Maddie didn't know how long it had been until she stopped crying. All she knew was that dawn had faded to dusk, and stars were popping out of their hiding place, waking up to greet the night. The girl's eyes were puffy, her vision blurry, making the world around her bend in a kaleidoscope of colors. Well, as much as colors could bend in this room of white. The girl crossed her legs, staring about and not really thinking about anything. She sat this way for quite a while, not daring to let her mind wander. She was afraid that if she did, she would start to cry again- Crying wasn't something Maddie liked to do very much, or did often. But eventually the girl came to her senses, and she realized how very pathetic she was acting. Annoyed at herself, the girl started wiping the tears away. It was time to stop acting like a little kid and start doing something. Sighing, Maddie got up and walked towards the only window in the room. She watched the outside, wondering when night would turn into day and she could get out of here. Funny, Maddie thought. Weren't hospitals supposed to be like, comfy and inviting? In the girl's mind, you coudn't describe this place in a worse way. It almost made her want to laugh at the irony. Really, this whole situation she was in made her want to laugh. Rolling her eyes at herself, Maddie resumed in staring out the window. Nothing, not even the slightest hint of daylight appeared. How late was it, anyways? She had no idea- there was no clock in the room. Oh well. She'd just keep staring out the window then, until-
"You're still awake? I thought you'd be asleep by now."
Startled, Maddie turned toward the door, where she had heard the voice. She couldn't see who it was since there was no light in the room, but the voice sounded familiar to her.
"Colin?" The girl asked.
"Congratulations. You win five points." The boy responded, obvious sarcasm dripping from his words.
"Nice to see you, too. But, uh, why are you here? Isn't it late... Actually I have no idea, for all I know it could be eight at night. Either way, you still have a reason for being here."
"Uh, yeah." Colin cleared his throat and, even though she couldn't see him, Maddie could sense the embarrassment coming off of him.
"Yeah?" Maddie asked, prodding him.
"Nothing. Look, I don't really know why I came in here anyways-"
"Yes you do, liar." Maddie muttered, interrupting him.
"Yeah, whatever. But it's bad timing anyways, so I'll just leave and let you-"
"No, stay." Maddie spoke again, interrupting for the second time. "It gets boring around here, ya know?"
Colin seemed surprised by the answer, but he obliged and walked toward the window Maddie was standing at. He stood so close she could smell his cologne.
"So." Colin said.
"So."
"So. Why do you want me to stay again?"
Maddie resisted the urdge to roll her eyes."Like I said, it gets boring around here. Hey, do you know what time it is?"
Colin looked at his wristwatch- which Maddie hadn't known he had until now- and announced the time. "Pretty much midnight. Why?"
The girl shrugged. "Just wondering. Counting the hours until I leave." At this, Colin smiled.
"What, don't like it here? I was just getting settled in myself."
Maddie did roll her eyes this time. "Well. Now I know where Abby gets her sarcasm from."
Colin's grin widened. "Yeah, well. It runs in the family."
"Oh, that's reassuring." the girl rolled her eyes again. But the next time she spoke, her words were a bit more serious: "Okay, but really. Do you know when I get out of here? Because I will literally force my way out if it's not soon." Maddie looked up at Colin.
"Tommorow." Colin replied immediately. Then he sighed. "Actually, I don't know. Wait, hold on a second." He added that last part because it looked as if Maddie was about to break out in an outburst. After waiting a moment, he continued. "I meant, I could probably talk to the doctor or something to get you out tommorow. I agree, a week is kind of way too long to stay here for a broken arm." After hearing this, Maddie practically jumped up and down with excitement.
"Are you serious?! Thank you! You don't understand how awful it's been here with everything going on, and-" The girl suddenly stopped herself, realizing how childish she was being about the whole situation. Embarrassed, she looked down. Apparently, she hadn't realized how ready she was to leave the hospital. Colin laughed, looking at her.
"Your welcome. I take it your pretty exited, yeah?" Maddie didn't reply, kept looking down. Stupid, stupid, stupid. That's what she was. Finally, she looked up to meet Colin's burning gaze. For a whole they just kept staring at eachother, at loss for words. As if Colin was sensing the awkwardness of the situation, he spoke up. "Well, uh, I should be going now. It's 2:00AM, and I should, you should, too, get to bed. Anyways, see you. Bye." And without another word, the boy left. Maddie stared at the place where Colin was for a bit, feeling some type of weird mixture of anxiety and total peacefulness. Maddie had sworn to herself never to get a boyfriend. Well. Times have changed, haven't they?