It took four weeks, but she recovered fully. I had never left for more than an hour when I needed a shower or clothes, as I walked Mindi out to the waiting Buick she was smiling, I was smiling. She entered the car; I waited for her to slide her legs in before shutting the door behind her, traversing the distance over to the driver's side, slipping in and starting the car. I pulled the car out of the parking space gingerly due to inexperience. I entered the aggressive traffic of Manhattan, on my way to Mindi's house.
I pulled into the driveway, helping her out of the car and into the November air. I led her into the house, Marcus meeting me at the door. I helped him bring her belongings inside and Marcus patted me on the shoulder,
"You should go home, get some rest because you look like hell." He said. I nodded,
"Go say goodbye first though." He said, chuckling. I smiled and obeyed without question, I walked up the stairs. I knocked on the door politely,
"Come in." Mindi said clearly. I opened the door,
"Marcus wants me to go home and get some rest. And I need a shower for sure." I said laughing. Mindi chuckled; she was sitting by the window. I walked over to her and sat down on the windowsill next to her. She leaned over and kissed me, I wasn't nervous anymore, in fact, I was the opposite. I was beyond confident.
"Can you do me a favor?" I asked.
"Yeah, sure." She replied.
"Next time, if there's a next time," I began, "please wear a Kevlar vest." I said, chuckling. She nodded, laughing herself. I kissed her forehead before getting up and walking to the door.
"Hey Kyle." She said. I stopped,
"yeah." I replied, turning around.
"See you at school, yeah?" she asked.
"A-duh." I said, laughing.
"I love you."
"you better know I love you."
The next day I was approached by Frankie,
"Uh, Kyle." He said. I almost considered saying 'Fuck off peewee' but resisted the urge.
"Yeah." I replied.
"I wanted to apologize for this whole fiasco. I didn't want to-." He began.
"Yeah, I know." I finished.
"How did you know?" he asked.
"Cops told me." I lied. In reality, Killa7 told me when he was delirious as Marcus and Mason dragged him off.
"Did you tell anyone?" I asked.
"Well…" he began.
"Who did you tell Frankie?" I asked.
"Hey Kyle." A feminine voice came from behind. I turned to see Kayla Gorman, one of if not the most popular girl in the school.
"Hi." I replied flatly.
"Do you happen to want to go to Junior Prom with me?" she asked. I turned and looked at Frankie,
"Now the popular community is gonna rip me to shreds along with every guy in the universe" I thought to myself. Mindi walked up to me,
"Sorry, I'm going with someone already." I said.
"Going with somebody? Who?"She asked. I grabbed Mindi and pulled her over to me, wrapping my arms around her waist.
"You're going with Mindi?" she said, rolling her eyes and walking off.
"Duh, and everything Frankie told you was a lie." I said.
"Oh, then fuck off." She said, walking away. I nodded and smiled. Mindi looked up at me, smile on her face.
"Where are we going?" she asked. I cleared my throat,
"Mindi, would you like to go to Junior Prom with me?" I asked. She was dumbfound,
"I dunno why you're so surprised, there's no one else I'd ask." I continued. She smiled and threw her arms around my shoulders,
"Of course I will." She whispered into my ear.
"Good, 'cause I really don't wanna chase down Kayla." I said, chuckling. She punched me in the shoulder.
"Just fuckin with ya." I said.