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storyline - "Slippery"

prompts - direction, town

I sat still, trying not to let my legs move too much.

Dr. Gerandy was bustling around the room, examining X-rays and looking at charts. Finally, he turned to me.

My heart paused. It could go either way from here, and the stoic expression on Gerandy's face did nothing to help my anxiety.

"Well, Isabella," he said, pausing to glance down at my ankle. "It looks like we can do away with the crutches and brace for now."

Relief washed over me. I wanted to hug him.

"But."

He paused. Again.

I paused.

Something beeped in the examining room next door.

"You need to be extra careful. This was a nasty sprain, as you know. Your ankle is going to be a little weaker than its mate for months. Even though it's all right now, it's a lot more susceptible to future sprains. I'd recommend avoiding sports and such."

I tried to disguise my sarcastic snort as a cough. Sports?

"Yes, Doctor. Thank you. "

"Don't thank me, thank yourself. You've taken good care of it so far. Just don't un-do all these months of healing with foolhardiness."

Yes, I was a foolhardy kinda gal, all right.

"I won't." I stepped gingerly off the table, testing my weight. Things felt okay; a little fragile from lack of use, but okay.

"If there are any problems don't hesitate to come see me," he prompted.

"I won't. Thanks Dr. Gerandy," I said, grabbing my purse.

Ever since my fall several months before, I tended to stare at the ground while walking. Even though I was now "back to normal" and walking without aid, I realized I was still doing this. Oh well. Hopefully eventually I'd lose the paranoia.

After paying, I left the doctor's office, carefully making my way to the bus stop. Alice had inherited one of Peter's old cars since the holidays, but she had classes all day and couldn't pick me up. In fact, I had classes all day too but I'd had to skip a couple to fit my appointment in.

Spring time had hit Hempstead. It was a gorgeous day, the trees budding with new leaves, flowers everywhere. The sky was bright and blue. With my inner glee, I felt like I was in a musical.

It felt so good to know that I was free. Being on crutches had really put a damper on things, limiting my every day activities. I'd even developed rough patches and slight bruises under my armpits where the crutches had rested. The skin there was sensitive and chafed easily.

But no more. Thank God.

I couldn't wait to tell Edward.

A bus pulled up, but it was headed in a slightly different direction, to another part of town. According to my schedule, my bus would be arriving in about two minutes so I settle do to the bench and dug my phone from my purse.

Smiling, I texted Alice, letting her know the good news. I hoped she had it on vibrate.

Seconds later she messaged back. EEEEKK!

I laughed out loud, "hearing" Alice's exuberance through her words...er…letters.

Another text followed. "Party tonight?"

Sure, what-ev.

Yay!

The bus pulled up and I got to my feet with ease, pocketing my phone.

Unlocking the main door to our building, I stepped aside to let a girl on crutches by. She smiled gratefully, slightly pink in the cheeks, and I wanted to just hug her and tell her I knew just how she felt.

I'd attended one more class after returning to campus but it was about four p.m.; Alice would be home by now. I walked slowly up the stairs, remembering Dr. Gerandy's warnings to take it easy for awhile. Truthfully, my ankle was very slightly sore but I suspected that was from months of healing and being babied. I could take a couple of Tylenol or, and I had a feeling this is what Alice had meant by partying, I could smoke a jay.

I pause outside the door to our room, hearing voices inside.

Either our suitemates Heidi and Jane were home with guests or Alice had someone over.

"No more crutches?" Heidi asked, stopping in mid-stride as I came in. She looked down at my ankle, and then at me, smiling.

"Nope." I shook my head, grinning stupidly.

"Ack! I'm so glad for you," she said, giving me a quick hug.

"Bella!" Alice yelled from our bedroom.

"Go, you guys have guests," Heidi said, winking.

Instantly, my stomach was all aflutter.

Calm down, calm down, just because you have "guests" doesn't necessarily mean it's –

"Edward?"

He stood slowly from my bed, smiling.

Alice bounced over, almost throwing herself into my arms before she caught herself. She grasped my arms instead. "So you're in the clear? You can walk?"

"I can walk," I agreed, using my best dramatic voice.

And then Edward was at my side, pulling me into a hug.

"Hey," I sighed, holding him. "I can't believe you're here."

"I know. I wanted it to be a surprise." He bent his head kissing my neck just long enough to give me goose bumps, and then pulled back. "I'm back in Boston for good now. No more out of state competitions for awhile."

Tiptoeing, I kissed him. "I've been watching you… on TV. So weird."

"I know," he laughed. "My mom used to call me up, freaking out when it all first started. She's more used to it now, but…"

"But she still calls freaking out."

"Yep." He nodded, eyes twinkling.

"I was sort of freaking out, myself," I admitted, thinking about the surreal-ness of seeing someone I knew personally on screen. "Thanks for coming. I won't be such a blob this time."

He rolled his eyes. "You were not a blob."

I shrugged, grabbing Edward's hand but stepping back to create a bit of space between us. I hadn't even said hello to Jasper yet.

"Hey, Bella," he said, coming to give me a hug too. "Congrats."

"Thanks." I looked at Alice. "So what should we do first?"

so, it's September 11th. I'm always a little sad today, and a lot thoughtful. i'm sure many of you, especially those who live in the US, feel similarly. anyway, i'll never forget the way i felt that day back in 2001, and how much i cried. how much we all cried. it's hard to believe it's been nearly a decade. i can't look at movies or footage from that day without the wound inside feeling nearly as fresh as it did that morning.

Today we remember the lives of those lost on 9/11, we pause for their loved ones, and we say that love is stronger than hate.