Racetrack
Yes, it's true. I was in the hospital, because I took a pretty hard blow from that brass knuckle. Well, the day after the incident, Mush and Kid Blink come barging in the room, gasping for breath, talking up a storm.
"You… shoulda… seen it," panted Kid Blink. "It was amazing!"
"We would have brought her here," said a dazed Mush, "But she said she might break down and cry, like she did yesterday when you were unconscious."
"Here, we videotaped this last night for you." said Kid Blink, handing me a videotape. "Watch it after we leave. I think you might like it."
"Okay," I said, "And guys, tell Shox that I miss her." They nodded and walked out of the door. I closed it, and flipped on the videotape.
I couldn't believe what I saw. Was that really Shox singing so good on stage? I knew it was, by the way she started the program. Tears filled my eyes. She really did miss me. She really wasn't mad anymore. I flipped off the video, fearing that I might cry if I didn't. All I had left of her now were a few photos that we had taken together (The guys knew that I couldn't live without them), and memories. Memories of the good times, and memories the bad times. Memories of the day we met, and memories of yesterday. Haunting memories of the rally, and comforting memories of our first date. Memories were just about the best thing I had at the time, so I wasn't planning on forgetting them anytime soon. I laid down and cried, the second time in two days. I felt like Oliver Twist, miserable, alone, and crying too much. This time, though, I cried way too long. I cried for at least two hours, minimum. And this time I didn't cover up my face. Instead, I locked the door and didn't answer when the nurses wanted in. Good thing I didn't have a roommate.
The next morning, I woke up and still wasn't ready for visitors, but I was a little better, emotion-wise at least. Otherwise, I was doing a lot better, but I still had three days before I could come out of the hospital. At one o'clock, I unlocked my door to knocking and a girl's voice saying, "Come on, Race, open up." Shox burst in and I was finally happy again. Now, at last, I didn't only have memories.
"I saw your performance." I said excitedly. She looked at me, puzzled and sad at the same time.
"How?" she asked after a long time of puzzlement. I held up the videotape and she nodded, understanding instantly. Suddenly, she started talking nonstop.
"I miss you, too! I forgive you! Just come back!" were some of the things I could make out. After five minutes, she stopped and stared at me for a long time. Finally, she told me goodbye and get well soon, and she dragged herself out of the room. I closed and locked the door up again.
"I want to come back," I said to nobody in particular. "I want to get out of this place. I wish I could, because I want to be able to crack jokes and gamble and see Shox and all the others again. I want to grow up and live my life out of a stupid hospital." I groaned just then and fell back onto my bed. I could wait a little while longer for freedom… I thought as I drifted off to sleep.