Twenty Øne Reasons to Live

Chapter Twenty-Føur

Josh's Point of View 

"Okay, so tomorrow is the start of winter break, right?" I asked. 

She nodded. 

"And your sister is staying with a friend and your parents have business trips, right?" Tyler said. We'd tag team this news. 

"Right, and that means I'm by myself..." she said, and quickly looked down to her arms, and if someone wasn't looking for it, no one would've caught that quick motion, and the sadness that just barely creased her forehead before fading. 

"Exactly. So....our plan was to hang around, and visit you every day or at least several times a week so you wouldn't have to be alone...-" 

"...-But, we only had a break this weekend, and we're back on the road tomorrow," Tyler finished for me. 

The disappointment on her face made me feel really bad. She blinked, and let out a large breath. "So, um, what's the surprise, then?" her tone was devoid of all hope and expectation. 

"The surprise is............well............" Tyler and I exchanged final glances, and I fought the smile that was practically forcing its way onto my lips. "That we're taking you with us." 

"WHAT?? HOW???? ARE YOU GUYS KIDNAPPING ME??" Kit rushed, smiling ear to ear. Wow, she was way too hyped about kidnapping. 

We laughed. "No, this is Mom and Pop approved!" Tyler said, giving her a thumbs up. 

She narrowed her eyes. "Did you drug them?" 

"Uhh, no. No, we just said that you'd be lonely, and that was an awful long time for someone of your age to be alone, and they agreed." 

"Well, the fact that Jenna will be there also helped," Tyler chimed in, smiling a little to himself. 

Her face was something I would never forget. If I thought it was even a possibility, I would've snapped a picture. But there is no chance in this world I would ever lose the memory of how her face lit up. I started the car, and glanced at her quickly, saying, "So, waddaya say, Kidaroo?"

"Thank you, thank you guys!" 

"Now, you wanna hear the catch?" I asked. 

"Oh no. What catch?" 

"We're taking you to the hospital to fix up your ankle right now." 

"No!" she yelled, her breathing picking up, and she frantically looked around for a way out. She tugged on the door to no avail, and I smiled to myself. "Why won't it work??" 

"Child lock," I replied, coolly.

"I hate you." 

"I know, but you can't come with us until you get that monstrosity checked out. It could be serious, Kirsten. We're just trying to help." I knew my words would mean nothing right now, but they'd sink in later, when she wasn't in immense pain from that nasty swollen thing. 

In my peripheral vision, I saw her cross her arms, pouting. But she wasn't saying no. "Fffffffffiiiiiiinnnneeeee," she seethed.   

XxxxX

"Okay, so you wanna know the fun part about tomorrow??" I rushed. 

Kirsten was on the exam table, a doctor looking and poking and prodding at her wound. "Mr. Dun, would you please try and stay out of the way? I will be done soon."