This turned out to be a really fun celebration with everyone. Everyone is here to support me and we've celebrated while I got back into a few things.

"Thank you, I think most of my jitters are out," I smile. I look for Jacob and Grayson who are talking from a distance with cookies in their hands.

"Did you want to do anymore today or wait until Monday?" Tess asks coming over.

"I think I should stop now. I think I might be sore tomorrow. I should rest." They both nod and I decide to walk over to Grayson and Jacob. Grayson stops mid sentence and turns towards me with a small smile.

"How are you feeling?" Jacob asks me.

"I feel great. Maybe not in the morning, but I've had an amazing time today," I smile thinking it was nice to be surprised like this.

"Feeling tired at all?" I nod and yawn. Both Jacob and Grayson are smiling.

"We should get you home. You have a long day of getting ready for the dance. Eva and Tess are sleeping over tonight?" I nod and look back at the older girl's here. The younger team members had left over time since it was late and they still had school. There's about twenty of us here now.

"Eva and Tess can take me. They have their bags in their cars." Jacob wraps his arms around me and leans down to kiss my forehead.

"Alright, Grayson and I will get going then. I'll be at your house around five thirty?" I nod and he smiles. "I'm sure your mom wants to get pictures of you. Oh, don't forget to pack clothes for the weekend. Nothing too fancy and also pack comfy clothes and a bathing suit." Grayson smirks and I only smile tiredly and nod.

"I'm really excited for tomorrow Jacob." I hug him and he tightens his grip around me.

"I am too Char. You're going to love tomorrow." I nod as we both pull away and we exchange a few quick goodbyes before the both of them makes their way out.

~

Since it's my spring break... more pole vaulting and working on updates for Lassitude and possibly planning for some things (:

Next update: Wednesday