Risking it All

22

Nick didn't come home that day. Or the day after that. Or the day after that. You didn't know how scared I was. But I wasn't giving up hope.
I didn't leave my room that week. I had to go see him, but Mom refused me to. I waited and waited, but Nick didn't come home. I ate about six bites of food, changed my clothes ten times and read The Fault in our Stars twice during those thirty six hours. Mom said I should go see a doctor. Or at least get out of my room. But I didn't.
Somewhere around seven o'clock on Friday my dad poked his head through my door. I was laying on my bed rereading the book again. I seriously needed to get a life. Chasing Cars by Snow Patrol played softly from my phone. I wanted to skip it, but I didn't. I couldn't stand the perfect love song rhythm to it. But you know, I had no one to listen to it with. "Mackenzie," Dad said. "Do your mother a favor and come join us." I didn't even look up from my book. "Why?" I asked. Dad came and sat down next to me. "Because you can't spend the rest of your life alone from the world. Bad things happen in life, but you can't ran away from them." He paused for a minute and waited for me to make eye contact with him. "And what are you reading that must be so important?"
"The Fault in our Stars," I told him.
"Is that the one about cancer?" I nodded. He turned to me. "Can you just please just come to the living room with us?" I moaned, but he raised his eyebrows. With a sigh, I got up and followed him down the hall to the living room. But as I stood in the doorway, I noticed Mom wasn't there. "Where's Mom?" I asked my dad, but he disappeared. I walked into the living room.
There stood Nicholas Straight, yes, standing, not in a wheelchair, holding a peach rose. He wore the same grey T-shirt he wore when I met him. That seemed like forever ago.
All I could do is stare. So many questions were in my mind, but all I could do is run up to him and hugged him. I never wanted to let go. I was so grateful for our relationship. I was so happy to have him. It was... Perfect.
Nick held is arm out to me, his eyebrows raised. "Would you like to come on a walk, Mackenzie Marsh?" he asked. I smiled. "How could I refuse?" I replied. Nick grabbed my hand and we ran out the door. What surprised me was that we didn't get in his car. He pulled me along and we walked all the way to our empty street. I laughed as I followed him down the road. "Where are you taking me?" I giggled. He smiled at me. "Just relax," he told me.
I had no idea where we were going until we got there. It was the field.
"What are we doing here?" I asked. Nick pulled me onto the grass. "Take off your shoes," he told me. Without hesitation, I flicked off my flats and started jumping around. Nick grabbed my hands and spun me around. I laughed as I fell to the ground. Nick ran around like the inner child he was. I laughed so hard. He would run and roll on the ground. I wanted to do a cartwheel. I wanted to, and I did. Nick watched in amazement as I flipped through the air and landed on my real and fake leg. And I landed without shame. This leg is my battle scar, and some scars are made to be shown and be proud of. Nick laughed as I fell down with him.
We sat under the tree and looked at the stars, this time we do see constellations. These are the stars that I can fathom, that are clear for me to shape. I leaned my head on his shoulder as he threaded his fingers through mine. Not needing anyone, we laid on the ground, holding hands, forgetting the world.
If I lay here, if I just lay here, will you lay with me and just forget the world?
"You okay?" Nick asked. I smiled. "Perfect," I whispered. How could I not be when I spend time with him?
Spending that night in the field with Nick made me realize something.
Love is a crazy thing. That's why we need it.