Thad Harwood walked the halls of Thurston High School everyday in a world of silence. Locker slams and dumpster dives made up his day. He read all of the slurs thrown his way; fag, lady boy, pillow biter. He couldn't hear the words, but it didn't make it less painful or hurtful.
Thad was standing at his locker after the last bell, grabbing the books he needed to do his homework that night. He was hoping all the jocks had left for the day, running at practice or at home playing video games. He couldn't hear the herd of jocks approach him, laughing and jeering and planning his demise.
The jocks stood behind him and lifted him up, carrying him outside towards the dumpsters. Great, now Thad was going to walk home smelling like trash. They threw him on the ground near the dumpster and starting beating him up, kicking him and laughing. He couldn't see the things they were saying to him.
One boy pulled out a knife and started carving letters into his arm. Thad was thrashing around, trying to free himself from the hold that the athletes had on him. He was crying, praying for the pain to end. Someone must have walked out of the school because the boys stopped laughing and ran away, leaving Thad bleeding on the ground. He was having a hard time staying awake while he watched a blurry person come running towards him, yelling and screaming.
~~FLAD~~
The only thought flitting through Thad's mind was where am I?He could hardly open his eyes and it smelled like antiseptic. The sheets around him were scratchy and not his. He could feel the bed shaking around him and it was centered near his side. If he could just open his eyes! He felt like a weight was lying on his chest, and something under his nose was making nose feel weird.
His slowly gained control of his eyes, forcing them open to see the bright room he was in. Everything was white and unfamiliar. It looked like a hospital room straight out of a movie. Thad moved his head to the side, looking at his mother sitting in a chair beside her bed, crying on the bed. He tried to get her attention, and tell her stop crying. He couldn't figure out why he was even at the hospital. His arm was bandaged and he felt a burning sensation when he breathed.
A man wearing scrubs and a lab coat walked into his room holding a clipboard, chatting with Thad's mum. Thad's brain was so groggy, he couldn't figure out what he was saying from lip reading. He thought he caught "ribs" and "fracture", but he couldn't be sure. He'd have to ask his mum after the doctor left, if his hands would move.
The man, assuming he was the doctor, turned to around and waved to someone out of the room. A lady walked in, turning to Thad and waving. Hey. I am Annaleigh, I am going to translate for Dr. Miller.Thad smiled and nodded, just wishing he knew what was wrong with him.
Dr. Miller started talking rapidly and Annaleigh started signing.Thad, you have 3 fractured ribs, your arm was severely lacerated, and a concussion. Do you have any questions?
Thad took a breath and started signing,how long will it take for my ribs to heal? Also, when can I return to school?
Annaleigh translated to the doctor, and Dr. Miller nodded. She started signing his response; we estimate that your ribs will heal in 8 weeks. It could take longer if you don't care for it properly. As for school, you can return in one week, just to make sure you allow your body a resting period. You can go home tomorrow.
Thad was relieved about the fact that he could go home tomorrow. He hated hospitals ever since he was 7. Bad memories and all of that jazz. Thad's mum got up and shook hands with the doctor, effectively dismissing him from the room. Annaleigh followed after. She turned to Thad and started signing, hey baby. How are you feeling?
I'm fine, mum. I mostly feel pressure and my arm itches really bad. Thad did not want his mum to feel bad about his injuries. He didn't lie, he simply sugar-coated the truth. His arm did itch, but every time he inhaled, he felt like his chest was on fire.
He just wanted to go home and have a pity fest, but somehow he knew his mum would not be leaving him alone until he was healed. This both comforted him and pissed him off. Thaddeus was in the mood for wallowing in grief.
~~FLAD~~
Thad, just sit in the damn chair so we can home already. Thad was ready to leave the hospital and he did NOT want to be wheeled out in a fucking wheelchair.
Mum, I am not invalid. I can walk. Thad was fuming. He just wanted to show that he had some sort of independence. No one likes to be babied. Annaleigh chose that moment to walk in.
Come on honey. The hospital requires that every single patient be wheeled out of here. It's to save their asses and to avoid lawsuits. She grabbed his arm and dragged him to the chair. Grumbling, Thad finally sat down.
His mum sighed in relief and started pushing the chair towards the hospital's exit and ultimately to the car. She helped him into the car and set off to their moderately sized home in Westerville. She would never tell Thad, but she had recently been looking into private schools to transfer him to. He wouldn't tell her, but she knew his school situation wasn't as good as he made it out to be. It couldn't be; not in Ohio.
She had her eyes set on Dalton Academy for Boys.
Now she had to tell Thad.