The End

Chapter 12

"You can see them now." The nurse says as she steps in front of Calvin and I.

For the past few days Calvin has been making me come to the hospital every day after school to see Ross and Maria, and today is the first day we're allowed to see them.

I haven't thought a whole lot about Ross since I learned about Casey and everything he was hiding from me. If Kelly hadn't entered my life Ross would be my main concern, and I kind of feel bad that he isn't.

I mean, he was shot and I was the only one who would help him. He was the only one in school who was nice to me and even considered being my friend.

"Who do you want to see first?" I ask Calvin.

"We should go in together."

"Why?" I ask.

"I don't want you alone with either of them."

"Again, why?" I ask.

"It's just better if we're together, and don't ask me why." He says.

I just want a second alone with Ross, but I don't know if I should act like I don't know anything. I feel like knowing what I know now will make things awkward between us. I don't know what I want anymore.

"Calvin, I know you want to see Maria first, and I want to see Ross first. Why can't we just go separately? I won't even talk to him about any of this. He probably just needs a friend right now." I say.

"He wouldn't want that,"

"Why?" I ask.

"He told you to tell us to tell you everything, which means that he wants you to trust us. We can't go talk to him just yet, we need to sort some things out with you beforehand."

I roll my eyes, realizing there's no way I'm going to win this fight. I follow Calvin down a hallway and he stops outside of a door.

"I don't think it's a good idea if you come in." He says.

"Then why did I need to come with you? Why can't I just go see Ross?" I ask.

He's been acting weird ever since he told me about Casey, and I've noticed. Before he seemed more genuine in wanting to help me, now he seems like he wants to get rid of me.

"Just wait here," he says.

He can't talk to me like that. He's not the same person he was. He's hiding something from me. I roll my eyes and go to Ross' room a few doors down, according to the nurse. I stand outside the room, hesitating to go in. I can do this. Just go talk to him.

I open the door and softly close it back behind me.

Ross is neatly laying on the bed. The blanket doesn't have one wrinkle in it, his arms are laying on top of the blanket by his side, and his head is slightly angled towards the ceiling. The steady beep of the heart monitor and the soft hum of the other machines fills what would be an awkward silence.

Ross doesn't react to me entering the room, giving me a small cue to leave.

"Hey," he moans, "Cal?"

"No, Shane." I say.

"Sh-Shane?" he says as he opens his eyes and slowly angles his head so he can see me.

I walk to the side of his bed. He follows me with his eyes and doesn't say anything when I get to his side.

"What do you know?" He asks.

"I know why you were shot. Ross, I'm so sorry." I say, wanting to avoid Kelly altogether.

"You know that's not what I'm talking about." He says seriously. His voice is weak and quiet, but he's still serious.