In This Life (Sequel to 'In Another Life')

19

She nodded. "Yeah, of course." While my body was stronger than it had been when I first woke up a week ago, I was still pretty weak. Pain had set in my muscles because I hadn't used them in so long. The doctor said it was a good thing I woke up when I did, because there was only so much that they could do to prevent muscle dystrophy, which is basically just my muscles shrinking in on themselves from not being used. Usually muscle dystrophy was caused by a combination of diseases that kind of attacked the muscles, but it also happened when the muscles weren't used for a while. Honestly, I'm not sure about any of it, because I wasn't listening very well when the doctor started talking about the medical stuff. I was too busy watching Colby. The way he had subconsciously fixed his hair just the right way, the way he started twisting his helix piercing, the way the tattoos on the back of his arms would flex when he would cross his arms, the way he stood, just so casually but dripping sex at the same time. God really spent more time creating him. The trip to the bathroom was painful, causing me to cry out several time and tears to spring to my eyes. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry," Denise said, trying to make sure that I didn't fall as I hobbled to the bathroom using my walker. "It's not your fault Neece," I replied through gritted teeth. "You're not even touching me." "I know, I know, but I don't know what to do. I hate that you're having to go through this T. Almost makes me pissed off at J all over again." I laughed just a little, hissing through my teeth when the movement hurt. "It's not his fault Neece. You know that. It was my fault for lying. If I hadn't lied, the accident would've never happened. This is my penance." "Whatever," she said, rolling her eyes. "It was an accident, no ones fault. You keep reminding you and you keep reminding me, deal?" I nodded, as I reached the bathroom door. "Yeah, okay," I replied, reaching my hand out to open the door. Embarrassingly enough, Neece had to go into the bathroom with me, because I couldn't take my pants down and things like that by myself. She also had to make sure that I didn't fall when I tried to do these things myself, because she knew that I would. Once I was finished, and made my way back to my bed, I was in so much pain, I wanted to cry. My friends saw it in my face, but they didn't comment on it. They continued to talk and laugh, and act like nothing was wrong. I was grateful for that, because they knew that I would break down if they paid attention to my incapability. Kenzie got up and left the room, bringing me back some prescription strength ibuprofen and a bottle of cold water. While they watched the movie, my attention was focused on my breathing, and not moving until the pain finally lessened. When it finally did, I was able to enjoy the next half of the movie with my friends. I looked around at them, and smiled. Where would I be without them? If they had never forgiven me for being a complete and total idiot with my relapse, I was scared of where I might be. And Justin. My heart ached when I thought of him. Strangely enough, it wasn't the same type of ache that came from me missing someone that I was in love with. No, it was more of just missing his company, and the friendship that we shared. Was I healed? Was the romantic love that I had for him gone already? Or had it slowly been dying out ever since Colby came back into my life? When he came over to sit with me, it was going to be interesting to see how my heart and body reacted to him. The movie was ending and I laughed at my friends as they got up and started doing the dance to the Backstreet Boys famous "I want it that way" song. "Did you have fun?" Kenzie asked, smiling at me. I nodded. "Of course I did. Thank you guys for spending time with me. I've missed it." "We'll always be here for you T. No worries. Now get some rest. Corey and Dev will be here when you wake up." I shook my head, bewildered. "That still blows my mind," I replied. "Devyn doesn't even know me and Corey barely knows me. I don't understand why they're doing this for me." Sarah rolled her eyes at me. "Oh shut up T. Even if they don't know you that well, they know Colby. They know how he feels about you. That automatically makes you part of the group. It's how it works." I was quiet for a minute, thinking about how these people that I used to watch all of the time, just accepted me into their lives. Even taking time out of their lives to help take care of me. It was amazing to me, and I was so happy that they were these genuinely nice, good people that I had thought they were all those years ago. "I told him that I loved him," I whispered, twisting my fingers where my rings use to be. I really needed them back. I would have to remember to tell Neece to get them from Justin for me. "YOU DID WHAT??" Sarah screeched, jumping on the foot of my bed. "OW FUCK Sarah!" I screamed, bracing myself after the first wave of pain hit me from the movement of the bed. "Oh shit T, I'm so sorry!" She cried, automatically freezing from her spot on the bed. "Are you okay?" Neece asked, putting her hand on my shoulder. "Yeah," I breathed out. "Just hurt a little." I looked at Sarah, and noticed that she had tears in her eyes. "S, I'm fine. No big deal." I smiled at her, trying to reassure her. I knew that she hadn't meant to do it.