A second chance

Ice cream

            "Guess what today is." One of the nurses smiles enthusiastically. What could possibly be special about today?

        "Today's the day you finally get to leave." I didn't even realize it's been ten days.

        "Isn't that exciting you get to leave." She smiles. A slight smile forms on my face. Not a fake one though. The nurse notices this and also smiles.

           I walk outside of the hospital. I feel a slight breeze in the early summer air. I can't believe it's June already. Soon I'll be going to high school. Just the thought of that makes me feel as if I'm growing up too fast. Actually, yesterday was the last day of school. How'd I forget about that? *bing* I get a text from Jaiden.

          I was wondering if you're out of the hospital now. If you are wanna hang out sometime 🙂

         I text him back

              I just got out of the hospital, where and at what time would you like to meet up?

           He then replies with

         That's great that you're finally out 😀 how about we meet up at the ice cream place 🍦.

         That sounds amazing 😊. How about we meet up around 1:00.

             Great 👍🏼!!

         My mom then pulls up and I get into her car. I sit in the back seat to avoid eye contact. The car ride is filled with awkward silence.

           "So, are you excited to finally go home?" My mother asks looking back at me and then at the road. I put my head in my hand.

          "I guess," I reply. I guess I'm kinda nervous about what Jaidens gonna say.

         "Isn't it better than being cooped up in that hospital?" My mom comments. She's acting as If she didn't hit me with a book and almost drive me to my death. I hate it how she goes from acting like a terrible person to acting as nothing happened.

        "Yeah, I guess." I blurt. After that the rest of the ride is silent.

          I finally get home and as soon as I open the door Mai comes running up to me. She keeps on rubbing on my legs making me unable to walk forward. I pick her up and carry her up the stairs. I walk into my room and place Mai on my bed. I look at my phone. 12:24 I have to get ready to meet up with Jaiden.

           I walk over to my closet. There's nothing to wear and it's getting too hot for long sleeves. Should I just wear short sleeves or bear the heat and wear long sleeves? As much as I hate exposing my arms, the summer heat is probably my greatest weakness so short sleeves it is. I put on a dark red V neck T-shirt and some jean shorts. I look in the mirror. The outfit isn't bad but I have nothing better to wear.

          I sit on the bed next to Mai who is licking her paw and then rubbing her head with it. She then stops and rubs up against me and walks onto my lap.

          "Ugh, Mai now I have fur on me." I grin petting her back. I pick her up and move her off my lap. I then stand up and brush the fur off my lap.

            Walking down the stairs and into the kitchen I make a quick sandwich for lunch before heading out the door to go meet with Jaiden. Today's a great day. Barely any clouds and a perfect summer breeze. It would be perfect if the sun wasn't trying to burn me alive. I look at my phone 12:55 oh no I'm gonna be late. Good thing I don't live too far away from the ice cream place.

        I finally get there only 4 minutes late. I see Jaiden sitting outside at one of the tables. I walk up to him smiling

       "Sorry, I'm late." I apologize, sitting across from him.

           "no need to apologize." He insists "I'd wait centuries as long as I get to see you." I blush slightly at his stupid lies.

       "Ok, so what ice cream flavor do you want." He asks "and how many scoops."

         "I'll just have one scoop of strawberry," I reply. He then walks off and to the back of the short line of people waiting for ice cream.

          A few minutes later he comes back with a strawberry ice cream and a chocolate one. He hands me the strawberry ice cream and I take it by the cone and take a bite of it as he starts to talk.

           "So what happened." He suddenly gets serious "if you don't want to tell me you don't have to." I haven't seen him this serious. I guess he was really worried. I guess this wasn't just a prank or dare. He actually cares about me. I want to tell him but I don't want to wrap my problems into our relationship. I like how it is now. I don't really want anything to change.

        I then tell him about my parents and what I've been dealing with.

         "Wow, I didn't know you were going through this," he says, finishing his ice cream cone. "I'm sor-

          "No, don't apologize." I interrupt. "It's not your fault and you have no reason to apologize for what happened."

         "I just don't want to believe someone as amazing as you has to go through stuff like that." He sighs.

          "Don't worry, things have been getting better." I admit taking the last bite of my ice cream.

         "Well, tha-" he then gets Interrupted by the loud honking of a nearby car.

        "Hey, Jaiden, say goodbye to your girlfriend!" An older girl from inside the car yells. "Mom wants you and I have some things to do so hurry up."

          "I'm sorry that's my older sister." He assures me. "How about I introduce you to my friends sometime today or tomorrow. I'll text you further details." He then runs to the car and gets into the passenger seat. He's gonna introduce me to his friends ?!