The Middle - Volume Two ✔️

Chapter 36 (Noah)

Noah

I remember this one time in grade school when I broke my leg. I was 9 years old, and the pain was overwhelming. I'd been riding my bike through the streets of New York City with Zach and some other friends, I wasn't paying full attention to the traffic, and I rode right out into the street in front of a yellow cab. The cab driver was super vigilant. He slammed his breaks on, so the car wasn't going that fast, but he still hit me. And I broke my leg. I'm lucky that's all I broke.

I'll never forget that, because it taught me a couple things. First, it taught me to be fucking careful when crossing the street. Second, it taught me that broken bones and time spent in hospital is something to be avoided. I hated everything about it. Obviously, I'm grateful that the doctors got me fixed up, but I never wanna find myself in that type of situation again. I wouldn't wish the pain or the experience on anyone.

I didn't ride my bike much after that. Actually, it's around the time I properly got into running. I was always a good runner as a kid, mainly in the interests of playing sports at school and running around with my friends. But when I got into running properly, it took over. I loved it, and I still do. It's part of the reason I never bothered getting a car. I mean, living in the City, it wasn't practical to drive a car anyway, but I'd rather run whenever possible. I got my driver's licence when everyone else did, but I didn't really like driving. I'll do it if I need to, but other than that, I'd rather run. Or stick to public transport.

I never wanna end up in hospital again, like when I broke my leg as a kid. And after tonight, I doubt I'm ever gonna drive a car again either.

***

Earlier, at the library.

I closed my laptop and looked up at John while rubbing my eyes. He was still engrossed in whatever studying he was doing, and Zach was still gone. I turned towards Aubrey and Kim's table and noticed both the girls were now gone too. I was convinced Zach had snuck off somewhere to talk to Kim. They'd both been on their phones constantly since Aubrey and Kim arrived, then when Zach told me and John he was going to the bathroom right after Kim got up from her table and left the library, I was sure he'd gone out to talk to her. Turns out he had, because the next thing I knew, the both of them were running into the library frantically calling out for help.

"It's Jamie!" Zach called over to me and John, "She's just crashed her car! Right outside! Come on!"

I was on my feet and out the door in no time. All the other kids that had been studying rushed outside too, but I got ahead of everyone, and as soon as I'd ran down the stone steps out front, I felt like I was gonna pass out. I could see the accident, but I had to get closer, because I couldn't see Jamie. I had no idea if she'd gotten out of her car or not.

I ran towards the road, eyes fixed on the scene in front of me. Jamie's car, completely totalled from the left hand side. The truck, smashed into the side of Jamie's car. Smoke everywhere. Debris from both vehicles laying around all over the road. I couldn't panic. I had to just get there and make sure she was okay. I could hear people behind me shouting out things like "has someone called 911!?" and "an ambulance is on it's way!" and "why hasn't anyone gotten out of the car!?" I ignored every voice and ran straight over to Jamie's car.

The truck driver was crouched down on the ground, desperately trying to get the car door open. But it wouldn't budge. He was cursing and yelling, he was covered in blood and his face was cut up pretty bad, but he was okay. He got out of his enormous truck and came over to Jamie's battered car, tiny in comparison to his truck. I couldn't panic. I had to help.

I shoved him out of the way and started trying to open the door myself. Desperately. Because she was still in there. Her eyes were closed, her face was cut and covered in blood, and there was blood all over the windows of the car. I didn't know if she was alive or dead, I just knew I had to get her out of there.