She Saved My Life (8) / He Chose Me.

I could see a bruise forming already, the the side of his jaw where I punched him.

He walked in slowly and sat down next to me.
I looked down at my shoes.
The nurse walked in and broke the awkward silence. "Well, here you go Kyle." the nurse said as she mopped up my face.
"Oh Dan, hello. What can I do for you?" she asked kindly. "Uh.. Ice pack please.." he mumbled.
"Okay then" she smiled and left the room again.

"Kyle.." he starts.
"Mhm." I utter.
"I-I, I'm sorry." he apologizes. I stare at him, in shock. "R-really?" I stutter. "Yeah.." he looked embarrassed. He cleared his throat. "So..how's your mum." he asks.

I cringe. "I don't know. I'm seeing her tonight and." I cut myself off. "And what?" he wonders.
"Ah it doesn't matter." I brush it off. "If you say so.." he says unconvinced.

The nurse came in with the Icepack. "Ah, I finally found it! Here you go Dan!" she hands it to him.
"Thanks" he says.
"no worries" she grins. "I'm going to type up some forms on the computer okay, so leave when you need- but if you need me I'll be next door." she finishes. "Thanks" I smile.
"K." is all Dan says.

"Soo.." we both say.
"hah." we smile.
"About before.." I sigh.
"I actually didn't find out till about yesterday. That my mum was in a coma, NOT a work retreat." I blurt. "Oh.. I see, that sucks." he says sympathetically. "Yeah." I agree.
"I'm the youngest in my family. Two older brothers and an older sister. I never seem to please anyone. 'Oh why aren't you like your brother' is all I hear. I never seem to measure up. Because I'm a failure." he admitted.

I sat there stunned.
"What?! You're not a failure." I argue.
"Whatever. Just don't tell anyone, or you're seriously dead." he mimed cutting his throat.
"Clear?!" he demands.
"Crystal" I choke.

"Anyway. I should be going." he says coldly.
"Oh ok.." I say.
As Dan left, I swear I saw a tear fall from his eye and roll down his cheek.

I think to myself. There's no reason to stay here, I'm ready to leave.
*