20 Reasons Why We Met

Reason #8: It Wouldn't Hurt, Right?

It was getting late and I had to get home for dinner.

Alex and I exchanged goodbyes, and I left. But before I stepped out of the room, Alex gave me one of those charming smiles that melted my heart and made me feel like everything was going to be okay. No, it wasn't the kind that handsome boys used to charm girls, it was the kind a best friend would use to make their best friend feel okay.

I took a taxi back and looked out the window. Usually, I saw darkness and lonely souls wandering around the streets of Los Angeles, but today, I saw happiness and beautiful people soaking up all the love in the world. The same picture, but a different story tonight. 

It's amazing how one person could change everything.

And I'm happy that person was Alex.

I finally reached the familiar porch of my home, and paid the driver a $20 bill.

"Keep the change," I smiled and left the car. Well that felt good.

I bet Mom's family pot pie is going to taste extra special tonight. Kicking off my sneakers, I unlocked the door and entered my warm and cosy home.

"Hey I'm..." before I could finish my sentence, my eyes found my dad on the couch with a lady I had never seen before.  A classy-looking lady. She had hazel brown hair and her makeup was amazing. She also had a huge cast on her leg, with unfortunate scars on her face and body which no amount of concealer could cover.

"Home? Why are you here, dad?" my heart pounding as I shut the door with my foot, "Where's mom and Jace?"

"Oh hey, Lexa! They went out to get ingredients for the pot pie. This is my ex-student, Amelia!" he introduced the stranger, who smiled one of the kindest smiles I had ever seen.

"Right, but why are you here?" I narrowed my eyes at both of them. Dad hadn't visited us for a few weeks. He was always busy at work, and never really had the time to come back to check in on us.

"Well, you know although your mom and I are divorced, we still update each other on what's going on in your lives... and well, your mom told me she's worried about you. You've been acting distant, ever since the breakup, you know. So, I called over Amelia to just have a chat with you, see if you're okay," he replied.

I looked into Amelia's eyes. The only person who could have such an endearing and kind face is a therapist. Amelia was a therapist. My parents knew I was sick.

"I...I don't want to talk now..." I stuttered, my anxiety rushing over me.

"We don't have to talk now, Alexa. Just come over to my office tomorrow," Amelia stood up while holding on to her crutches, and handed me a blue name card, with her office address. "I'll be off then, Mr Abel. Goodbye, Alexa," she waved goodbye, as my dad walked her out of the house.

I stared at the card. Maybe I should pay her a visit, I mean, one visit wouldn't hurt, right?

________________________________________________________________________________

When Alexa left the hospital room, I sighed and leaned back against the hard and crusty hospital bed. It was torturous, having to sit here, staring at the four white walls of emptiness, and zone out until another day to see Alexa had come. It was so difficult.

"Hey, miss?" I called out to a nurse who walked by. Once I caught her attention, I cleared my throat and asked, "Is there anything I can do to entertain myself?"

"Well, there's the chill room. Emma is always hanging out there, maybe you could talk to her," she smiled a pleasant smile at me.

I nodded my head. Anything to gain human interaction again. She chuckled and helped wheel me to the chill room.

"Well, I'll leave you two be," the nurse said, before closing the door. And there, I was left with Emma. Her hair was dirty blonde, and it was tied into a big braid. She turned around, and wheeled herself closer. She had pretty blue eyes, and freckled cheeks. Her dimples were beautiful, she kind of reminded me of Hermione Granger.  

"Hey," she greeted, in a British accent.

And with that one simple word, our conversation lasted hours and hours. She had such a likeable character. We enjoyed the same Netflix shows and hated studying Physics. We both finished the whole Harry Potter series in less than a week, and we both loved being by ourselves. A nice quiet space where you could feel comfortable in -- that was our kind of space. 

"I was admitted in here last week, got in a car accident. Don't think I can ever play football again, unless I get surgery which would cost a hefty sum of money," she sighed.

"Hey, you'll be fine. You'll definitely become captain next year, I promise. A girl like you, can really achieve anything," I consoled her.

She lifted her head, and our eyes locked. It's like time just stopped, and we were the only ones in the world. Our heads inched closer to each other without realising. We were both thinking about the same thing, I knew it. She closed her eyes, and our lips were so close from touching. I leaned in a little more, and...

"Alex? Emma?" the nurse opened the door and called out to us.

The moment ended, and we pulled away from each other, as though we were super strong magnets repelling.

"It's time to go back to your room," the nurse said, as she prepared to wheel me back.

"See you tomorrow? Same time?" Emma called out.

I nodded my head, and headed back to my room. I never thought I would be able to make a new friend here. I mean, meeting new people, it wouldn't hurt, right?