Max

Chapter 12

Hours went by and James still hadn't woken up. I started to get worried, even though Doctor Parker said it was normal. Sidney tried comforting me, but it didn't work. I kept worrying.

Rich came by the hospital with George later that night, around nine. They were just stopping by to check in, and they left after about fifteen minutes.

"You should really eat something, Max," Sidney implored. "You must be starving."

"I can't even think about eating, Sid," I wearied. "I need to know that James is going to wake up, and I need to be there when it happens." I buried my face in my hands, on the verge of tears.

Sidney put his arm around me. "Can I tell you a secret?"

"Not now," I whined. "I don't want--"

"It's about that boy I like." I looked up at him, tears in my eyes, and saw that he was crying too. "I think I'm ready to tell you who he is."

I sighed. "Fine, but if he's a jerk, I'm not gonna support you."

"He's not a jerk, he's one of the sweetest guys I know. And he lets himself be vulnerable and insecure, and asks for help when he needs it." He laughed. "And he likes to make fun of me, which I guess I deserve."

"Sid, just tell me who it is already," I professed.

"Wait, there's more." He cleared his throat. "He had the most beautiful green eyes, and a contagious smile. He doesn't think he's attractive, but to me, he looks like an angel."

"Sidney--"

"Alright, one more thing. I can tell him anything about me, and he'll never judge. He lets me come over at two in the morning, and gives me hugs in the chorus room." I had a moment of realization, but Sidney spoke again before I could say anything. "I really love him, Max. I love him so much."

"Sidney," I exclaimed, my voice shaking. He smirked.

"Figured it out, Sekowski?" I nodded, tears pouring out of my eyes. "Want me to say it for you?" I laughed, and he did too.

"It's me, isn't it?" I asked.

He smiled back at me, pulling me close and looking me in the eyes. I blushed, and he wiped my tears away. "It's you."

And then he kissed me.

It felt strange kissing my best friend, but it was an amazing feeling. All this time I didn't know I liked him so much, but he made me realize how I was feeling all along.

When we stopped, we looked at each other, smiling as wide as we could. After a moment, we both burst out laughing. "I can't believe I just did that!" Sidney lilted. "I've been waiting to do that for ten years!"

"Sidney Alder, you can't be serious!" I grinned. "There's no way you wanted to do that in second grade."

"Are you gonna argue with me, or are you gonna let me kiss you again?" He raised an eyebrow.

I cracked a smile. Sidney always knew how to make me laugh. "And Isabella called Rich and George the power couple," I joked, planting my lips onto his. It felt good knowing that somebody loved me like that.

"He still didn't wake up, huh?" Doctor Parker came into the room the next morning to check up on James. I was getting even more worried, but Sidney held my hand and assured me that everything would be okay. We had made our relationship official the night before, but still didn't tell anyone.

"Is it normal to take this long?" Mom asked.

"Oh, it isn't uncommon, don't worry." Doctor Parker took out his clipboard and wrote something down. "I'm just gonna check his vitals and then I'll be out of your hair."