The Outsiders

Chapter 16- "Home"

Natalie's POV:

The morning after I came home, my mom helped me take a shower. We had to put a cover on my cast and she sat on the toilet so she could be nearby in case I needed help. My ribs still hurt a little but the doctor said they're healing well and I just have to be patient.

I hated being patient.

Luke was always constantly was saying sorry, and trying to do all he could to help me. He even has been carrying me up and down the stairs.

I was laying in bed staring out my window, it was pouring outside so I just listened to the sound of the rain hitting my window. I watch as each drop hits my window. I have always liked the rain. The way it felt as it hit your skin. It felt like such a relief. As if it was cleansing you. And maybe it was. Maybe its God's tears of rebirth splashing down on you. Or maybe its just what the scientists call it... water. But either way, I've always loved the rain. And as it strikes the lone window of my room, I'm reminded of my deep love for it. Whoever said only sunshine can bring happiness must have been an idiot.

There was a soft knock on the door and then Logan entered my room. On a tray he had a bowl of what looked like soup and a glass of water.

"I thought maybe you're hungry so I made you some soup."

He places it on the table next to my bed. I try to sit up, I groan in pain.

"Does it still hurt a lot, Nat?"

"Not as much as before."

"Its all my fault, I'm so sorry." Here he goes again.

"Listen," I said. "Can we have some rules here."

"Rules? I hate rules."

"We have to have some rules here."

"Okay, fine, so what are the rules."

"Rule number one: We don't talk about the accident. Not unless needed to. Rule number two: Stop saying it's your fault, accidents happen, there was nothing you could have done to stop it. Rule number thee: Stop saying sorry. "

"I'm not sure I like these rules."

"Too bad."

"Fine." He placed the tray in my lap and sat at the edge of my bed and we talked for a little while. He tried to pretend it didn't hurt him to look at me but he could never hide anything that he felt.

...

All week people have been visiting.

They bring food and flowers and all that kind of stuff.

People even have been signing my cast.

My mom hasn't really been talking a whole lot. She hasn't been sleeping either.

Logan's girlfriend stopped by today. She at first was really mad that he had been ignoring her but them he broke down in tears, she held him as he cried into her shoulder. My brother never and I mean never cries in front of people.

I went outside and sat on the steps to the patio.

Logan and Tess were sitting in the  rocking chairs on the porch drinking coffee and holding hands. I wondered what it was like to hold someones hand. I've cuddles and hugged both Mason and Elliott but i've never held someones hand. I bet you could sometimes find all of the mysteries of the universe in someone's hand.

...

Elliott would try to come over every day after school.

He'd bring me my assignments and mostly he'd talk about just about anything and I would listen. He would also sometimes read to me and cause of my damn head trauma I'm always falling asleep and when I do sleep, he doesn't leave, I'll wake up and he'll just be sitting at my desk doing his homework and watching me as I was sleeping.

...

Two weeks after I came home Logan drove me back to he doctor's. They did x-rays of my head, ribs, and my arm. My ribs were fully healed and they said that I would still be having headaches every so often but that the swelling in my head had gone down and that I should be fine.

They put a new cast on my arm and said in three weeks I would get it taken off and i'd be good as new only the thing is, I'll still always have one wound that can never be repaired, the hole in my heart from the loss of my dad. I might look the same but i'll never be the same.