April 16, 1987
3:30 PM PDT
BTTF Universe

Julia leaned against the payphone stall, as she waited for Marty to return. She always was very good at climbing trees, so she never actually expected this to happen. While being shot in the leg wasn't her fault, she couldn't help but feel embarrassed. It simply bruised her ego, as she wanted to show Marty how good she was at climbing trees.

"I'm so sorry you got hurt," the hunter commented, as he put his arm around Julia. "I just called the ambulance, and really they should be here soon. I sure hope and pray that you get healed. I should've been paying more attention, and I feel responsible."

Julia forced a small smile, as she couldn't be too mad at the hunter. After all, he simply was taking responsibility for his actions - and, for that, she felt pleased. In fact, it just gave her hope - as she knew not everyone was as willing to own up to their actions.

Julia felt too stunned to cry, as she was trying her hardest to not look at the wound in her right leg. As she saw Marty running back with a bucket, she sure began to think of how bad the wound could be. She was bleeding so profusely, and she felt very scared that it wouldn't stop. She felt despair, as she worried that she might bleed to death.

"Let's get you fixed up, Julia," Marty suggested, very softly. He gently lifted up Julia's leg, as he washed the blood off. "It sure looks like you have a very bad wound. I took a roll of bandage from the First Aid kit. It does look like you'll be needing it real badly."

Tears filled Julia's eyes, as the cold water just stung her wound. As the water quickly became tinted with red blood, she realized that it was no real ordinary wound. It was a wound like no other. She really began to have a bad feeling about the whole thing.

"Did you call the ambulance," Marty asked the hunter, as he lifted up Julia's leg. "I do have a grandaunt, who was a nurse - but I... I could wrap this bandage around your leg - but it simply does look like you'll need stitches." As Marty began to wrap her leg, he added, "This will have to do, while we wait for the ambulance. Try not to panic."

Julia could barely hear what Marty was saying, she suddenly was in great pain. Tears began to roll down her cheeks, as she wished she could undo the event. She felt that it was a very embarrassing event. She still felt that the event was partially her fault.

"The ambulance should be here real..." Marty began to say, softly. He placed his arm around Julia, as he asked, "Aw, Julia, are you crying? It'll be all right. A doctor should be here, in just a few minutes. I'm sorry you got hurt. I'll pray that you get healed."

"I sure feel bad," Julia sobbed, as she drew Marty close to her. "I really never had to have surgery before, and I'm just real scared. I was just real excited about spending time with you, and climbing up that tree together. I just wasn't paying attention, and it's so embarrassing. Now, I'm in pain - and I feel so bad about going to the hospital."

"Actually, I was the one who should've been paying attention," replied the hunter. "I feel quite bad that you've gotten hurt. I might have to give up hunting. My wife sure would like me to spend more time with her, anyway. Are the two of you going out?"

"We haven't been going out for long," explained Marty. "In fact, I only knew her for a few days - but I sure am attracted to her. We just seem to have a lot in common, and I think the two of us might be compatible. For right now, though. I'm worried for her."

Julia wept silently, as Marty gently squeezed her shoulders. She really didn't know of any boy at home, that she could relate to as well. Granted, Tommy Paige was a very good friend - but he didn't have the same charisma as Marty McFly did. He wondered how the two of them would get along. She's have to introduce Marty to her friends.

As Julia looked up, she saw that an ambulance was approaching. She tried her best to stop crying, as she just hoped and prayed that she could be healed. She tried to think of the positive, but she was simply in a lot of pain. She desperately didn't want to die.

oooooooooo

"Julia?" asked a soft masculine voice, which seemed so hazy. "Julia? You can wake up, now." Julia felt peaceful, as she wondered who the pleasant voice came from. "You're as good as new, Julia. Can you hear me? I'm Marty McFly, and I really do love you."

As Julia slowly opened her, she just saw Marty smiling at her. She was wearing a soft fleece outfit, and she didn't want to change. As Marty was tenderly stroking her face - she thought of how sweet, gentle, and tender Marty was. She was rather reluctant to get up, as she smiled at Marty. She didn't remember why she was in the hospital.

"The bullet from your leg has been removed," explained the doctor - who, according to the name tag he was wearing, was Dr. Warner. "I have your wound stitched up - so, after you leave the hospital, you should be able to go back to living your life."

As Julia took a close look at her leg, she saw that there were seven stitches. She felt worried, as she thought of how she would always have a scar. She supposed it could be a lot worse, but she still felt unhappy. It would be a huge embarrassment to her.

"How are you feeling, Julia?" Marty asked, as he continued to stroke her face. "I feel so relieved, almost like it's a miracle. I do think God was watching over us. Anyway, I just feel rather thankful. I can't even be mad at the hunter, as he did promise to pay the hosptal bill. He could've been a coward - and run away from what happened."

"He didn't, though," Julia replied, softly. "If more people in this world could quite take responsibility, like the way the hunter did - we'd have a better society. He seemed to feel genuinely bad about what happened. I could even see how remorseful he was."

"He still shouldn't've been so careless," Marty replied, shaking his head, "and he's real lucky that your injury hasn't been worse. I mean, I was so worried that you'd... Well, you know. Anyway, Doc is out in the waiting room - and he was also real concerned."

"I was very worried about that, too," Julia replied, shuddering. "I mean, I never had to have surgery - and I guess the anaesthesia helped. I mean, I do remember how I was in so much pain - it was like such torture. I guess, now that the bullet was taken out - that really helps a lot. Do you think you and Dr. Warner could help me get up."

"Everything should be fine, now," commented Dr. Warner, as he helped Julia up from the operating table. "In two weeks, your stitches may be removed. In the meantime, make sure you wash your legs at least twice a day. Don't do too much dirty work."

Marty and Julia both laughed, as they left the operating ward. Julia couldn't help but worry about what her parents might think. She really hoped that Marty would not be blamed for her injury. In fact, he had been rather supportive of her the whole time.

"Doc said that he'll drop us off at Pizza Hut," explained Marty, "and it can be our very first official date. Do you like pan pizza with double cheese on it?" Julia nodded, as he added, "Doc insists that it's not a 'real' pizza. I completely disagree with him. I'm quite the same way about pasta. Just give me the noodles, cheese, and marinara sauce."

"You and I really are alike," Julia replied, laughing. "You know, my father acts like it's so aberrant - whenever I ask for my spaghetti without meat in it. He even acts like it's the same thing as having a cheese sandwich. However, with marinara sauce..."

"That's what I usually say to Doc," Marty replied, nodding. "He doesn't seem to get it, though. I mean, we all have different tastes - and pizza with just cheese and sauce is still, by definition, a pizza. By the way, Pizza Hut really makes the best breadsticks."

"I certainly won't argue with you, there," quipped Julia. "I know my mother says that they aren't healthy for you, but they still taste delicious. I just don't understand why so many teens are obsessed with dieting. I mean, I certainly won't argue against the importance of being healthy - but so many people do quite take it to such extremes."

"Would you like to go to the roller rink, tonight?" Marty asked, as he smiled at Julia. "I really haven't spent any time with my friends, within the last few days. I mean, there was this whole thing with Jennifer - and you showed up. I sure know how much you'd love to have a taste of life in the '80s. There'll be lots of teenagers at the roller rink."

"That would simply be a dream come true!" gasped Julia. "I mean, I have friends who quite share my passion for the '80s - and we do sometimes go to the roller rink, when they have Retro Night. Still, there are some people who laugh at us - because we..."

"That just isn't right," Marty replied, softly. "Nobody should be scoffed at, just for his or her personal tastes. I think it's actually neat that you have an appreciation for this decade. It just feels good to know some, uh, members of the younger generation will appreciate us. I mean, I sometime worry about what our children might think of us."

Julia just smiled warmly, as the teens reached the waiting room. Doc was there, as he looked up from his magazine. As much as Marty simply hated to impose on his scientist friend, he hoped that Doc would be receptive to Julia possibly moving into this world.

"Thank God you're okay, Julia," gasped Doc, as he stood up. "I feel pretty happy that your wound isn't so severe. Anyway, Marty asked me to drive the two of you to Pizza Hut. I do hope the two of you have fun tonight. I gather you won't return, until late."

Julia smiled at Doc, as she felt excited about the evening. She never liked wearing the in-line skates, and she simply hated how people would laugh at her about it. For once, she would really be able to fit in. She quite loved the music and fashions of the 1980s, and she also loved the video games of this era. It quite felt much like being in heaven.