Chapter 14: I Promise
Hal's POV
There is nothing better than payday… even if it means waiting in a freaking long line to cash a check.
I checked my watch for the thousandth time as the line for the teller slowly moved forward. What felt like hours later I finally made it to the cashier.
"Can I have a hundred of that in twenties and the rest for depos-" I began before the doors to the bank were thrown open and few people in ski masks stormed in.
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Kyle's POV
"And that is how Carl Jung came to classify-" Mrs. Eddalee began before her desk phone rang. She sighed before picking it up as I turned in my desk to face Alex.
"Hey, do you wanna do something tonight since it's Friday?"
"I'd love to but I can't. I already told you about the photography seminar I'm attending tonight." She replied.
"Guess I forgot about that."
"You forget about everything." She sighed.
"Do not."
"When's my birthday?"
"Um… A day of the year?"
"My point exactly." She sighed before our teacher recaptured our attention by obnoxiously snapping.
"Settle down class. Kyle, you're being signed out." She announced as Alex looked at me.
I shrugged before shoving my notebook in my backpack and heading out of the room.
When I got to the front of the school I could see Carol standing up in the front office.
"Carol, what are you doing here? Where's Hal? Is something wrong?"
"Kyle… There's been an accident."
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Carol's POV
I'd never seen him sit so still or be so quiet… Then again, I'd never seen him be still or quiet at all.
Kyle sat perfectly still in the hospital chair with his knees tucked into his chest and his arms crossed over them. His eyes glossed over as the stared at nothing in particular. I couldn't even hear him breathing and I was sitting beside him.
I reached over and squeezed his shoulder before gently saying, "Kyle, it's alright. He's going to be fine."
"He's in surgery."
"I know… He'll make it out okay and-"
"He was shot! Twice!"
"I know, Kyle. He wasn't the only one that was shot. Luckily, no one died."
"Yet."
"He'll make it. Just relax. Hal's had worse."
He shook his head and wiped at his eyes before getting up and walking outside. About ten minutes later, I was approached by the surgeon.
"Miss Ferris?"
********Break********
Hal's POV
"Hal?"
I opened my eyes to see Carol staring at me from a chair beside the hospital bed. Her fingers were intertwined with mine.
"How're you feeling?"
"Like shit."
She groaned before shaking her head. "Hal, this is serious. You were shot in the shoulder and chest."
"I know. I was there."
She let go of my hand and smacked my injured arm and narrowed her eyes at me.
"Hey! I'm injured!"
"And you're about to be put into a full body cast if you don't knock it off."
"Okay. Okay. I'll behave."
"Good… You scared me."
"Sorry. I'll try not to deposit my check next time there's a bank robbery."
"That's not funny. And Kyle-" she began before the door was opened by said teenager.
His face was flushed and his green eyes held a red tint from crying. He just stared at me as he quietly shut the door behind him.
"Kyle, you okay?" I asked before he crossed the room and climbed into the cramped hospital bed.
I could've sworn the metal railing punctured my side as he somehow maneuvered his way into the midget bed so that we ended up lying side by side… Well, he was on his side and I was on my back with my left side being practically impaled by the metal bed railing. I grunted as his bony arms wrapped around my waist. My left arm awkwardly rested over his shoulders and his head was buried under my chin. I attempted to smooth his long, dark hair down so I wouldn't end up eating it.
I glanced over at Carol who just shrugged and looked extremely surprised. I returned my attention back to Kyle and asked, "Kid? You okay?"
"I… I th-thought-" he began as I felt my hospital gown soaking up his tears. "The f-first time I w-went to the h-hospital was because my g-grandparents were in a c-car wreck and they didn't m-make it. L-last time I was in a h-hospital was b-because my m-mom was dying… I… I didn't w-want to lose you too."
"It's okay, kid. You're not going to lose me." I whispered, brushing my fingers through his shaggy hair.
"You promise?"
"Yeah. I promise."
"Kay." He muttered against my neck.
He gave no sign of moving anytime soon. I glanced over at Carol for help only to see her taking pictures on her phone. I rolled my eyes before refocusing my attention on Kyle.
"If you're gonna stay in the bed with me… scoot over before I end up with the hospital bed embedded into my back."
Sorry I haven't updated in a while. My schedule is hectic and I've had a touch of writer's block with this story. I haven't abandoned it though... Although, I could use some more requests. And thank you to those of you who send in requests. I shall publish them as soon as I'm finished with them :)