3 A.M.
by Kawaii.Megami
Disclaimers: Everything related to In A Heartbeat belongs to Disney.
A/N: This is in Hank POV. Pretty angsty. Please R&R. There's also several curse words in this.
Warning: This fic contains unconventional coupling and a hint of homosexuality. If you cannot stand this issue, turn back NOW.
***
Rain. I said that word to myself again as I rolled to the other side of my bed for like, the millionth time. Rain. That word suddenly lost all of its meaning. I quietly listened to the water droplets tap on my bedroom's window, filling the silence.
I couldn't sleep. I'm not insomniac, just a light sleeper. I'm the kind of person that wakes up every 20 minutes, literally. Just to see what was going on. I don't really remember dreams, if I have any, because of that. It's one of my weaknesses. Most people say the sleep cycle is 2 to 3 hours each, with 20-minute intervals. Yeah, Right.
I'd say it's the other way around. But whatever.
I've decided to talk about my pathetic love life. I'm talking about sleep cycles, for God's sakes.
Anyway, the 11th grade is half way through. Yes, I've had 3 quote 'relationships.' And it's just a small part of my records.
First, there was Melanie. I chuckled to myself at that name. She was one of the ones I actually liked, which is ironic, come to think of it. I kept on running away from her, but she's the one that could stand up for herself. I remember the Homecoming. It was a disaster. It was for everyone, maybe except Jamie and Caitie. I kind of miss Melanie now.
After that was Jasmine. Ha! What a joke. The only thing good about that was finally seeing Val and Tyler failing at *something*. Jasmine and I were totally different people. All she wanted was a fling. I mean, I heard of guys not wanting commitments, but not girls. We broke up as soon as we started. It was like a dream.
Then came Monique. She was my tutor for La Bon for a while. I gotta admit, though. She helped me a lot. I ended up getting a B average for La Bon for the first semester. So, we were at study hall one day. I did that one scene from 10 Things I Hate About You. Well, kinda. I asked her out in French, since I didn't want a lot of people to know what we were saying. But I know a couple people in La Bon's were there. Anyway, so I asked her out, and she said she has a boyfriend. I saw the same couple people stifling their laughter. I guess they've decided that it wasn't that big of a news, so they didn't spread it. But I was still humiliated.
Did I mention my love life is pathetic? Yeah, I think I did, too.
Even though there were so many girls on my records, I don't love any of them. Who *do* I love?
Tyler Connell. I like that way his name rolls off my tongue. Yet it has a good ring to it. He's my best friend. The one that loves my other best friend. He's the star football player. He's the guy every girl wants. He's right under my nose. He's the only one I can't get.
He's dead.
You heard me, he's dead. As in, not breathing. Not living. Buried. Whatever.
"Nice try, Beecham."
That voice has haunted me every day ever since that night. I still couldn't believe it. My best friend, the one I love so dearly, dead. I couldn't believe it, even though it happened right in front of me.
[Flash]
The alarms blared inside the Kingsport Emergency Medical Station. I was waiting for Tyler with Val, Jamie, and Brooke. He's never been late, so why is he now?
"We better go," Val announced, heading toward the door to the garage with the emergency pack in her hand.
"What about Tyler?" I asked impatiently.
"Look, you guys go ahead. I'll tell him your location when he comes and he can drive the other ambulance," Brooke suggested.
Jamie looked at me. "Okay. Come on, let's go," I urged.
Val and I climbed into the front, with me in the driver's seat. Jamie got on through the
back.
"3-car MVA on Main Street-Lincoln Avenue. 4 people injured, one of them a 17-year-old white male in critical stage," came a voice.
I spoke into the radio. "This is vehicle 168 and we're on our way."
We got there and found a 3-car head-to-head crash. It was much worse than we've expected. The first response had already treated the 3 people -- two males and one female -- with light injuries. They were still trying to get to 17-year-old male out of his car.
Val, Jamie, and I walked over to his car. My heart almost stopped when I saw the familiar white Honda Civics. Tyler's white Honda Civics.
I just froze while Val and Jamie, also recognizing the car, rushed to it with the emergency pack. I waited. Nothing. My heart started pounding as hell. All these thoughts suddenly flashed through my brain. Then, Val made a 'come here' gesture.
"Hank, come quick!"
I wanted to scream, but controlled my emotions. I ran through the scene to where my friends were. I kneeled down and looked to the direction they were looking at.
"Tyler...," I breathed. I knew neither Val nor Jamie heard that, but I saw something in Tyler's eyes.
His eyes... God! I can never forget them. They were filled with sentiments. And yet piercing. It was as if they were speaking a language that nobody understands. Nobody but me.
They were overflowing with fear, panic, horror, sadness, and... hope. Just a small gleam of hope, easily missed. It was then I knew I have to do everything I can to save him. He trusted me. He trusted all of us.
"Don't worry. We'll get you out of here in no time, buddy," I whispered into his ear. He managed to flash a small smile.
"I'm sorry... for not making the shift...," he spoke softly. Too softly.
"Tyler, don't say that," Val retorted gently, slightly choking from her sobs. She squeezed her eyes closed, attempting to block out the obvious tears.
"There're still lots of things waiting for you to do back at the station. You aren't going to get off this easily," Jamie said, trying to hide his tears as well.
Tyler struggled to keep his smile up. "Looks like I am," he whispered.
How could he joke at a time like this?! I tried to distract myself by checking his status.
Tears welled up in my eyes more and more as I think about what will happen if we couldn't safe him. I shook those thoughts off. I told myself to be optimistic.
"We'll get you out, Tyler. We're gonna get you out."
We never did. He didn't make it.
[Flash]
I couldn't take it anymore. I darted straight up on my bed, now in a sitting position. My hands found their way to my eyes, wiping the tears off. I rested my feet down on the floor, beginning to stand up.
I found myself already in a shirt and jeans. I grabbed a jacket from the closet and my car keys on my desk. Then, I tried to sneak out of the door without my parents noticing. It worked. They weren't light sleepers like me. Actually, they were the exact opposite.
I got into my car and put the key into the ignition. I attempted to start the engines. It didn't start. I tried again. Still nothing.
"Damn it!" I cursed, hitting my hand onto the steering wheel. "Start already!" I turned the key again. This time it worked. Finally.
I set the transition from 'park' to 'drive' and pulled the brake down. I didn't even bother to put the seat belt on.
Part of my mind was on total auto pilot, while the other was thinking about Tyler. I don't even know where fuck I'm going.
After some time has passed, I found myself in the cemetery. I immediately found Tyler's grave. I was about to break down, but miraculously controlled myself.
"How long has it been, Connell? A week?" I asked, knowing I wouldn't hear an answer. The only response I got was howling wind. Then, there was silence.
"God, I missed you so damn much. You were my best friend. I still remember the grad plans that we talked about last month. How are they gonna work without you here?" I started, tears falling out of the corners of my eyes.
I looked down at the grave. I felt the engravings with my fingers.
Tyler Matthew Connell
October 7, 1983 - November 14, 2000
Beloved Son and Friend
A Life Well Lived
May He Forever Rest In Peace
I love you, Tyler Matthew Connell. I love you.