Accessory Wars

Chapter 15-Ki

            We sat talking on the terrace for an hour. We talked about Jay, Derek delving into hilarious stories from their past. I pointed out some of Jay's weird habits and it put Derek into a fit of laugher. We briefly touched on school life before college and I talked a little about my ambition to work in the art field. By the time we realized our fingers and toes were numb, we found the negative energy inside of us was pretty much gone.

We moved inside, stamping our feet and rubbing our hands until their feeling returned. Then we checked in the with nurses' station to find out how Jay was doing. He had been moved to a recovery room. We headed up a floor, finding Jay sleeping. Derek and I waited for him to wake up but the doctor came back before then. He politely asked us to come back later as Jay needed a MRI.

With nothing to do but wait, Derek and I went to the cafeteria. Neither of us were hungry, or at least Derek pretended he wasn't hungry, so we found a booth in the back to nurse cups of coffee. I sent a text to my group of friends to let them know what happened to Jay. Reagan called about two seconds after I hit send and I assured him he didn't need to rush to the hospital.

During out wait, Derek and I talked some more. Topics ranged from grade school to my struggles in college to football practice. We chatted for two hours before going to check on Jay again. He still wasn't back so we ventured down to the gift shop. For as nice as the hospital was, the gift shop was rather lackluster. I read every card in there twice and Derek started to fiddle with the kid's toys. Derek bought a candy bar when we left, although I think it was more for appearances. He nibbled on the corner and threw the rest away before we boarded the elevator.

Our next attempt to see Jay proved successful. We managed to flag down a nurse leaving his room and she told us Jay was fine He needed bedrest but there was no permanent damage. I watched a weight leave Derek's shoulders and I felt relieved too.

We poked our heads into the room and Jay looked up. He sat on the bed with his glasses off, eyes still bloodshot. He seemed on edge as he sat ridged. Derek stepped in first, going to Jay's bedside. They spoke in hushed voices while I moved to lean against the wall. I got the feeling I wasn't welcome with the looks Jay kept shooting me. I noticed Jay kept his sentences short and vague when he spoke. Derek tried to offer him positive thoughts and encouragement but Jay deflected it. The atmosphere of the room dampened when Derek glanced at me, his eyes looking for a lifeline. All I could do was stare back.

"Ki and I checked out the gift shop but didn't see much," Derek said, his voice strained. I think he was grasping for invisible straws at this point. Jay's eyes slid over to me and I wondered why he kept regarding me with such hostility. I didn't think things went that bad at the coffee shop. Then again, I never was good at deciphering what Jay was thinking.

"Who's Ki?" he asked.

"Oh. Sorry, Yeong," Derek corrected.

"I don't want to talk to him."

"Jay. Come on. Don't do this. He helped you..."

"I didn't ask him to!" Jay spat. I pressed myself against the wall. I heard Jay upset before but upset at Derek? His best friend? Something was wrong.

"Jay, you can't be doing this again." Derek reached out and Jay smacked his hand away.

"Hey, if he doesn't want to talk, that's fine," I assured. I held up my hands to show I meant no harm. "I'll go. I'm glad you're alright, Jay."

Apparently, that was the wrong thing to say. Jay's jaw clenched and he bared his teeth at me. I'm not kidding. Derek turned on his heel and wheeled me out of the room before anything more could happen. We didn't stop at the hall. Derek escorted me all the way outside to the nearest terrace. Derek released me and walked to the edge. Then he let out a scream.