The chapters are getting longer and longer don't they?
this chapter was suposed to be up yesterday, but typing it out took me a lot longer then i thought...
and even it did counted over 3000 words, the chapter didn't has everything that i wanted to put into it...
but a 4500 words chapter... hmmm
no, i decided to put that in the next, and finish this chapter on a good way (in my opinion)
one other thing... the story isn't going to stop after this chapter...
its barely started in fact...
the next chapter will point out why i couldn't stop the story...
have fun reading :-)
Chapter 8: More Flashbacks and a Stranger.
Ned sat in the waiting room of the Intensive Care. They brought Jennifer in an half an hour ago. Ned shuddered at the memory of when they found her underneath the rails platform. Covered in blood, a bleeding wound in the back of her head and several deep cuts all over her body. Ned immediately called her and his parents as soon they reached the hospital.
- Flashback -
When the last bits of train were cleared of the platform, and the platform itself was removed, Ned saw Jennifer completely. And its fair to say that her face was the only thing of her body that didn't appeared to be injured.
Her soft pink blouse was drenched with blood, the same with most of her jeans. She'd clutched a bloodstain cell phone in her right hand.
When the workers carefully lifted her body onto the surface Redson looked at Ned to see his reaction. Ned simply ignored it and knelt down next to her seemingly lifeless body and gently wiped some blood of her face before he stroke her cheek. Brian placed a hand on his shoulder, and patted it a few times.
Ned sighed and kissed Jennifer's forehead ever so slightly. To see her so pale and covered in blood was a stab in the heart, Ned knew that he could consider himself lucky if she lived long enough to make it to the hospital. The head wound was what scared Ned the most. That and the bleeding wound on her chest. "Hang on, girl. Don't you dare to give up now…" Ned said softly.
Faintly he heard the distant sirens of the ambulance and the police. Several moments later, they pulled up close to the crash site, and several medics ran towards them, two of them carried a cot. Ned hastily stepped back when the medics approached him and Jennifer. He watched with a dull feeling in his stomach how Jennifer, the girl he loved, was carefully lifted on the cot, after she'd got a quick check on a possible injured spine and neck.
An other medic placed a comforting hand on Ned's shoulder and led him towards the ambulance, gesturing him to take a seat up front.
Ned obeyed and clicked on his seatbelt before quickly turning around to look at Jennifer through the small glass between the front seats.
"Don't worry, she's strong…" said the same medic that placed a hand on Ned's shoulder while fastening his seatbelt as well. Ned threw him a appreciative smile, and looked back at Jennifer.
"You haven't gave up on her when everyone else did… as harsh as it may sound, so don't give up on her now kid…" The medic said before he drove the ambulance with a wailing siren onto the Soledad Canyon Road.
- End Flashback -
Ned sighed and stared at the double hospital door through which Jennifer disappeared. A door down the hall flew open, and Jennifer's parents appeared, spotting Ned, they rushed over to him.
"Ned," Mrs. Mosley cried and swept him in a spine-breaking hug. "Sorry we didn't believed you honey," she let go of him and wiped away her tears.
"Yes, Ned, if it wasn't for you…" Mr. Mosley said slightly uncomfortable.
"Its alright, if I had a daughter, and she was in a crash, I would've punched the guy who shouted at her burial that she was still alive, I want to apologize for that…" Ned looked at his shoes.
Mr. and Mrs. Mosley looked at each other with a look of pure disbelieve. "You apologize to us?" Mr. Mosley finally spoke.
"Ned, honey, you saved her life… she would've been… well if you didn't pressed the matter… and everyone treated you like a madman…" Mrs. Mosley stammered and hugged Ned again.
"Ned," Mr. Mosley eyed Ned, the seriousness dripped of his face. "I want to apologize too… Before you and Jenny started to go out, you were like a soon to me, and I'm sorry that I treated you like some sort of criminal… Its just… Jenny is my baby girl, and I guess I couldn't stand the fact that I'm not the only man in her life anymore…" Mr. Mosley ran a hand though his hear, clearly discomforted. "What I'm trying to say is, I'm sorry, and I know that you would never hurt her, in any way… you make her happier then I ever saw her, but there're going to be some rules you have to obey when you date my daughter… The first, never dare to bring her home after midnight, unless you have my permission… her education is important, so don't do anything to interfere that… and if you two ever get a fight, and she walks away… don't force her to talk about it if she doesn't wants to…and if you hurt her…"
"Don't worry Mr. Mosley, I love Moze more than my own life… I would never hurt her…" Ned interrupted with a truthful face. "And I promise that I'll obey the rules," he added.
Mr. Mosley smiled. "Then, I see no reason why I should forbid you to date her…"
Ned smiled widely. "Thanks sir, this means a lot to me…" before Ned realized what he did, he hugged Mr. Mosley, who patted him helplessly on his back.
Ned remembered something and released Mr. Mosley. "I have to make a few phone calls…" Ned said softly.
"Go ahead dear, we'll let you know immediately when we get some news," Mrs. Mosley said gently.
"I'll be outside on the bench…" Ned said and turned around.
The sun seemed to be smiling at him when Ned walked outside. His girl was still alive! And no doubt that she was in good hands now. He sat down at the sun-heated bench that was positioned at the middle of the small hospital garden. Different kinds of flowers surrounded the path that lead to the tiny fountain in the centre. Around the fountain, several deep brown benches where positioned before the red and blue flowers. The grass was smooth and seemed to be freshly mowed. Ned watched an elder couple walk the path towards the fountain. Where they took a seat on the bench. The woman intertwined her fingers with his and looked at her husband with loving eyes and a bright smile. Ned adverted his gaze and sighed. His missed Moze more then he could bear. Missed her laugh, how her smile seemed only directed to him… the way she looks at him when he did or said something funny. Ned had to admit, he wasn't the most perfect guy, and yet, Jennifer stuck with him. No matter what, she would always be there.
Ned drew his cell phone and grinned. It was time to break the good news.
He dialed the number of Cookie first, seeing he supported him throughout his whole theory and was there for him when Ned needed him.
"Y'ello?" Cookies voiced said on the other side of the line.
"Cookie? Its me Ned," Ned said softly, eager to break the news.
"Ned are you alright?" Cookie asked with a worried tone.
"Better then ever," Ned beamed.
"How come?" Cookie asked, confused.
Ned told him the whole story, of what happened when he left Cookie's house, till the point that he called him.
"Wait… What?!" Cookie said as soon Ned finished his story.
"Yes, Cookie, she is still alive, and I found her…" Ned laughed.
"Wow… Have you told Suzie yet?" Cookie asked eagerly.
"No I called you first… after Moze's and my parents of course…" Ned explained.
"You call her, I'll inform everyone else…" Cookie said.
"How?" Ned asked, curious.
"Multi text messaging," Cookie said simply.
"Oh, ok, bye Cookie,"
"Bye,"
Ned hung up and immediately dialed Suzie's number. Although he wasn't sure about her reaction.
Suzie picked up after the fifth ring. "Hello?"
"Suzie? Its me, Ned…"
"Ned…" Suzie began, enjoyed. "If you're calling me to tell me more about your stupid idea's…"
"No listen Suzie, I'm sorry for that…" Ned said soothingly.
Suzie sighed. "Why are you calling me Ned?"
Ned sighed also, and braced himself. "Moze is in the hospital right now…"
"What?!" shrieked Suzie. Ned held his cell away from his, now buzzing ear for a moment before he went on. "Please Suzie, believe me, she is in the intensive care as we speak…"
"So… she's still…alive?" Suzie stuttered.
"Yes," Ned said patiently.
"I'm coming to the hospital, I have to know…" her voice faded.
"I'm not lying Suzie…" Ned said softly.
"I know Ned… See you soon…" Suzie hung up.
Ned stared at his cell for a while. He called Suzie, and Cookie said he would let everyone else know. He pocketed his cell phone and stared in front of him. Letting an other memory play in his head.
- Flashback -
The gym was transformed in the most girly room Ned ever saw. The walls were decorated with pink and red hearts, several cupids, complete with arrows and diapers hung down from the ceiling. Above the disco ball , over the entire ceiling, pink clouds with aiming cupids were visible. The floor was almost completely covered in rose petals. The cupcakes and punchbowls were shaped in hearts. The dozens of tables had red silky tablecloths. With a lit candle on each of them. The tables were suited for four persons max. Even the basketball ring was covered in red flowers.
Ned loosened his red tie a little, he felt very uncomfortable in his red tuxedo and if it wasn't required to wear them, Ned would've simply showed up in a comfortable jeans and shirt. He looked at Suzie, who looked stunning in his opinion. Her red long dress fitted her well, it had a split that reached up until just above her right knee. The gown itself reached until her ankles. Her hais formed an elegant knot in her neck, the red necklace and heels completed the outfit.
But when he spotted Jennifer, who stood next to Trevor with a grim face, looked breathtaking. Her blue silky gown reached until the ground with a split that stopped at mid thigh. It had a deep v-neck, but bleu lace made sure that no-one would see to much. The sleeves where long and ended widely, like the sleeves of an angels robe. The light blue dress covered her strap-on high heels in the exact same color. Her hair was pulled in a gracefully Partial French Twist, so her long brown hair swayed on her back a little with every move.
Ned looked at her with his mouth agape, and soon saw that he wasn't the only one; Trevor couldn't torn his eyes away from her, and simply gazed at her, not even noticing the bored expression on Jennifer's face.
A little further he saw Loomer and his two 'partners in crime' looking at her as if they saw an angel. Even Coconut Head seemed to be dashed.
From the corner of his eye, Ned saw Cookie looking at him with a huge grin on his face. Ned felt like a kid who got caught with his hand in the candy jar and quickly closed his mouth and looked away. He heard Suzie sigh and worried if she saw him looking at Jennifer instead of being completely stunned by her beauty as he should… at least… according to Suzie.
"Punch?" Ned asked Suzie, not knowing what else to say.
"Yes…" Suzie nodded with a appreciating smile. "Ow and Ned," Suzie said when Ned turned to get some punch. "could you also bring me a cupcake?"
"No problem," Ned sighed. The party nearly started and he already felt like a butler.
When he filled two plastic beaker with the reddish punch. Cookie snuck up on him. "So… have you finally found out?" he asked in a casual tone.
Ned frowned. "Found out what?" he asked confused.
"That you like Moze," Cookie continued, still talking in his casual voice.
"Cookie, can you give it a rest? There's no way that I have any deeper feelings for Moze then friendship… what gave you the idea in the first place?" Ned said in a tired voice. He was just sick of the topic that always came up in verey single conversation he had with Cookie.
"Besides the way you looked at her a few moments ago?" Cookie asked sarcastic. "well lets see… you're always very cheerfully when she kisses you on the cheek. You look like you're in heaven when she hugs you… or d'you remember that time…"
"Ok, I got it already! Look Cookie, Moze and I are friends, and that'll never change… no matter what…" with that Ned left with the two beakers of punch.
He gave Suzie her cup with a fake smile. Suzie looked at Ned as if expecting something. "My cupcake?" Suzie asked when Ned eyed her questionably.
"Right… be right back," Ned almost run towards the long table with the cakes. He grabbed one and made his way back to Suzie. With a mutter of apology he handed her the cake, and looked around him.
Some couples were already on the dance floor since the first mushy love song began several seconds ago.
Ned inwardly grunted when he saw Jennifer dancing with Trevor. They looked so perfect together if you stopped and thought about it; both where they captain of the sports teams, they both were popular (even though Jennifer denied it) and they were both competitive. Ned sighed, telling himself that the vicious creature, that roared in displeasure with the sight of Jennifer and Trevor together, was nothing more then a brotherly feeling of apprehension. He didn't trusted Trevor, end of story… It didn't had anything to do with whether he had feelings for Jennifer or not. He just looked out for her, nothing more.
"Wanna dance?" Suzie asked, although it sounded more like an command.
"Sure," Ned answered while he didn't even heard what Suzie said. It was only when Suzie took his cup out of his hand and pulled him over to the dance floor that Ned knew what was going to happen. And he didn't like it one bit.
Suzie wrapped her arms around his neck and laid her head against his shoulder as they slowly turned on the spot. Ned laid his hands reluctantly on her waist.
When Suzie lifted her head up to look him in the eyes several moments later, he braced himself. He knew what was going to happen, and for the first time, he honestly didn't wanted it to happen. Susie lifted her head more upwards and kissed Ned softly on the lips. During the short kiss Ned's first thought was how Jennifer's lips would feel against his, and this thought shocked him so deeply that he abruptly broke the kiss.
"What's wrong?" Suzie asked, faintly pouting.
"Nothing, I just… remembered that I didn't like this song…" Ned said while mentally kicking himself, it sounded lame, even in his ears!
"Ok…" Suzie said unconvinced, while eying Ned suspiciously.
Meanwhile, Ned tried to push the thought off, but failed miserably. How could he even think such a thing?! He dated the girl of his dreams for nearly three years, and that he thought about kissing his best friend! That felt just as wrong as thinking of kissing your sibling. Well, maybe not, but it was still bad. Maybe Cookie was right, maybe he had more feelings for the girl with the big brown eyes then he knew. Ned quickly threw that thought out of the window; there was no way that he liked Jennifer more then a close friend, and even if he did, there was no way that he would risk their almost life-long friendship…
Ned sighed, he needed to talk to Cookie, maybe that he knew what to do, he did figure Ned's feelings for Jennifer out long before Ned himself did…
"Can I have this dance?" A Junior year asked Suzie. He was tall, had short brown hair. His face was slightly tanned with freckles on and next to his nose.
Suzie looked at Ned. "Sure, go ahead, I need to talk to a friend anyway…" Ned said quickly, relieved that he now had an excuse.
Suzie took the Junior's hand and disappeared into the crowd that filled the dance floor. In seconds, she vanished completely from Ned's view.
Ned frowned to himself, it was the first time that he didn't got jealous when a boy other then him gave Suzie attention.
Dazed, he made his way towards the punch table. To his surprise Jennifer stood there, gulping a full cup of punch down in one swig.
"Hi," Ned greeted slightly awkward.
"Hey Neddy!" Jennifer said with such an enthusiasm that she nearly spilled punch all over her from her newly filled cup.
"Are you alright," Ned asked with a frown.
"Of course," Jennifer giggled while making a waving gesture at him. "Ok, I'm not fine!" she snapped afterwards, as if Ned pressed the matter.
"That jerk of a Trevor is driving me insane! A rhino would be more of a gentlemen according to him! Always staring… And not at my face… noooo! He acts like he owns the place and everyone in it! Like I'm some kind of possession! And what's with his hair? He can't leave his disastrous excuse for a decent haircut alone for one freakin' minute! Really, compared to his, Coconut Head's haircut looks like it came from a magazine! What happened? A war with his electric hedge trimmer?" Jennifer was so busy with complaining that she didn't notice the many stares and laughs from the people around her.
"So, how's your night?" she asked after a large swig of punch.
"I think my feelings for Suzie died…" Ned said matter of factly.
"Oow," Jennifer pouted and before Ned knew what was going on, she swept him into a hug. A lot of "ooh's and aah's" from the people around them buzzed in Ned ears and he blushed slightly.
"What happened?" Jennifer asked as soon she let go of him.
"Dunno actually… I just don't like her like I used to like her… I dread it when I know she's going to kiss me, and as soon as I see her, I feel like hiding," Ned tried to explain.
Jennifer looked at her mop haired friend with compassion. "But you liked her since the fourth grade…"
"I know…" Ned sighed.
Out of the blue, Jennifer started to giggle. Ned frowned at her. His frown deepened when she started to laugh the living daylight out of herself.
"What's so funny?" Ned asked, confused.
Jennifer just waved dismissively, and continued laughing.
"I'm… sorry…N…Ned," She managed to squeal between laughs.
"Ok…" Ned said, walking towards the punch bowl. "What did they put in here anyway…?" he scooped a little punch with the spoon and sniffed at it. He jerked his head away when a strong odor of alcohol met his nose. "This is spiked!" Ned said to Jennifer, who didn't seem to have heard that.
"Moze, how many cups did you have?" Ned asked with highly raised eyebrows.
Jennifer frowned for a few moments before raising eight fingers in the air.
"Five!" she said with a face convinced voice.
"Right…" Ned sighed. "You're drunk aren't you?"
"Psh, of course not!" right after she said this, Jennifer tripped and nearly fell flat on her face if it wasn't for Ned's quick reflexes. "Ok, maybe a little," she said while getting on her feet again.
"Yeah, I thought as much…" Ned said while rolling his eyes. "You stay here, I'm going to find Cookie… And don't go anywhere!"
Jennifer made an army-salute. "Yes sir!"
Ned sighed deeply and took off. He found Cookie near the cake table.
"Ned, is something wrong?" Cookie asked, alarmed by the look on Ned's face.
"Moze is smashed," Ned said in a hurry.
Cookie's eyes widened. "I always wanted to see a drunk Moze.." he grinned.
"Cookie, this is serious!" Ned said firmly.
"Where is she?" Cookie asked, all of the sudden serious.
"By the punch table…" Ned said, gesturing wildly around him.
The two boys took off towards the punch table with Lisa in their wake.
Ned nearly panicked when he found the punch table deserted.
"Where is she?" Ned muttered, looking around with utter bewilderment.
"owh," Cookie said alarmed while pointing at the dance floor.
Ned looked in the same direction that Cookie pointed out, and didn't like one bit of what he saw.
Jennifer stood on the dance floor, in front of the also pissed Trevor, who seemed to try to force something.
When Ned looked more closely, he noticed that Trevor was doing his very best to hold her hands, that kept pushing him away, firmly while attempting to kiss her.
The monster in Ned's chest roared with pure repugnance and repulsion. He stepped towards the dance floor.
- End Flashback -
"Ned?" the voice of Suzie Crabgrass pulled Ned back out of his memory. He looked at her witch slight confusion.
"Sorry I just got… distracted…" Ned admitted while rubbing his temples.
Suzie took a seat next to him and looked at Ned with suspicious yet hopeful eyes. "Ned, you wouldn't… lie about this… would you?"
"Of course not!" Ned said defensive. "Look, I know that I stated the impossible, and no doubt it was painful for everyone that loved Moze… But I've been right all along…" Ned sighed and started to tell his story of what happened after he left Suzie's house.
By the time Ned was finished, Suzie's eyes were big, and wet of the unshed tears. "Do you think she'll be ok?" Suzie asked.
Ned frowned. "I honestly don't know…" he sighed deeply and looked at the elder couple that still sat a few benches further.
He jerked his head up when he saw Mrs. Mosley ran towards them. Ned feared the worst and tried to mentally brace himself. But how can you honestly prepare yourself for the most horrible news? Ned tried to get rid of his torturous feeling that Mrs. Mosley had the most horrible news to tell him. For all he knew she came to tell him that Jennifer was awake…
With a stomach filled with concrete Ned stood up to face Mrs. Mosley.
quite a chapter... my baby... -sighs- OWKAY...
dunno when the next update is, saturday is upload day... but it might be up sooner then that, or maybe even later... dunno
i also want to thank everyone for the reviews, i love them all!!!