Twenty Øne Reasons to Live

Chapter Twenty-Eight

My Point of View

We got outside, and I couldn't help but just stand there, admiring the.........vastness of it all. All the buildings, the people, the places, the noise- it was overwhelming, sure, but I was with my best friends and they seemed to quiet all of the noise.

"Ready?" Josh asked, looking at me with a smile.

"Bring it on," I replied, returning the gesture.

Tyler hailed a taxi, which was more like a van, to fit all of us, and we climbed inside. Jenna helped me quite a bit, so the transition wasn't so awkward with my crutches and all......I really hope this thing won't take forever to heal.

"So Josh, you're not going to explain your phone call,are you?" I asked, nudging him.

"Oh look, your phone is ringing!" he exclaimed.

I rolled my eyes and then answered it.

"Why haven't you texted me at all?!" Sarah's shrill voice bared across the speaker, and I had to pull my phone away from my ear. Tyler and Josh both laughed. She continued to say something, when Josh took my phone.

"Hi, Sarah."

I heard- well, we all heard her scream, then yell at Jenny to get over there because Josh Dun called her.....uhhhh, not exactly, Sarah.... He handed it off really fast, and I tried to get her attention.

"Sorry I haven't texted, we've just been busy."

"No stupid excuses, 'lil sis. How was the show??"

"Really fun, but Josh ripped his alien mask..."

"Aww that totally stinks! What are you guys doing now?"

"We're in a cab, on our way to some mystery trip in the city- Josh's handy-work," I replied, now using my shoulder to pin the phone to my ear. I was pulling some gloves on.

"Wow!! Hey listen, you better text me, okay??"

"Okay, I will. Bye!"

I looked to the guys, and they both shrugged. "You gotta text her, dude." Josh laughed.

So, I took a few pictures, then re-situated myself to accommodate to my foot more.

We got out a few minutes later, and walked into a huge store. Josh said we'd have to do some shopping before the surprise. For what, I have no clue.

"Okay Kid, you go with Tyler and Jenna."

"Why?"

He colored. "Because I have to.....take care of something. It's chill, don't worry. Go with Tyler."

I smiled to myself, knowing he probably had to pee. Hey, I told him to go before we left... "Okay, whatever weirdo."

"You know what to do?"

Tyler nodded, and then lead us further into the large department store. Getting lost in a place like this would be easy. I suddenly felt like I was a child, needing to hold on to Mommy and Daddy's hands so I wouldn't wander.

Tyler dropped us off in the winter department. He told us to pick out a hat, scarf, and gloves. So whatever we were doing we were doing it outside.

"So, do you know what the heck we're doing?"

Jenna chuckled. "Not at all, sweetheart. But they usually know what they're doing- they know how to show people a good time, I wouldn't worry about it."

My eyes were immediately drawn to a black beanie, with a white pattern woven in and out. I smile, and picked it up. I felt a small tickle in my throat, and attempted to cough it out. I looked at the price tag, and then about choked.

Quietly but quickly, I placed it back in it's place and wondered if that price was even legal for a hat. IT WAS JUST A STUPID HAT!

Jenna found a nice one, but she couldn't find the pricetag. "Darn!" She frowned. "And I really like this one, too..."

"Is there another one like it?" I suggested. Maybe that would have a pricetag.

"No, it's the last one!"

"Oh, well, I think I saw somebody who works here around the corner, I'll go check!"

"No, no, not with your leg..."

"I saw something I liked over in that area anyways, it's really not a big deal. Really."

She gave in, and I hobbled over where I saw the employee. But first, I stopped at the clearance section and grabbed the first black hat I saw, then worked my way to the man in the navy blue shirt.

He took the hat to the front to check the price, and I stood there awkwardly waiting for his return.

Out of no where Josh almost crashed into me, as he turned a corner and we both laughed but his has a nervous twang to it.

Then I saw what he was holding...

An ominous smile crept on to my face, and he squirmed. "Josh...why are you buying a big pack of socks?"

"Because Tyler forgot to pack his."

Wow. He'd throw Tyler under the bus that fast. I leaned on my crutches sideways and gave him a crooked grin. "You forgot to pack socks didn't you? YOU- the packing police."
When
He hung his head. "Yes."

"And I didn't forget anything did I?"

"No."

"Okay then we're done here," I dismissed, grinning. I began to walk back to where I had been, craning my neck in search of the worker, who hadn't yet returned. Josh trailed behind me, but stayed silent. "So....who's Katie again?"

"So...have you found anything yet?" he asked. Man, he wasn't going to spill with this one. Something about him not wanting me to know, made my desire to know greater.

"Yep, I still need to find a scarf though. But first I have to wait for this turtle of an employee to come back with Jenna's hat..."

"Well go look for one, I'll track him down."

"You sure?" I knitted my brow.

"I'm sure, go on, Kid."

XxxxX

When we all got back outside again, Josh just kinda stood there, scanning the entire city it seemed. He showed his hands in his pockets and leisurely sighed. "So..... waddaya guys wanna do?"

"Erm, I thought you had a master plan, there buddy..." I pointed out, slipping my beanie on. It was nippy out here.

"I do, and it's when the sun goes down. Which isn't until five more hours. Then we have to be back at seven for soundcheck. What do you wanna do in the meantime??"

"I think our guest of honor should choose," Tyler said, smiling warmly.

I looked down to my shoes, and thought of something that would be fun, but inexpensive and something everyone would all go for. "I dunno, I'll think about it."

My stomach growled as Josh turned his nose up and took in a deep breath. "I smell snow..." he muttered. He was such a romantic sometimes.

"What is that some kind of superpower?" I teased.

He sniffed again, entirely ignoring me. Probably the smart move. "I also smell lunch."

"I could eat..." I replied, hoping my stomach wouldn't cry out again.

UPDATE I AM SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG IT'S ALMOST SUMMER BREAK I HAVE A LOT OF WORK TO DO AND NOT A LOT OF FREE TIME BUT I LOVE YOU ALL AND I WANT TO THANK YOU FOR 10K BECAUSE THAT IS INCREDIBLE TO ME. STAY ALIVE AND FIGHT ON FRENS!!!!!