this one is actially kinda long :D Please enjoy, and the character Mai Jendayi is my good friend's Kanae's. if you wanna read more about Mai, please read New Blud written by Kanae. also i have to thank her for beta-ing this :D

L.L.A.P

~Laces

Chpt.3

Some doctors came in and helped me with physical therapy. How to get used to walking on that plastic leg and what not.

I was lying asleep in my hospital bed, when I woke up to see the paramedic from before walking over to me. She smiled softly at me and questioned,

"How are you holding up?"

"Okay I guess." There was something wrong. I could tell by looking at her eyes. I couldn't put my finger on it for sure, but there was something up. Maybe it had nothing to do with me, but I could still sense some sort of sadness with her.

I looked to my right to see that I had a room mate and he was looking at her with a worried expression.

"Are you okay?" I inquired. She looked almost pained and I felt bad for asking, but she answered,

"I'm doing the best I can." I didn't want to ask her about what happened to her. I didn't want to make her more sad then she already seemed. She quickly changed the subject, and gave a weak smile.

"I brought you some books." She handed me about five books and I smiled at her. I loved reading and she made sure to buy books that would span to any of my interests. There was Percy Jackson, Tom Sawyer, Rowan Hood, The Outsiders, and the White Company.

"Thank you, Ms. Jendayi," I smiled. She smiled sadly, and said,

"Please, call me Mai." She then looked at the clock. "I better get back out there. Feel better, Marley."

"Thanks. Bye, Mai." I waved and she was out of the room.

With Mai gone I decided to take a look at my temporary roommate. I looked over at him, and I could tell by his eyes that he was upset. He almost looked like he was dragged to the hospital.

"So. What're you in for?" I inquired. The man chuckled softly at my question, then answered,

"I got shot in the shoulder. Nothing too bad. It's sort of pointless me being here right now," he sighed, obviously not liking hospitals much. "What about you?" he inquired. I was silent for a moment, then answered,

"My right leg got amputated," I could see his face grow pale.

"I'm so sorry," he whispered.

"Don't be. It's not like you could've saved me. Besides. It's my fault… I wasn't thinking." The man still seemed to have pain behind his eyes.

"How are you coping?" he inquired in a softer tone.

"Okay I guess. I'm more afraid of what's gonna happen when I get out of this place." I shrugged with a sigh.

"Why? The moment I get out of here will be one of the happiest days of my life," he said, looking around the place nervously. I giggled lightly. He seemed like a funny man.

"Well, my mom passed away a few months back," I answered sadly, "and my dad…" I started to choke up. I hated crying, but I could feel the hot tears in my eyes.

"Shh shhh. It's okay," he said softly, trying to give me a reassuring smile.

"My dad killed himself," I finally was able to get the words out.

"I'm sorry to hear about your loss," he stated.

"It's all my fault. Maybe if I pushed him harder to get back on his feet. Or maybe if I took more jobs to bring in some more money, or…" the man cut me off.

"It's not your fault. He chose to do what he did."

"But if I was a better daughter maybe he would of thought! Maybe he would've decided to stay instead of leave me," I explained.

"Don't talk yourself into believing that," he said softly. "It's okay…" I felt like a bomb exploded inside of me.

"No! it's not okay! My dad killed himself not even thinking, and like father like daughter I didn't think when I crossed the street! Now I don't have a leg and you say that everything will be okay?" I sobbed. There was silence in the room aside from my heavy breathing and tears coursing down my cheeks. Finally I realized how I snapped at the poor man who only got himself shot in the shoulder and didn't want to be here.

"I'm sorry for yelling at you," I said in a raspy voice. He gave me a comforting grin.

"You needed to get it out, but just remember. It's not your fault," he explained.

"Thanks Mr.…"

"Grayson. Dick Grayson, but you can call me Dick," he smiled.

"Thank you Dick," I smiled back.

"And what's your name?" he inquired.

"Marluxia Lance, but you can call me Marley," I grinned. Just then a nurse walked into the room smiling at Dick.

"Mr. Grayson, you are all checked out and free to go," she grinned.

"You're right." I chuckled to Dick. "You probably could have gotten out of here a lot sooner."

"I'm happy that I didn't," he smiled back, and got up to leave the room with his arm in a sling.

"Bye," I grinned.

"Hey. Maybe I could stop by and visit you some time," he smiled. I nodded my head.

"Yah. Okay. Thanks," I couldn't help but grin.

"Bye," he waved.

"Bye," and he was out of the room, and I was alone once again. Dick got me thinking.

Was it really my fault? Dick seems pretty convinced that it wasn't. but I still had the feeling of guilt in my stomach. I started to miss Dick. There goes a person who actually helped me. Not the doctors who consider it their job to just smile and say "everything will be fine." Except for Mai. She actually seemed to have a heart and cared. I sighed and slumped into my pillow. Being in the hospital gave me a lot of time to think.