Title: Down
By: N170017
Feedback: I would really, really appreciate all the comments and suggestions that you might have.
Note: Wow I never thought I'd be writing another chapter for this story, guess I was wrong. I didn't exactly know what to say next but I came up with, well look below and that's what I came up with. Right now I'd like to thank all the people who reviewed the first chapter. When I first posted this story (a few months ago) a bunch of people reviewed also, and I want to thank all of you as well. I would usually name you all but I can't quite figure out all the names at the moment (my comps wacky) but I'll properly thank all you later. In any case here's the next installment in Down!
I opened my eyes slowly. The light in the room I was in was very bright. Where was I? The hospital? Yes it was a hospital. Then I remembered the past events. I closed my eyes again as water formed beneath the lids. How long had I been here? What happened after? Where were Travis and Ray? Did my parents know where I was? The door swung open as I thought. Quickly I brushed the tears away and sat up. My side flamed at this motion but I chose not to let it effect me. I looked over at the door. There stood my mother. At least she knows where I am. She looked relieved but a little mad. "Lily, thank god your okay," She mumbled as she moved to me and gave me a big hug. I felt so safe in her arms. I've never felt so happy to see anyone else before. The hug hurt a little but I ignored the aches.
"Mom, I'm so happy to see you. Where's dad?" I asked as we both moved apart from our hug. I lay back down trying to relax my side. My mom looked down at her hands. She looked so sad. So many things must have happened while I was here.
"Lily he got a call from work yesterday and so he's on some business right now but he'll be back by tomorrow," My mom told me, "But that isn't important right now. I've heard what happened from other people but I really need you to explain. I just don't understand why?" My mother trailed off looking into my eyes. She seemed to be begging for me to help her understand, but I don't think I can. I don't even understand...
"Mom it was just a stupid fight. I wasn't even involved, not really... Travis and Ray they were fighting and I tried my best to stop them but I just got in the way. I guess you know the rest," I looked over at the hospital bed. I didn't want to go into much detail. My mom wouldn't understand it.
"Yes I understand all that but what I really want to know is why? Why would your two friends fight? Why'd you get involved?" questioned my mom catching my eyes as I looked back up. She had a right to know. I didn't want to be the one to say it but I'd have to.
"It was over me. I didn't think. I know that now and I'm so, so sorry. I never wanted to make you and dad worry. I didn't think anything was wrong. Not until, until..." I didn't finish as I started to cry. The tears were ready to break and I couldn't hold them back.
"Shh, shh don't cry honey. It's going to be alright, it's all going to be alright," My mom explained as she hugged me again. I cried into her shoulder for a while as she held me. When my tears finally dried up we parted and she continued, "You don't have to worry about any of it, anymore. Your dad and I have been talking and we've decided that we don't think it's very safe here anymore. We're moving to Manitoba. Your dad's business today is all about the transfer." My mom seemed so hopeful at this idea but it broke my heart even more.
"But mom... we can't leave. We've been here forever. I don't want to just... leave," I replied.
"Lily it's for the best. I know you don't really want to leave but it'll really be better for you. The transfer will be good for your dad too. He'll get a raise and everything. He was offered the position last year but your father and me didn't feel it was right to uproot you. But now... after all that's happened it really would be better for all of us."
"But..." I stopped trying to fight it. Maybe my mom was right. How could I keep going to Roscoe? The students would gossip forever. Maybe it was everything that had happened this year or maybe it was the idea of helping out the family but I decided to just go with it. It wouldn't kill me. I could handle it. If Travis could move all those times I'm sure I could manage one simple move. I nodded my head, "Maybe your right mom," I whispered.
The doctor walked into the room creating a silence between us all. "Hello Lily, How are you doing?' he asked me.
I sucked it up and replied, "I'm doing okay, my side still hurts but I'll be fine."
"Well that's good. You should probably get some rest though. We can discuss all this later," I nodded and he and my mother left the room to talk in the hall. I couldn't hear them but I could imagine what they were talking about.
My eyelids felt heavy as I craned my neck to look out the small rectangular window in the door. I really wished that I could hear them. Slowly I gave up; it hurt too much to stay that way. I rested back down on the pillow and closed my eyes entirely. It didn't make me feel any better though; I just kept seeing the events in my mind's eye. Over and over I saw Ray's smile as he crept up to Travis and then Travis as he punched Ray in the jaw. Then there was the moment that had landed me here... the wall and mine's collision. I knew that I should be furious at what had happened, and maybe I would be another day but right now I just felt bad for letting things get so bad. "Yawn," I slumped over to my right side to ease the pain from my left. "Yawn," the memories vanished and once again I was in my mother's arms. I just wish that I could actually be there.
Later
"Hello Lily?" a voice said slowly to me. I opened my eyes to be confronted with both Ray and Travis. Travis had spoken the simple words to me that brought back the harsh reality of the day. I never thought I'd see them together ever again. I didn't smile at them but I didn't scowl or anything like that. I felt passive today. I wonder how long I slept this time?
"Hey guys," I said almost in a whisper. I coughed and added, "So what have you two been up to?" this statement was louder, more audible. I didn't want to mention the 'fight' or my current situation. There were just too many things that I realized should never be mentioned.
"Nothing really," Ray stated. They looked at each other (the guys that is). I wondered what they were thinking... So many things must have happened since... and wasn't that what I had thought when my mom had been in. I guess it was true with everyone. Thinking about everyone, where's Robbie? I hadn't heard anything about him at all.
I nodded at this as Travis cut in; "Lily we just wanted to say..."
I didn't want to hear this; I wouldn't let them say it, "No please don't... I just don't want to talk about, you know..." I told them. They again glanced over at each other. Something was passing between them but I wasn't sure what.
"Oh yeah, we wouldn't want to... but how are you feeling? Any better," Ray asked me.
"A lot better. Have to stay here for another day or something and then I'm never coming back. So boring here," I answered trying to keep our conversation as normal as any teenager's would be.
"That's really great Lily. We've really missed you, at school, at the station, everywhere. It's so strange not having you there. Everyone's been missing you though. Lots of calls about the disappearance of Shady," Travis replied. He was trying to help me feel better. But truthfully I just wanted them to leave. I would be leaving tomorrow, true but they didn't know yet that it wasn't just home I'd be going. It was to Manitoba. I wondered where? My mom hadn't mentioned that.
"So where's Robbie today?" I questioned. This time Ray gave me the details.
"He's out in the hall, thought we'd might like some time to talk to you alone." I looked thoughtful for a moment and then decided. I really needed to talk to Robbie. I couldn't explain everything to Travis or Ray and they wouldn't be able to deal anyway.
"You guys mind if I um talk to Robbie... alone?" I asked hoping that they would leave and not come back. I just wasn't going to get any better with them anywhere in sight.
"Oh yea sure, course," Ray stated as he and Travis walked to the door. Ray left but Travis turned to stare at me. His stare was truly penetrating. He knew that something else was wrong, I bet. Trav always did. Travis turned back though and continued out as Robbie entered. There was so much I needed to explain. Thank god Robbie was the perfect friend for this.
Thank you for reading!
