Freshman

Why's it always football players?

Jeremy's POV

I am so stupid. Why do I keep doing this to myself? She's got that jacka**, why would she need me?

They wouldn't let anyone but Dani's family see her yesterday night, so I woke up early today to go and visit. I'm drive down the street, close to breaking the speed limit. This would be a horrible time for a police officer to randomly show up considering I don't even have my full license. What hospital did they drag Dani to again? North York I think? Hopefully, it'd be kinda awkward to show up at the wrong hotel with all these balloons....

Seriously though, why the hell didn't the ref do anything? I'm pretty sure causing someone to go to the hospital is frowned on, no matter the sport. Idiot doesn't deserve those stripes.

I hope Dani's ok. She took quite the beating, looks like broken ribs or something similar. I'd know, I've been in a similar situation. Hurts like nobody's business. I pull into the hospital's parking lot, scanning the sea of cars for a parking spot. Finally I find one, which is unfortunately as far as possible from the hospital. Typical. Why is it I always have the worst luck?

Once I've finally wrangled the balloons out of the back seat, a bag of Wunderbars clenched between my teeth, I jog over to the hospital. I had to dodge a couple of cars in the process and was the recipient of a few rude hand gestures, but eventually I made it. I'm slightly uneasy as I walk up to the receptionist's desk.

"Is there a Danielle Jones here?"

"Hold on one second sweetheart." she answers, popping her gum and eyeing my balloon bouquet. "Yup, she's up on the 2nd floor, room 21, hallway B."

I smile at her awkwardly. "Thanks."

I walk down the hall, awkwardly shimmying around medical staff and well wishers, my balloons taking up a lot of the hallway. I take the stair so I don't bug people in the elevator. Eventually I make it to the second floor, and I move down to room 21. Taking a deep breath. I open the door. The sun streams in the window, illuminating Dani, making her look like an angel.

"Hey Jeremy." Dani says, smiling at me. It lights up her face.

I smile awkwardly back. "I thought you might like balloons instead cause it's kinda stupid to give someone flowers. It's like 'hey, I'm glad you're alive. Here's something that'll die in a couple of days to show my love for you.' It sounds more like something you'd give an enemy, like as a threat." I ramble awkwardly.

Smooth Jeremy, real smooth. I groan and she snorts.

"Thanks Jeremy, comparing flowers to death always manages to cheer me up." she laughs and I feel my cheeks turn beet red.

"Speaking of flowers...." I start and she raises an eyebrow. She pulls her blankets up. I take a seat, and drag it to her bedside.

"What?"

"So your middle name is Rose?" I ask and she groans."Yeah, it was my grandmother's name. Laugh all you want."

"No I think it's pretty." she laughs. "Oh it's pretty alright, just doesn't express who I am, so naturally I detest it."

"It's beautiful."

"Thanks for the balloons." she changes the subject.

"Hey, how could I not?" I ask and she laughs again.

"Well it's very sweet, and I appreciate it. My family hasn't arrived yet, and Will had to go watch his sister so I'm all alone." she reaches out and takes my hand. I gulp at the touch.

"It's nice to have some company." she smiles, and I feel a shiver go down my spine.

"Well I...." but I can't speak, I'm lost in her eyes. Of everyone in her family that I've met, she's the only one with gray eyes. I wonder why that is....She isn't speaking either, just barely holding my hand.