They sat in the back of the ambulance what seemed like an eternity. Connor held Kevin's hand, even though he was sure that he couldn't feel it. Tears were threatening to spill over onto his face. He was rarely this emotional. He'd always just turned it off in these situations. But that was before Kevin price came into his life.
Before his mission, whenever Connor had gotten feelings that he knew were against what Heavenly Father wanted, he would just turn it off – just forget them. But then Elder Price joined their mission and his perspective changed. He realized he didn't want to forget this gorgeous creature that had entered his live – the perfect man that somehow had feelings for him. Connor remembered every word, every smile, every touch. He would relive them every night in Hell, but he didn't care. He had something, someone to distract him from the pain and suffering he endured every night. When he finally told Kevin about his feelings, he remembered the brunette being overjoyed and saying he felt the same way. And when they kissed... it was more than Connor could have ever dreamed of.
"Excuse me, sir?" the polite, young woman said. Connor looked up at her. "Is there anyone you want to call? Just to let them know the situation?"
He thought for a moment. Who could he call? His parents had all but disowned him and he didn't know how Kevin's parents would react. Suddenly he knew.
"Um, yes. May I borrow your phone?" The woman nodded and handed it to him. He quickly dialled a number and waited for the familiar voice at the other end. Luckily, someone picked up after a few seconds.
"HELLO?" Arnold Cunningham had a tendency to be a little louder than necessary. Connor cringed.
"Hey, Arnold! It's Connor."
"OH, hey buddy! Here, I'll put you on speaker with me and Naba," he said a little quieter than before. But not much. Soon he heard Nabalungi's African accent on the other end.
"Oh, hello Connor! How are you?" He ran a hand through his hair. How do I tell them? he wondered.
"Well, I've been better."
"What is wrong?" Nabalungi said, sounding very concerned.
"Yeah, Con, you don't sound so good," Arnold chimed in. Connor took a deep breath.
"Well, I'm on my way to the hospital." There was no sound on the other end of the phone. Then Nabalungi spoke.
"Are you okay?"
"Well, it's not me, it's Kevin..." With that, he told them everything, from finding him on the floor to getting into the ambulance. There was silence from all three of the friends. He heard Arnold softly crying.
"M-my be-best friend," he sobbed. Connor heard Nabalungi comforting him quietly. He felt his heart throb for the younger man. Kevin was one of Arnold's only friends and Arnold absolutely adored him. Not that the feeling wasn't mutual – Kevin loved Arnold as well. They had had each other's backs since their mission in Uganda.
"Connor? Are you still there?" Nabalungi whispered.
"Yeah. How's Arnold taking it?"
"Not very good. He had to go compose himself. We'll be at the hospital as soon as possible, okay?"
"Alright, see you guys soon." He hung up and held his head in his hand that wasn't holding Kevin's. The ambulance pulled to a sudden stop.
"We're here! Everybody, move out!" one of the paramedics yelled, jolting Connor out of his thoughts. He waited until someone opened the back doors to get out. Kevin was still unconscious. He looks... peaceful, he thought. Like he's sleeping. Suddenly, they were taking Kevin away from him. He ran to catch up as they hurried inside to the emergency wing.
"Wait! I have to stay with him, he's-" A man stopped him from running down the hallway.
"Excuse me sir. Only hospital staff are allowed in this corridor. I'm afraid you'll have to wait out here." He ushered Connor back into the waiting room. He kept looking over his shoulder, expecting to see Kevin, but he didn't.
He wondered if he ever would again.