A Stroke of Serendipity

Chapter 4

Eli parked in front of DQ, by the time I unbuckled my seat belt, I could see Kelsey coming outside with a big box in her hand.

"Hey guys!" She said happily as she got into the car.

"Hi," I replied my voice hiding all the pain I was feeling, I turned to face her.

"You want to be dropped off at your house right?"

"Yeah I'll tell you guys the directions from here" Kelsey replied as we pulled onto the main road.

I held onto my ice pack wishing it would make my hand more numb, but sadly that was not the case. My hand was swelling and turning into a blue and purple colour. I sighed as I looked out the window, looks like this time Eli managed to hurt me again.

The car ride was silent and in fifteen minutes we reached Kelsey's house to drop her off.

"Thank you so much! I'm sorry for the trouble but you guys are life savers"
she said as she got out of the car. Waving at us just before she went into her house.

After silently driving for a few minutes Eli decided to speak,

"Do you want to get your hand checked out?"

"I will do it on my own time, thank you for asking" I spoke annunciating every word.

"Please do go back to your family function, I am sure many will be looking for you." I said, not looking at him once, keeping my eyes trained on the window of the car. I heard him sigh and murmur a few words as we drove back to his house.

I was in pain, lots of pain.

I got out of the car as soon as Eli parked and made my way inside. I put the ice pack back into the freezer. Once I was done I joined the guest in the foyer and ball room. Dinner was just starting, I was in no mood to attempt to put the food on my plate with my damaged hand. I decided to leave the ballroom and go outside. There was no point in staying inside when there was nothing to do.

I sighed as I slipped off my heels and situated myself on the hood of my car. I stared at the sky looking at the stars and moon. My hand was throbbing but felt numb. Looks like I'm alone again.

It felt like hours if me sitting on the car looking at the stars. I had leaned back so I was resting on the windshield before I was rudely interrupted,

"I've been looking for you." Eli stated, I continued looking at the sky ignoring him.

" Are you not going to eat?"

I sighed, "I'm in no mood to eat, besides my hand won't allow me even if I wanted to. So how about, you leave me alone." You have already caused enough damage.

I sighed as I heard him turn away and head back inside. I just want to go home. I continued looking up at the sky letting my thoughts consume me.

I should of just stayed at home or joined Kelsey and her family. I really don't want to be here. There is nothing to do and it is as boring as I said it would be. I aimlessly looked at the stars, oddly it calmed me and allowed me to gather my thoughts.

I could hear footsteps approaching the car. I didn't pay any attention to them as it was probably some of the guests leaving early or something. I continued lying on the hood of the car.

"Here," I head an all too familiar voice say. I looked towards Eli who was standing in front of me holding out a plate of food.

"No thanks, I don't feel like eating and like I said before it's going to be hard to eat with my hand." I replied.

"Then come inside, I have an idea." He grabbed my good hand and pulled me off of the car. I sighed and I slipped on my shoes holding the car for support.

I followed behind Eli and both of us headed towards to his room. I walked inside and looked around. His room was like mine, grey walls, plain white bedding, and a flat screen tv. The only difference was he had video games and other consoles under the tv.

"You said my room was ugly, your's looks literally the same"

"I was joking." He said looking up at me and then setting the plate on the bed side table.

"So what is your idea?" I asked,

"Come here," he motioned me to the bed, I walked over and took a seat at the edge.

"Can I see your hand?"

I lifted it up for him to see, the bruising had gotten worse and I could tell a finger or two was broken. I needed to get it checked out right away.

"I'm so sorry" he said,

I just looked at him wearily, I hated sorries, the only way I forgave someone was when they proved they should be forgiven.

"It's whatever" I said bringing my hand to my side.

"No, I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. I never meant to hurt you" he said sincerely.

I looked up at him, why is he acting so nice? This was not like him.

"It's okay"

"No, no it's not." He said instantly,

"Okay bro chill a little bit." I replied I kicked my heels off and got a bit comfortable on the bed.

"Here, eat this and I'll take you to the hospital right after" he stated putting the plate of food in front of me.
I looked at the lasagna, pasta and salad on the plate. I sighed, this was going to be struggle to eat with my left had only. I got up and situated myself on Eli's desk. Eli decided to turn on the tv and flip through some channels. I decided to eat the pasta first since it was easy to stab a fork into the pieces. The salad was harder but I managed. I didn't even attempt to eat the lasagna. I looked over at Eli was was still on his bed flipping through channels.

"Did you eat anything?" I asked,

He looked over at me, "No".

"Here eat the lasagna" I said going over to him and handing him the plate, "I don't want to eat it," I explained.

I walked back to my seat at the desk and leaned back and closed my eyes. I was tired, in pain, and bored, sleep sounded good at the moment.

I was drifting to sleep and was woken up by Eli shutting the TV off. I leaned forward about to rest my head on my arms when pain shot up my arm.

I clenched my jaw and groaned squeezing my wrist in an attempt to dull the pain. This caught Eli's attention,

"You need to go to the hospital, come, I'll take you. Meet me in the garage." He said before leaving the room.

I sighed and slowly made my way to my heels slipped them on and went downstairs. I quickly told my dad I was going out with Eli and was heading home right after. He agreed once he heard Eli was going to be with me. I quickly made my way to the car grabbed my wallet, handed the keys back to my dad and went to the garage.

Eli was sitting in his car waiting, I quickly walked over and slipped into the car. We were soon on our way to the hospital. This was going to be a long night.