Sadly, this is the last chapter. Tear, tear.

Anyway...

Chapter 9

Tip's eyes opened to slits and he could see bits of his surroundings. There was machines, four walls, a television and two blurry figures. He opened his eyes wider and one of the squealed. "Look, he's awake!"

He blinked a couple times, squinting at the light, unaware of his surroundings. Then the memories came flashing back to him. The empty gym, the pain, the blood and then darkness. He didn't understand what happened.

"What happened," Tip asked, looking at the figures, which he recognized as his parents. "Where am I?"

"You're in the hospital. Tip," Elaine said, grabbing hold of her son's hand. "You're safe."

"What happened?" Elaine looked to Jack, who was looking at the ground. He was shaking his head, looking disappointed. "Oh, you found out about Troy?" Tip asked, knowing they probably knew Troy had been hitting.

"What do you mean?" Jack asked.

"You found out Troy's been hitting me," Tip said. "Bree told you right?"

Elaine sighed. "So it wasn't out of the blue."

Tip looked at Jack, his eyes showing that he was somewhat surprised. "What did he do?"

"Tip, he was the person who stabbed you."

Tip didn't say anything. It didn't surprise him that it was Troy. Obviously, it surprised his parents, and didn't want to make them feel bad. "Tip, why didn't you tell us?"

"I didn't think you'd believe me," Tip told his parents. "It was my word against Troy's. Who were you going to believe?"

Jack and Elaine stared at Tip, not knowing how to answer. They didn't know who they'd believe. It was the worst position for a parent to be in, picking one child over the other. "I don't know," Jack finally said. "But, it's over now. You're safe."

"Where's Troy?"

"He's getting help," Elaine said. "We sent him to a center where he could get help up in Santa Fe."

"So, he's going to miss graduation?"

"Yeah," Jack told him, sitting down in a chair. "But, it will be a lot better for him to miss graduation than not go get help. Enough about Troy, how are you feeling?"

Tip shrugged. "My back hurts a little, not much, but a little."

"You have some friends outside that would like to see you," Elaine told him. "Are you up for it?"

Tip smiled and nodded. Jack and Elaine left and the second they were out the door, Bree came running in, followed by a few others. "I hate you! You scared me so much!"

"So it's my fault," Tip said in mock anger. "You hate me because I got stabbed."

"Yes!" she said laughing.

Chad sat down in the chair beside Tip's bed. "Are you okay?"

Tip nodded. "Are you?" he asked, knowing it was probably hard to Chad to admit that Troy had actually been hitting him.

Chad smiled, before nodding his head. "Always thinking of others, even though you could have died!" Zeke teased. "Don't worry, we won the game."

"How long have I been asleep for?" Tip asked.

"Only a few days," Jason said. "Now, aren't you going to congratulate us. We won without either Bolton. That's an accomplishment!"

"I guess," Tip said nonchalantly.

hsmhsmhsmhsm

Tip stood up and walked three feet before grabbing hold of the pole that held up the basketball hoop. He was practicing his walking that had become hard for him since he was stabbed. For the better part of three months, he had to use a wheelchair and he could only walk during rehab and physical therapy sessions. Now, in August, he was finally getting a chance to walk, even if only for a few feet.

His legs felt like jelly from their lack of use. He heard a chuckle from behind him and turned around. "Are you laughing at me?"

Bree nodded. "It's just so funny to watch Tip struggle with something."

"Ha ha," Tip said, "very funny!"

"I thought so."

Tip walked over to his wheelchair and sat down, Bree sitting down in his lap. "Is Tip mad at me?" she asked smiling.

He shook his head. "Nah. But I have a question."

"Okay," Bree said. "Tell me."

"Alright. My friend has this mad crush on someone," Tip said confidently. "But, he doesn't know if she feels the same way. What should he do?"

Bree raised her eyebrows. "Well, he could shut up and kiss her."

Tip smiled and raised his own eyebrows, asking her silently if she meant what he's said. She rolled her eyes and leaned down to kiss him. "How did you know?" Tip asked her, a huge smile on his face.

"Tip, who else would ask you for advice on a girl, then you come to me about it?" She shook her head. "The only person I could think of would be Mace, with Chad leaving soon, but he has a girlfriend, so it wasn't him."

"What if it wasn't me?" Tip asked.

"Then," she said. "The guy should still just shut up and kiss her. It took you long enough."

"Tip?"

Bree jumped off Tip's lap and looked at Tip scared. His face showed no emotion as he wheeled himself over to the gate. "What, did you get off on good behavior?"

Troy rolled his eyes. "I wasn't in jail Tip. But sort of." He sighed. "Look what I did to you. Can you walk?"

Tip nodded. "A little, not much. I've got to learn it all over again."

"Tip, I'm sorry. Something took over me, and I thought...I don't even know anymore. I just hope you can forgive me."

"I guess," Tip said. "I mean, we are brothers after all. What are you doing here?"

"I just wanted to see Mom and Dad before I jetted off to college," Troy said. "Wanted to apologize...to you, mainly."

"Where are you going?" Tip asked.

"Umm...University of Massachusetts," he said. "I'm not a threat anymore, I've got a clean bill of health, but I've still have to go to stupid therapist and stuff. Chad still around, or has he left?"

"He's still around," Tip said. "Probably over at Jason's. He's leaving tomorrow."

"Cool," Troy said. "If I don't see you again, see ya and I'm sorry again."

Tip waved his hand. "Don't worry about it. I understand, you have – had – a mental problem. It's fixed, you're better."

"Have fun with Bree," Troy said, winking as he walked toward the house.

"Shut up!" Tip yelled laughing. "I hate you!"

"No you don't!"

Tip smiled and wheeled over to Bree. "So," he said. "Would you be my girlfriend?"

Bree smiled. "Are you kidding me? Of course!"

Tip smiled and looked back to the gate. It was shut, some of the white paint chipping off from all the times a basketball made contact with it. "So, school's starting in soon."

Bree groaned, sitting down on Tip. "Don't remind me! Should we tell anyone?"

"Let it be a surprise," Tip said. "I want to see how long it takes for Mace to realize there's something going on between us."

"That could be days," Bree joked.

Tip laughed. "You're right."

So, the end.

How did you like it?

Tell me what you think!

Review!

And look out for another story, coming soon, by me. I don't know what it will be, but it'll come out soon.

Adios!