Wow guys! Thanks for all the great reviews from "attitude_chick", "NotAContrivance", "i-h8-sclub", "goofy monkey child", and "Aaweth"! This being my very first fanfiction story ever, I didn't really expect much when I started off! I'm really blown away guys! Thanks!
Chapter Thirteen: The Recovery of the Body.....and Heart?
Location: Thaddeus T. Third Hospital, it's Friday 1PM, the 7th floor in T.J.'s patient room
Out of the darkness, T.J. opened his eyes...everything appeared blurry at first, but then he saw everything in clear focus. He quickly heard the beeping sounds of his heart monitor on the right and glanced over at it. He began to look around him and his room, he understood that he was in a hospital bed but did not know where this hospital was. He looked out at the window and it was raining pretty hard, but this storm was nothing as ominous as the one a couple of weeks ago. He was puzzled seeing several cards and flowers near him. He looked down upon himself and was surprised not seeing his usual clothes on; he was wearing the typical, white colored patient clothes. Suddenly, he thought about where his green jacket was and he immediately remembered all the events of what happened that stormy day. He yelled, "Whompin' Bobbula!" and he quickly jumped out of his bed despite his throbbing headache and still weak body. The heart sensors were ripped off by T.J. running to the doorway because of his overwhelming worry for Spinelli. The heart monitor rang loudly, as if a patient's heart stopped, and the nurses ran toward T.J.'s room. When the nurses arrived at the doorway they were relieved T.J. was okay, but asked him to return back to his bed.
T.J. loudly and worried said, "What has happened to Ashley Spinelli?!? Is she okay?!?"
T.J.'s monitoring nurse, named Susan Keladwicz, hurriedly responded and blocked the doorway to prevent T.J. from leaving, "Young Theodore Detweiler, please return to your bed! You are under no condition to be walking around."
T.J. was defiant, and trying to struggle and squeeze past through Susan to go and find Spinelli and Ashley X, "I won't stop until you tell me what has happened to Ashley Spinelli and Ashley Xxxch...!" T.J. made up his mind, he had to make sure both Spinelli and Ashley X were okay, but he especially knew his heart and life depended on making sure Spinelli was okay.
Susan replied, "Ashley Spinelli and Ashley Xxxchapw... Oh, I can't pronounce it! Are both okay! But they are sleeping heavily and trying to recuperate..."
T.J. breathed a sigh of relief and his heart could beat again. He voluntarily went back to his bed and suddenly felt a rush of tiredness and sleepiness since he now became more aware of his physical condition....
Susan noticed T.J. falling asleep and softly said to him, "Don't worry they'll be fine..."
T.J. was now on the verge of sleeping and mumbled, "Where....are...they...." But before Nurse Susan could reply, T.J. had already dozed off.
T.J.'s parents immediately rushed in from the 7th floor's waiting lounge (they need to take a break on the emotional toll of T.J.'s injuries). It was clearly evident that T.J.'s parents had not slept in days. His mother, with panic, said with tears starting to form, "What has happened to my sweet boy? I heard the heart monitor went off!"
Susan heart-warmingly assured them, "It's okay Mr. and Mrs. Detweiler...T.J. just got up from the bed and the sensors came off. T.J. has now become fully conscious but he will still have some tiredness and weakness for some time.." Susan led the parents back to the 7th floor's waiting lounge to comfort them after his parents gave T.J. a kiss on each cheek...
About 10 patient rooms down from T.J.'s was Spinelli's room. Spinelli had twice as many monitors in her room as T.J. did since her injuries were far more serious. Spinelli had at times, slipped in and out of comas, and was suffering from a weakened heart. Thankfully, the medical staff was able to help and strengthen her and she was now on her way to recovery. Spinelli now was feeling complete exhaustion and sleepiness; she would be awake maybe only 4 hours a day. On this Friday morning, she tried to recollect what happened to her last. She remembered everything vividly up until the lightning struck the jungle gym and remembered only flashes of her falling down the jungle gym. Despite her being somewhat conscious after the fall, when T.J. was talking to her, she did not remember a thing about it. She couldn't remember anything of what happened to her fall, much less anything that happened after that. Right now, it was 3:30 PM and Spinelli was deeply sleeping. Her face was turned away from the doorway. Ashley A suddenly crept in the doorway...
In Ashley A's left hand, was a glamorous, pink-colored background 'Get Well' card she was about to place with the rest of the cards and flowers. In Ashley A's other hand was a bouquet of all different colorful flowers that only the rich, like her, could afford. Ashley A was just about to place them when suddenly Spinelli turned around and opened her eyes...
Spinelli was not completely awake but she obviously sensed that an Ashley was nearby, she questioned Ashley A sarcastically without noticing the card or flowers, "...And what do you think you're doing here?"
Ashley A was peeved but knowing Spinelli's condition, she just calmly replied, "I was just like...dropping off a card and flowers..."
Spinelli felt immediately guilty and said, "I'm sorry....I had no idea that you would be showing such....well....kindness to me."
Ashley A dropped off the card and flowers with the rest (at a small table nearby Spinelli's bed) and walked over to Spinelli, "Well....I know we may not get along but all of us Ashleys were mortified when we heard the seriousness of your condition. Also after realizing that we teased you just before your fight...made us feel so unwell that no shopping spree could ever heal it."
Spinelli was just in awe of what Ashley A was saying. That the Ashleys cared, as little as it may be, about her. Spinelli responded, "Wooowww.....thanks.....really..."
Ashley A still feeling guilty softly spoke to Spinelli, "Don't tell the others this but.....we also totally planned another prank. Do you like remember when T.J. went with Ashley X to Olive Garden that one night?"
Spinelli was confused where this conversation was leading to, but softly replied, "yeah.....so......?"
Ashley A slowly continued, "Well...." she pulled out a photo from her purse and gave it to Spinelli (it was the photo she took of the moment Ashley X tried to kiss T.J. unknowingly), "...we got a picture of both of them trying to kiss each other..."
Spinelli was just sitting on her bed frozen. Ashley A's words were echoing through her mind as her eyes wouldn't stop staring at the photo. Spinelli's hands were never so still and her eyes never so focused. She thought wondering, 'Is this really possible?....What's happening to T.J.?...'
Ashley A continued on, "I just wanted to give you the original and say that we won't be like telling this back at school. You guys have totally gone through like way too much..." Ashley A still having hard feelings toward Spinelli gently tried to pat Spinelli in a friendly way, but it turned out as if Ashley A was trying to cautiously touch something disgusting. Spinelli did not notice Ashley A's behavior. Ashley A soon waved goodbye and left the room....Spinelli again did not notice Ashley A because her mind was still in shock over seeing the photo.
Spinelli began thinking harder...thinking, 'What has happened to T.J.? He really likes Ashley X?....But she's misusing him!'. She kept on thinking about Ashley X and T.J.....she then began to think about how much time she and Tyler were away from the gang.....her thoughts then related to the joking the Ashleys played on her and Tyler....and it finally came to her. Spinelli was now feeling emotionally worse than physically. She whispered to herself, "I can't believe it! It's right in front of me! No wonder T.J. didn't want me to fight with Ashley X! And that he did not mind spending more time with her." She continued to curse herself out in a bitter cry of extreme guiltiness, "Ashley X was right, T.J. did want to spend more time with her! Why didn't I just see it! ASHLEY X AND T.J. ARE IN LOVE! It all makes sense! No wonder they tried to keep it in secret, otherwise the playground would have teased them! Why did I have to be so stupidly and idiotically stubborn!?!? " Spinelli began to cry over the friendships she now betrayed....and how much worse she made it over the fight with Ashley X. Spinelli felt absolutely horrible being in her body. Spinelli always had a little crush over cute T.J. since the beginning of 4th grade, but with this betrayal the possibilities of recovering a friendship with T.J. or Ashley X seemed impossible. Her mind drifted away from her hospital room and just focused on the on-going storm outside. Her mind was completely engrossed over the evil things she did....she felt that she was an insane madman who just destroyed the friendships for no reason at all. Her sadness and guilt completely over took her mind. Throughout the day, her parents (Bob and Flo), the 4 (Vince, Gretchen, Gus, and Mikey) of the gang of friends, Ms. Grotke, Ms. Finster, and others visited her but she pretended to be in a deep sleep to barely cover the wild emotions of sadness and guilt that were overwhelming her. She tried to keep up her tough girl image as hard as it was. As the day turned into night, and no one was in her room...she couldn't fall asleep. She felt that inside was the beating heart of a sinister kid...a kid that did not deserve friends, friends like T.J. She dwelled on it with increasing sadness throughout the night.....
The next day (Saturday) in the afternoon, Gretchen slowly walks into Spinelli's room. Gretchen gently touches Spinelli's left hand to see if she is responding to her. Spinelli opens her eyes from her fake nap and sighs looking out of the window.
Gretchen curiously asks, "What's wrong Spinelli? Why are you so down?....Are you still feeling weak?"
Spinelli tried to dismiss her emotional condition, "I'm fine Gretchen....really...."
Gretchen looked directly at Spinelli...Gretchen could tell something was wrong with Spinelli because she wasn't the same high-spirited tough girl she used to be. Gretchen tried to comfort her, "Spinelli....you honestly need to tell me....everyone has told me that you are not willing to talk to anyone after Ashley A arrived. Did she do something to you?"
Spinelli quietly said, "No Gretch, it's not her...." Spinelli knew that she had to say something.... she thought that not also Gretchen being a friend, but a girl could help Gretchen in understanding her situation. "It's actually me Gretchen...."
Gretchen was immediately perplexed, "What do you mean?"
Spinelli continued, "I finally realized why T.J. wanted me to stop fighting Ashley X, why he kept seeing Ashley X, and also how Ashley X was right....about everything..."
Gretchen was even more confused, "What are you concluding Spinelli???"
Spinelli pulled out the photo of T.J. and Ashley X from underneath her pillow and showed it to Gretchen, "Ashley A gave me this photo of Ashley X and T.J. when they went to the Olive Garden. I should have known that these two were in love Gretch."
Gretchen suddenly remembered the night when she and her family went to the Olive Garden. Gretchen knew that what Spinelli was saying was convincing, but Gretchen really knew where T.J.'s heart was.
Slowly Gretchen responded, "You won't believe this Spinelli, but I don't think that T.J. loves Ashley X. I know that he loves you."
Spinelli's eyes bulged out and she sat up from her bed, "WHAT?!? What are you talkin' about Gretchen?"
Gretchen kept this a secret from the rest of the gang and everyone else, but she knew it had to be told to her. Gretchen continued, "You remembered that microphone I told you to wear before you faced Ashley X, right? Well, I thought that after you were hit by lightning I thought the microphone malfunctioned. To my utmost surprise, the microphone was still functioning and I could hear what happened afterward...."
Spinelli's eyes grew wider and she sat closer to Gretchen, "And....AND?!? What else Gretchen?"
Gretchen slowly tried to remember what T.J. said in the microphone, "He was the closest one that could save either you or Ashley X. He caught you and somehow Tyler arrived in time to catch Ashley X before hitting the ground. T.J., I believe, was somehow affected by the shock and he managed to gently place you on the ground. He tried to cover you with his green jacket and he whispered to you that you were the strongest one among us and that we all need you in our lives, furthermore he stated and I quote, ' I don't know if I could ever live without you Spinelli, I love you'..."
As much as Spinelli's little crush wanted to hear and believe what Gretchen was saying, Spinelli's mind and guiltiness instantly dismissed it. She quickly pointed out, "That's the biggest bunch of hooey I ever heard Gretchen! I mean c'mon....T.J. falling for me?? He's with Ashley X all the time! Besides the paramedics never mentioned in their formal report that I came with a green jacket."
Gretchen quickly tried to convince Spinelli, "But Spinelli! It's true....I swear! I would never make something up like that!"
Spinelli loudly said, "Gretchen please....don't tell me anymore about it!" Spinelli tried to change the topic, "What's happening back at school?"
Gretchen wanted to continue talking about T.J.'s affection for Spinelli, but Spinelli gave her a look where she knew it was time to move on. "Just after the paramedics left with all of you...an F-4 tornado came through the neighborhood."
Spinelli was shocked again, "WHAT?!? WHAT HAPPENED TO EVERYONE?!?"
Gretchen calmly responded, "Ms. Finster was finally able to get all the kids into the basement before the tornado could arrive. The tornado winds reached almost to 100 Miles per Hour! Miraculously, only windows were broken and some balls were gone. SAL 4000 really saved the school; he barracked the doors and windows from any type of wind damage. Everyone in school and around the neighborhood is fine, but now there is still some damages and debris to be cleaned up."
There came a knock on the open door, it was Ashley X. Spinelli quickly hid the picture of Ashley X and T.J. under her pillow. Spinelli and Gretchen turned their heads toward Ashley X and both said, "Hi...Ashley...what are you doing here?"
Ashley X completely recovered from her injuries. She was still enraged over what Spinelli had done to her back on the jungle gym, but she hid her anger in a fake expression of remorse and guilt. Ashley X softly said, "Hi Spinelli....I'm sorry....I don't know what came over me."
Spinelli was hit with another blow of sadness and guilt seeing Ashley X arrive. Spinelli tried to reassure Ashley X, "No, I'm sorry for everything Ashley....you didn't deserve what my big mouth said and fists did. I should have seen what you meant." Spinelli implied how she felt that Ashley X was right about T.J.
Ashley X showed Spinelli a jewelry box and opened it in front of Spinelli. It was a bracelet, similar to ones Ashley X had given to T.J. and Miss Finster.
Spinelli was speechless, "I....don't know what to say. Why are you giving me this?"
Ashley X replied, "I want you to have this to remember our new, restored friendship. We both said and meant things we did not want to say." Ashley X tried to give a small smirk to cheer up Spinelli.
Spinelli was overcome by Ashley X's kindness; she was completely unprepared for Ashley X asking for forgiveness when she herself started questioning and getting upset with Ashley X. Spinelli felt that Ashley X was more mature when it came to resolving situations. She felt that she would, from now on, think twice before approaching Ashley X. Spinelli was just amazed at the bracelet, "Wow....thanks...Ashley" and Ashley X gave Spinelli a hug. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
Spinelli, Ashley X, and Gretchen all looked toward the door and saw T.J. T.J. was now feeling well enough to walk and only had a few more days left in the hospital as they continued with T.J.'s physical therapy. T.J. was holding a bouquet of flowers and a 'Get-Well' card behind him to surprise Spinelli. T.J. believed that Spinelli had heard everything before he passed out himself back at the playground during the storm. Gretchen and Ashley X noticed that T.J. wanted to be alone with Spinelli. Spinelli immediately interrupted the brief silence, "Hey Teej, you got a chance to meet Ashley X earlier, right?"
T.J. faced and smiled at Ashley X and replied back to Spinelli, "Yeah, I did." T.J. had already met and gave Ashley X a 'Get-Well' card and flowers as well, but T.J. was more enthusiastic to see Spinelli especially now since it was the first time he would get to meet the crush of his life after the storm. Gretchen and Ashley X soon left the room and the hallway. T.J. began to nervously approach Spinelli knowing that he confessed his love to her and offered Spinelli the flowers and card. Spinelli gushed with happiness upon see them and set them aside with the other flowers and cards, yet inside Spinelli was plagued by the guiltiness.
Spinelli did not know how to start. She was frustrated with herself for being such a scaredy-cat of talking with T.J. She took a deep breath and started slowly, "Thanks again for the card and flowers Teej. After what I did to you and Ashley X....I don't feel like I deserve anyone's sympathy."
T.J. held Spinelli's hand and sat next to her. T.J. tried to comfort her, "Spinelli, it's okay...we make mistakes..."
Spinelli was now upset with T.J. for not understanding but it was covered by her sadness, "Teej! I mean I beat up Ashley X and I put you two in life threatening danger! How can I just say it's just a mistake....if anything happened to you two..." Spinelli looked at T.J.'s eyes. As much as her heart did not want to believe T.J. and Ashley X were a couple, she quickly looked away and knew that their happiness was more important especially after what she had done to them. She continued sniffling, "...I could not live with myself..."
T.J. tried to console Spinelli, "Spinelli I know that your intentions were good and that you were trying to help me." T.J. thought Spinelli was referring to the severed friendships, he had no idea that Spinelli was referring to him and Ashley X as a couple and he had no idea how deep Spinelli's sadness was. T.J. simply only thought Ashley X as a close friend like the rest of the gang.
T.J. and Spinelli both noticed each other 'friendship' bracelets Ashley X had given to them. Spinelli sighed in pitiful disgust over herself, "Sheesh! Some type of friends we are to Ashley X..." There suddenly came a quiet, feeling of guiltiness upon both T.J. and Spinelli.
After about 4 to 5 seconds, Spinelli spoke again with T.J., "Teej, I'm very sorry for this mess. I....I..." Spinelli was at a loss of words because her heart was breaking because of realizing T.J.'s dating with Ashley X, messing up T.J. and Ashley X's relationship, messing up her friendship with the two, and putting them in life-threatening danger. She was just overwhelmed by it all. She struggled as her sadness caused her to breathe heavily, "....I don't know if someone like me...deserves to have friends like you two. You two seem to be having so much fun together and I had to mess it up."
T.J. was confused when Spinelli said 'you two seem to be having so much fun together', but he shrugged it off and again tried all he could to comfort her. T.J. placed a hand on her shoulder, but Spinelli just shrugged it off in sadness and faced the other side of the bed. T.J. knew that Spinelli would come to him for comfort, but when Spinelli rejected it he felt disappointed and sadden that Spinelli did not want to be comforted. Spinelli, on the other hand, wanted to be comforted desperately but she felt that she did not deserve T.J.'s overflowing and always abundant kindness. T.J. slowly began walking out the doorway from the hallway and noticed Tyler visiting Spinelli; T.J. overheard Tyler talking with Spinelli. T.J. did not hear exactly what Spinelli and Tyler were saying, but he knew that Spinelli was deeply talking with Tyler. Spinelli confided in Tyler almost as a big brother, and tried to talk about what she was feeling to him. T.J. walked back slowly and in hopelessness to his room when he heard how Spinelli was talking with Tyler. T.J. thought to himself, ' Spinelli used to talk to me about whatever pain or sadness she felt....maybe the Ashleys were right, maybe Spinelli really is falling in love with Tyler...' T.J. took one slow emotionally painful step at a time as his heart was burdened with the fact that Spinelli was not interested in him and that she had a potential boyfriend.
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To Be Continued…