Just Your Average Girl

Chapter 14: Chris

Chris

"Let's go. I need you to do something," My mom demanded obedience in every syllable. I said goodbye to Marquel and climbed into the front seat. Richelle, Damian, and Greg climbed into the back seats of the eight seater SUV. Mom dropped off Richelle, who lived next to her family's store, then Damian, who lived a few blocks away from us, and last, Greg.

She drove us up to Crenshaw Valley Hospital where she worked. As we walked through the doors, we were immediately surrounded by faculty, patients, and newscasters. I was confused why there was such a crowd. A tug on my shirt brought my attention to a bald little girl, who I figured was Mary. She opened her notebook to a page that read 'Autographs.' I signed the page and didn't bother asking her why. The smile that appeared on her face was enough of an explanation for me. I picked her up and carried her on my right shoulder. She held tightly onto my hair and hand, grinning at the other patients. Soon I was surrounded by a throng of young patients, all of them excited to see me. I felt so light hearted around them and I kneeled down.

"Do you guys want to hear a secret?" They started to listen intently and I could see all the newscasters try to listen in amongst the children. I smiled and whispered, " I'm just your everyday girl, just like how you're a normal girl and he's a normal boy. But the thing that makes me strong is that I refuse to give up." I pulled out my dog tag and pointed to one of the kanji. "When I moved back to America from Japan, my grandfather gave me this dog tag he made as a parting gift. Each symbol is a lesson he taught me. This one means forgiveness. I want each and every one of you to remember that you can always stay angry with someone, but it will never benefit you. You may feel justified, but that person can move on, while you sit there feeling hurt"

They all gave me confused faces and I smiled, "When you guys get older, it'll make much more sense." I got up and saw my mom wave me over. I moved quickly and silently, so I wouldn't have to deal with the newscasters.

"Marleni, I need you to go to the third floor, room 316 to talk to Chris." I stared at her perplexed.

"Mom, didn't you say that I couldn't?" We went into the elevator and waited to for it to reach the third floor.

"Well, I figured you'd still be mad at him, but you sounded sapient and very forgiving. His family's not here, so maybe you can get some gratification." I still stared at my mother, wondering why she would want me to talk to my ex boyfriend. "I don't like that he hurt you. But I don't want you to continue thinking that the injury was your fault. Talking to Chris would help you both move on."

Of all the people in my life, only two were amazingly wise in my opinion: my grandfather, a sensei of a dojo, who I called Shishō, and my mother, the nurse and ex marine. I held a lot of admiration for my mother, and what she told me sounded like the best advice I had gotten in a long time. "Gurache, mama."

There was a ding and the elevator doors opened. We walked to room 316 and my mother let me in, closing the door behind me. The sunlight came in through a window that took up the whole wall. There were two beds in the room; one was on the farthest side of the room, while the other looked occupied by a lump. The lump sat up and I saw Chris sit up and squint at me. My heart beat a little faster at seeing his handsome face. The romantic feelings I had for him came back, but the animosity followed.

I took a deep breath and sighed, "Hi, Chris." His eyes must have adjusted because his eyes opened wide and his mouth was ajar. "Marleni? Marleni Madison?"

"Yeah. It's been awhile." He shook his head and sighed, "I knew that nurse looked familiar. It was your mom who brought you here, right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I told a nurse that I wanted to see you..." he glanced a me, his dark brown bangs falling into his eyes, "So I could apologize. I hurt you and I damn well deserved that beating." I gave a bitter laugh. He did betray me.

When we were dating we both trained at the Olympian's Ring. During a spar, I accidentally told him where my weak spot was. I didn't know that he had a girlfriend who just happened to be my nemesis in every martial arts competition. When we competed, she used my Achilles heel, and I lost the championship to her. I had my revenge in a rematch, and I beat down both her and Chris. For some reason, he went into a coma soon after from some kind of trauma. I thought it was because I hit his head so many times in the fight.

"I'm sorry." His voice brought me back from the recollection. "I shouldn't have used you like that and you didn't -- don't, deserve to be treated like that." He put his hand on my cheek, and I unintentionally relaxed into his hand. I blushed, feeling my heart beat louder. "Isn't it my fault you're here?"

He looked into my eyes, his dark brown ones contrasting my light blues. Then he laughed. "That wasn't even your fault!"

"What?"

"My girlfriend, Chari, did that. We got into a fight, and she banged my head into the concrete when I walked away. She was so mad after you beat her that she went wild. She's actually in anger management classes now."

"My God. This whole time-" I laughed with utter relief. "Chris, thank you." I hugged him. After a while, I felt his arms wrap around my waist, returning the hug. We laughed for a good moment when a nurse came in to bring him lunch and paused in the doorway. My cheeks felt slightly warmer than the rest of my body. A burden was lifted as I turned to leave.

"I'll see you later?" he asked. I turned and smiled, waving goodbye and nodding in agreement. At least that worry was over.