Heal my Heart

Chapter 16 - Prom Night

Grizz spent the next few days working on the assignment list with Allie, Cassandra, Becca, Gordie and Sam. He was so happy to be able to stay near the deaf boy that he even forgot about his recent unpleasant encounter with his brother.

After everybody got to work on their assigned job, Grizz joined Kelly at the hospital.

"Hey, Kelly ! Anything new?" he greeted her.

"No, nothing for the moment, that's good news. By the way, are you still in the guard now that you're also working here?"

"Yeah, I just have fewer shifts and I'll just leave if you need me here. Hum, Kelly...there's something I need to ask you."

"Yeah, what is it ?"

"I know you made an inventory of everything we have here and their general use. Did you find any medication related to heart conditions?"

"Hum, yeah I have a whole shelter related to heart medication. Why you ask?"

"Look, I have a heart condition and I take medication for it but I'll soon run out of it. The thing is I don't really want everybody to know I have a weak heart...They already worry enough about me on a daily basis."

"I'll see what I can find. And don't worry, I won't tell a soul. But, you know that even here, we have limited resources... What will happen to you when we run out of heart medication?"

"It's fine, I'll just have to be extra careful not to get worked up and I should be fine. Thank you, Kelly, really appreciate it."

"You're welcome, Grizz." she answered smiling.

Then finally came prom night. Grizz and Sam had started seeing each other more frequently and the two boys couldn't be happier. Grizz was trying to sign some nonsense but he didn't care if he was being ridiculous. It was worth it, only to make Sam laugh. He had the most beautiful contagious smile he had ever seen and the most mesmerizing blue eyes the world had created. As they were quietly laughing together, Luke came to them.

"Grizz ! They're letting us have a free stage, come on, man ! It's been so long since I heard you sing!"

"Hum...I'm a bit busy here Luke." Grizz answered, sad his special moment with Sam had been disturbed.

"Wait, you can sing, Grizz?" Sam reacted.

"Just a bit, but it's been ages since I sang something in public like that."

"Come on, I'll play the guitar, dude ! Just like we did back in the old days, it's gonna be so fun!"

"I'm not sure, Luke..." Grizz tried to escape the embarrassing situation.

"Grizz. I need you to go on that stage and to sing. If you don't wanna do it for yourself or the people here, do it for me." Sam said, smiling to a now blushing Grizz.

"You can't even hear it, Sam..." Luke said carefully.

"Remember, colors?" Sam said to Grizz.

"Okay...if you want it so badly, I guess one song won't hurt."

"Great ! I'll get the guitar ! What are you gonna sing, by the way?"

"I have just the song." Grizz replied playfully.

They got to the stage and Grizz whispered Luke the song's name. It was a bit old and foolish but the Avril Lavigne song was just perfect for what he had to say. The music began. Grizz sang the first verse and then came the chorus.

"This innocence is brilliant,

I hope that it will stay.

This moment is perfect,

please don't go away.

I need you now

and I'll hold on to it.

Don't you let it pass you by..." Grizz gently sang, looking straight at Sam. The latter couldn't take his eyes from the wonderful warm happy colors emanating from him.

"It's so beautiful it makes you wanna cry !" he lipped-synch in unison with Grizz.

They were far from each other but both felt so close. At this moment, Sam knew he would do anything for the man singing in front of him. He would go anywhere, run into the forest if they had to, only to spend the rest of his life with Grizz.

A single happy tear escaped Grizz's green eyes. He felt as if nothing and no one could hurt him anymore. As if he suddenly was all alone with Sam in this giant world, invincible and strong.

"This moment is really perfect" he thought.

As the music faded, everybody started applauding the duet, breaking the intense connection between the two young men. But they knew better.

"That was a great song, Grizz." Sam said, walking to him.

"Thank you ! I was just being sincere and honest." he smiled to the deaf boy.

"Congrats Grizz, it was really a beautiful song !" Becca continued.

"Thanks, Becca." he answered gently.

"You know, I was thinking... You and Sam used to take dance classes, right?"

"Yeah."

"I was talking with Gordie about cultural stuff and I thought that maybe Sam and you could give dance lessons for those who want to. That would be awesome !" Becca explained.

Sam looked at Grizz with a hopeful and excited face.

"Well, I'll see if I can slip it in my schedule but it's a great idea, thanks Becca !" he said, smiling at Sam.

Everybody went home, but Grizz didn't want this evening to ever end. He just had had the best night of his life and the only one to thank for it was Sam. Now he couldn't see what could go wrong anymore, he had Sam and this simple fact would satisfy him for a life time.

As Grizz slowly fell asleep, still happily smiling, Cassandra never made it back home.