Within You

nine.

My aunt and I arrived at the stadium in full Quakes gear. I was excited. Finally, my first game without an oxygen tank. I walked into the gates, Al greeted me with a smile. "Hi Kylie, finally no oxygen tank huh? He's going to be excited to see you!" He exclaims, scanning my ticket.

I smile and thank him. My aunt and I walk toward the dugout. "I'm going to leave in the 3rd inning okay?" She mentions.

Cody was walking back when he noticed me and ran over. "Baby, you didn't tell me you were off the oxygen!" He exclaims, kissing me through the protection net. "Hi Stephanie!"

"Hola hijo, good luck!"

I see him smile at my aunt, and then he looks back at me. "I love you gorgeous, I got to go."

I smiled and sat in my ticketed spot. The game started with a bang the Quakes seemed to be scoring home run after home run. Cody playing his absolute best.

I stood there waiting for Cody to come out of the clubhouse. It was an off weekend—which is good after a big win. Cody and I were going to spend the whole weekend together down in Anaheim. My phone started ringing. "Hello?" I greet.

"Kylie," Lexie's mom cries.

"Mrs. Ramirez?! What happened?" I question, my voice trembling. Please, don't say it. I thought to myself.

"Give me the phone, what's up bitch?" Lexie hoarsely greets me, I can hear her gently laugh. "I missed you, why aren't you here? No wait, are you at Cody's game? Is he playing with the Dodgers? Are you at the stadium?"

"I'm in Rancho," I sob quietly. "His game just finished."

"Hey baby, what... what happened?" Cody appears, putting on his jacket.

"Hold on Lex." I pull the phone away from me. "She woke up!"

"She did?"

I nodded. "Hey girl, how are you feeling?"

I can hear her laugh ring. I missed it. "Dude, I'm sore as hell. They're about to run some tests, but get over here!"

"I will."

She quickly hangs up.

"Do you want to go?" Cody asks me. "We can stay in LA."

I nod and hug him. "She's awake."

"She's awake," he repeats, kissing the top of my head.

The drive to LA was silent. My cold hand was intertwined with Cody's veinous right hand, the other clutched to his steering wheel. I was anxious to see Lexie. As we pulled into the hospital parking lot, my breath started to quicken.

"She's alive," Cody begins. "No need to be nervous, I know she's been in a coma for months."

I grabbed his hand as he closed the door behind me. She's alive. I hated hospitals with every part of me. The automatic doors flew open and I entered into the chaos. "Let's hurry," I tell Cody, tightening my grip on his massive hand. I hastily pressed the elevator button, waiting for the doors to let me into the quiet box.

DING! The doors open to an empty elevator, a peaceful ride to Lexie's room. I lay my head gently on his muscular arm, taking a deep breath and sighing. Cody ends up putting his arm around me, brushing through my hair.

The elevator opens on the fifth floor. I took a deep breath before exiting back into the chaos. Cody grabs my hand as I lead him toward the hallways where her room is.

"Kylie," Lexie's mom greets with a hug. "Hi Cody." She directs her attention back to me. "She's looking for you."

I smile and walk in noticing her sitting up on her phone. Her brown hair draped over her shoulders. "Hey."

Her hazel eyes quickly look up and a smile grows under her pale pink lips. "Bitch! Cody! What the fuck!"

I smiled and sat at the edge of her bed. "I'm sorry Codes, can I have time with her please?" She hoarsely questions. Cody smiles, "I'll be at the gift shop."

She waited until he left and looked at me. "How's the Rancho life? My mom told me you live there with your aunt Estafania."

"It's boring, I'm still taking online classes. It was just complicated after the accident."

She shook her head. "It was a day, I just remember being thrown out of the car and that's it. How's Tara and Paula?"

I gulped and let out a heavy sigh. "Paula is paralyzed from the waist down. The car apparently hit the median, so she was crushed under the dashboard. Tara..." My voice trails off.

"Did she pass?" Her voice fades as she grabs my hand. I nodded in reassurance. "Yeah."

"Fuck. How were you?"

"I was bad. I had extensive physical and speech therapy. Two collapsed lungs, paralysis on my left leg which got better and I'm stronger. I was on oxygen for months!"

"Okay. I don't want to talk about it. I've missed you! How's life with CodyLove?"

I smiled. "Girl, being so close to him in Rancho has been amazing and I'm so thankful for him. I'm just so glad you're awake. I missed you."

Lexie grins and let's out a sigh, coughing a bit. "Having the ventilator is a bitch! They said I have to wear the stupid cannula for a week, but that I'm pretty much breathing on my own. Discharged next week."

"It's okay, I got discharged two weeks after the accident. I'll be here as much as I can."

Lexie shrugs, "It's no problem, I might have to move in with you anyway. My parents have to go back to Europe."

"You should move in. You remember my aunt's cooking?"

Lexie smiles. "Of course, how could I ever forget. Those enchiladas she made after I broke up with Nick, those were it!"

Her smile fades thinking about Nick. "Well, I'm happy you guys worked out in the long run."

"I'm happy you're awake!"