Just Hang In There

Chapter 13

(Jacob)
I woke up in a hospital bed. I wished I wasn't here. It was pretty embarrassing, but my mom urged the doctor to keep me here overnight just to be sure I was fine. And I was.
"How is your nose?" I heard her ask.
"Fine," I said sitting up. I looked over at the blinds on the window. They were closed, but some daylight was showing through the cracks.
"What time is it?"
"Two forty-five in the afternoon." I groaned and laid back down.
"Hey, the doctor said you could go today," my mom said.
"Can we go?" I didn't want to be here any longer then I had to. My mother hesitated but then agreed. I looked at her suspiciously.
"I brought you soom clothes. Go change and I'll meet you at the front desk." I nodded and shelleft the room. My mom brought sweatpants and a long sleeve shirt. I quickly put them on and headed outside. My mom was finishing checking out when I arrive.
"Have a good day," the lady at the front desk said, "Call us if you have any problems."
"Thank you," my mom and I said in unison. Then we walked out.
"How is dad?" I asked as we drove home. I knew something had to happen with him. The doctors probably saw the bruises on my neck and asked a few questions. Mom my also looked upset.
"He is in a rehab center now," she said in the verge of tears, "he will get better." I smiled.
"Isn't that good news? That means he won't bother us for a while," I said excitedly.
"Yes, it is sweetie. But lets not talk about it."
"Okay." My mom still loved this man, but didn't at the same time. I could see it tearing her apart on the inside. I didn't mention my father the rest of the ride.
"Now, I'll have to drop you off then go to work. Text me if anything happens," she said pulling up to the driveway. I felt the pockets of my pants and my phone was not there.
"Where is my phone?"
"Oh, here. I took it out of your pocket when I was getting you clean clothes. This guy kept texting you by the way," my mom said handing me my phone with a smile on her face. All the blood in my body rushed up to my face.
"Oh okay thanks. I'll talk to you later," I rushed. I jumped out of the car and ran into the house.

(Mark)
The one thing I hate about football is getting up early for practice. My alarm clock was screaming at me at five in the morning. I groaned and dragged myself out of bed and quickly got changed.
I grabbed a banana as I walked out the front door. I hopped into my mom's car and drove to practice. (I would use mine, but it had transmission issues and is in the shop.)
I got to practice a few minutes early. In the meantime, I texted Jacob. He probably wouldn't be awake, but I just wanted to talk to anyone.

Hey, you awake?

I didn't think he would be awake at five thirty in the morning, but you never know. I waited, but there was no answer.
So, I decided to stretch. Other teammates were starting to arrive.
"I hate early practices," complained Matt, my best friend on the team sitting down next to me.
"Gosh I know," I said.
"There is no point whatsoever."
"Especially on a Sunday morning." We chuckled.
"Okay everyone, huddle up!" bellowed my coach from now where. Matt and I look at each other, sighed, then got up and joined the huddle.
"Alrighty, for our warm up today, I want two laps around the field! You have twenty minutes!" Everyone groaned. Then we clapped and ran off.

By the end of practice, I was drenched in sweat. It was so bad I could squeeze sweat out of my shirt.
"Hey, you want to go get breakfast with Ed and me?" Matt asked.
"Where you planning?" I asked.
"The diner down the street."
"Sorry boys, but I have to pass," I said. I hated the diner but I knew they liked it. Plus, I wanted to hang out with Jacob a little more.
"Alright. See you next practice," Matt said. He looked disappointed while he walked off. I watched as they got in their car and drove off. Once they were out of sight, I texted Jacob again.

Just finished practice. Want to hang out around ten?

I waited for a response, but I didn't get one. I sighed, then got up and headed home. Traffic was pretty bad. About an hour later, I texted again since the road was basically a parking lot.

Wow, you sleep in. It's already ten!

He didn't respond again. I started to worry for some reason. Stop overthinking. He is probably busy doing some kind of work.
When I finally got home, I immediately took a shower. Before I got in, I sent another text.

You okay?

I jumped in the shower. The hot water felt good on my tense body. It made me relax.
When I got out of the shower and changed, I checked my phone. Still no response.

Did something happen?

I checked the clock. It was almost one. I felt like Jacob should of sent something by now. I desperately wanted to send another one, but forced myself not to. He probably thought I was some weird creeper by now.
Within the next hour, I made lunch and helped my dad fix a light that went out on our front porch.
Afterward, I decided to chill and listen to some heavy metal. Luckily, Bianca wasn't home to disrupt me. She had a play date with her best friend Juliana. I laughed to myself thinking what trouble they were causing right now.
I laid in my bed going in and out of consciousness for what seems like hours. Finally, I heard the familiar text alert. I grabbed my phone. Jacob had finally responded.

Sorry I haven't responded. I just got out of the hospital. What's up?