Jaime: Finally Understanding
Disclaimer: I don't own anyone or anything here except the plot
I paced the floor, hoping that Val would wake-up soon. Although I knew that she'd be okay, I wanted the physical relief. Sighing, I leaned against the wall across the hall from her room. Hank was on the bench and Caitie was sitting next to him, elbows resting on her knees. The Laniers went home a few minutes ago, assured that their daughter and sister would be okay. Finally, Tyler came out of the room with the happiest expression on his face.
"You look like Brooke when she got her first kiss!" Caitie exclaimed when she looked up at him. Tyler rolled his eyes, "She's awake!" At this, Caitie jumped up, Hank sat up and I stood up straighter. Before any of us said anything, Caitie took off yelling over her shoulder, "I'm gonna get the doctor!!" We nodded and sat there waiting. As soon as the doctor came and checked her out, we were allowed to go in together. She was really happy to see us but soon it was time for all of us to head back home.
Over the weekend, we all visited Val in between shifts and in our spare time. On Sunday morning, Val was discharged from the hospital with strict orders to stay in bed for a week, only getting out to go to the bathroom or open the door or something. When Monday rolled around, the three of us guys were determined not to speak to any other member of the football team. Especially not Mike. After what he'd done to her, how did he expect us to even look at him?
"Hey…guys…" Oh well, speak of the devil. Guess who it was? Mike. Did I mention that he was the last person that I wanted to see for awhile. A very long while. Tyler looked at him, bit his lip, then looked away. I just pretended I never heard him. Hank, on the other hand, decided to open his mouth and say something.
"Oh well look who it is, guys." He turned to Mike. Tyler looked coldly towards him and I just gave him my 'What-Do-You-Want' stare.
"Look, we don't want to talk to you or anyone else on the football team right now, ok?" Tyler told him before he could say anything. I rolled my eyes at his pathetic face and started to walk away. Hank and Tyler followed. After we were out of eyesight and earshot, Tyler stopped, "Guys, that was a little mean…"
"But you gotta admit, he did deserve it." Hank reasoned. Why? Why? WHY?! Why did their guilty consciouses have to get in the way now? That jerk deserved everything he got. I told this to Val when I visited with her after school in her room.
"Jaime…" she looked at me, sitting up. Caitie, who was with me, helped her up.
"What? He did deserve it. And get this: the entire football team came up with some half-assed excuse that they were possessed by the Coach. That he put them up to it." Val laughed at that.
"I have to admit, that's the lamest excuse I've ever heard. And I've heard pretty bad ones…" she laughed, but she continued, "But seriously. Did you really have to be that mean?"
"What? Don't tell me you still like that bastard!" She couldn't like him anymore. After what he dd, it wasn't right for her to like him anymore. He didn't deserve her. 'Hold on, just a minute, Waite.' I thought, 'Why the hell are you so suddenly becoming so protective of Val? She's a big girl. She can date whoever she wants.' I told myself. But at the same time, I couldn't help it. Even though it hurt my reputation (badly) to be hanging out with someone from her social group, she'd been good to me even when Hank and Tyler gave up on me at first. She stuck with me and I guess I felt like I had to pay her back.
"No! I don't like him anymore. It's just…he can't be that bad, can he? I mean, either that or he was a pretty good actor. Jaime, didn't you ever ask for his side of the story?" Val asked me. I looked at her. No Val, I never thought of it because what reason is good enough to sacrifice a friendship…no a relationship with someone you supposedly love? But I didn't tell her that, partially because of the pained expression on her face and partially because of the glares Caitie was sending my way.
"No, I didn't," I sighed, "I'm sorry. Maybe I'll give bubblegum boy another chance…" I agreed resignedly. Caitie and Val both looked really amused, "Bubblegum boy?" they asked at the same time. I hadn't realized that I'd said bubblegum boy. I smiled weakly, "Yeah. Bubblegum boy. That's what I call him. It seems to fit."
"Whatever floats your boat, Jaime." Caitie laughed.
"Girls…"
"Hey! Hurt feelings here…" Val pretended to pout. I laughed and hugged her, "Aww…I didn't mean you. I meant all the other cheerleaders….I think."
She took an extra pillow and smacked me in the face with it.
"Oh, that's the way you wanna play, huh Lanier? You're on. Let's go!" We started an all-out pillow war, managing to get Caitie involved too. We didn't even notice that Mike's presence was in the room. I stopped smacking the girls with the pillows as soon as I saw him. Val gave me a pretty hard smack, considering she was in bed and all.
"OW!! Oh, now you're gonna get it, Lanier!" I yelled. Caitie smacked me even harder before I could smack Val. But then I guess Val noticed that Mike was standing there because she nodded at him, "Hey, Mike." This stopped Caitie too. We both stood there, frozen to our spots. I cleared my throat, "Well would you look at the time? I have to go before Alex complains about me being late again! Later, Val! See ya around Mike." I nodded tightly to him, giving him a warning look as I headed out the door with Caitie behind me shouting her good-bye to Val over her shoulder. I looked back one last time before I left the Lanier house. Good. At least Val didn't look upset.
I headed towards the station, which gave me time to think.
"Jaime. Get your ass to the station and quit worrying. Val will be fine. Why are you worrying anyway? That's Tyler's job. Don't turn into Tyler. Don't fall in love with Val." One voice told me. I heard another one,
"Fall in love with Val Lanier? Ha! I don't think so. I just owe her…just this once. Besides, she's a friend. Nobody messes with any of Jaime Waite's friends and gets away with it!" Finally satisfied with my reasoning, I opened the door to the station.
"WAITE! YOU'RE LATE AGAIN!" Alex called. I smiled. Ah…now this was going according to normal procedures.
*Hey I actually updated! So anyway...what'd you think? I know it sounds like Jaime's falling in love. But he's not! I swear!!*
*THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO REVIEWED! THANKS FOR STICKING WITH ME!! I know that I wasn't too good about updating often but I promise that I'll try!*