Chapter 11- Miss Popular
I sat under our tree and spent a moment sketching a new picture of Brynn or at least I tried to, but I kept getting interrupted by people walking by and asking me how Brynn was doing.
"Good, she should be home in a few days." The conversations never ran longer than that until Jason Styles stopped by.
"Hey, Finn."
"John?"
"Jason."
"Right." I never could remember that kids' name. I did recall him calling Brynn a freak though, which is why I didn't bother apologizing for not knowing his name.
Jason just stood there digging the toe of his one shoe into the dirt.
"Did you want something?" I asked.
"I uh... Brynn is going to be okay, right? I mean she isn't going to die or anything?"
I close my art pad and look up at him. "From what the doctors say, she should be okay but it's going to be a long recovery. She's not out of the woods just yet."
Jason looks down at me. He has such a sorrowful expression on his face. "I'm glad to hear it. I uh... I lost my dad to cancer last year."
"Oh," I really didn't know what to say to that. To lose a parent must be horrible. I don't even like to entertain the idea of a day when my parents aren't around. "I'm sorry about your dad, Jason. That had to be really hard on you."
Jason clears his throat to get control over whatever emotion is threatening to take him over. "Yeah. Well... can you tell her...when you see her... just tell her I'm sorry for calling her a freak and I hope she makes a quick recovery?"
"Yeah, sure."
He gives me a sad smile, a slight nod to his head, then he turns and walks away.
The bell rings and I get to my locker and found Tyler waiting for me. He punches my shoulder. "OW!!!" I shout rubbing it.
"You said you'd call me back. You NEVER called me back. Do you know how worried sick I was that something bad happened?"
"I'm sorry. I meant to, I just... it was a really long day," I offered lamely.
"Yeah," was all Tyler replied thankfully he was willing to let it go. "So how's our girl doing?"
"Our girl?" I say with one raised eyebrow.
"Hey, you know the whole team as adopted her. She's practically our new mascot."
This made me laugh. I could just imagine what Brynn would have to say to that. "She's doing great. She's made it through the surgery just 2 more days and she comes home for the hospital."
"When can she come back to school?" Tyler asked as I shut my locker door and we walked together to English Class.
"It will be a few weeks. She still has to heal up from the surgery and go through radiation treatments."
"Radiation? Wow! But then she'll be good right?" It was easy to read the concern on my best friend's face and in the tone of his voice.
"Yeah, she'll be good. For now," I add thinking of my conversation with Adam and hating that I let that his doubt play around in my mind, but it's difficult not to.
"So the cancer? It can come back?"
"It may. But then again she may be good for the rest of our lives," I tell him, trying to stay positive.
Tyler grins at me. "Our lives, huh? Already decided you can't live without her? Planning on making that official?" he questions me.
"I've thought about it numerous times but I don't want to rush it. We have time." I had to believe that. "I may have talked her into moving in with me though, once she turns 18 and once we've graduated."
"Hey!" Tyler looks at me offended. "I thought we were dorming together next year."
"I thought you were getting married?" I counter.
Tyler shrugs. "I am but Sierra and aren't in any rush to tie the knot. We figured 2 years to plan and save up would do."
"Oh." I hadn't thought of that. I didn't consider that they would wait to get married. That does put a crimp in my plans, as I didn't want to let him down.
"It's alright, Bro," Tyler said shoving my shoulder. "Life is short, right? So, I get it. You need to be with your girl."
I smiled relieved that he was letting me off the hook. "Thanks!"
We take our seats for class and the rest of my day preceded pretty much the same. The only difference was several times I was stopped in the hallway and asked about Brynn. When I got to the yearbook to turn in the pages Brynn had completed Crystal nearly broke into tears.
"I can't believe she thought to get this done with everything else she had to worry about. I was such a B to her over the break-in to the office. I hope she'll forgive me," Crystal said with pleading eyes.
"I'm sure she's already forgotten all about it, Crystal," I soothed with a pat on her shoulder.
She sniffs. "You really think so?"
"I really do," I told her, knowing that Brynn really isn't the type to hold a grudge.
Throughout the day I've been collecting Brynn's assignments. Most of her teachers were pretty cool about letting her slide while she's recovering, giving her projects instead of assignments so she'd have a longer duration of time to get things done.
I stopped in her art class and her teacher was rather emotional over Brynn not returning for two months. She really loved Brynn, said she was the best artist in the class. Even asked me to see if I could get her to reconsider applying for a scholarship to the University of the Arts.
"I know she could get in, Finn. I just haven't been able to convince her to apply. See what you can do will you?"
I said I would try, but gave no guarantee, as I knew Brynn's heart was set on becoming a home health aide so she could take care of her grandmother. She then handed me a bunch of homemade cards the class had made Brynn, wishing her a speedy recovery.
I bumped into Adam on the way out of the class. "Hey, you still good to deliver a shake to Brynn today?"
"Yeah, just text me and let me know and I'll make it happen."
"Thanks!"
Adam just nodded and walked into the room. Would it kill the guy to smile?
At lunch, I call to check up on Brynn.
"Hey, gorgeous!" Brynn laughs and I love the sound. "Feeling any better today?"
"I hurt slightly less when you make me laugh but that may just be the pain killers they are giving me," she informs me.
"So does that mean I get to tickle you now?" I tease.
"NO!" she states adamantly and I laugh.
"You know for a girl who's spent most of her school career trying to blend in and not stand out, you've really made an impression on everyone. In fact, I'm going out on a limb to say, right now, you are like the most popular girl in this school."
"What?! You're crazy," Brynn tells me.
"No, it's true. I can't take more than 10 steps without someone stopping me to ask how you are. I don't mind it though because it pretty much ensures I'll be thinking about you all day long."
"Oh? So you need total strangers to ask you random questions to spur you to think about me?"
I grinned at her sarcasm even though I know she can't see me. "Jason Styles says hello."
"Jason Styles? But he didn't even know my name."
"Well, he knows it now and he's sorry for calling you a freak."
"Ah, no big deal," Brynn said and I can almost picture her shrugging.
"Crystal too. She would like to apologize for being, in her own words, a "B" to you, when she blamed you for the reason Yearbook got broken into."
"I had already forgotten about that," Brynn said, "But now that she brought it up. I am mad."
I chuckle. "Are you really?"
"No, I'm really not," she states and I hear her giggle.
"I didn't think you were the type to hold a grudge."
"Oh, I can hold a grudge alright. I'm just not about to do it over something that stupid."
"Good to know," I said, logging that tidbit away.
"Are you coming by today to visit?" she asks, and I am surprised that she actually believes something could keep me away.
"Of course I am. Hey, are you allowed solid foods yet?"
"They think I'll be good by dinnertime, why?"
"Just curious," I tell her, not wanting to ruin the surprise of Adam dropping by.
"Should I be concerned?" she questions and I laughed.
"You getting paranoid on me?"
"I don't know. Maybe? For a guy who was very by the book you've become rather unpredictable, you know."
I smiled at that assessment of my nature. I had to admit there may be something to it. I have become rather spontaneous, perhaps at times reckless but not without cause.
"Well, I got to keep you on your toes," I joke, "I wouldn't want you to become bored with me."
"Me? Bored with you?"
"You never know it could happen." Although I really hoped it wouldn't.
"Never!" she replies and I'm glad she thinks so.
"I gotta go. Lunch is nearly over. I'll see you soon."
"Can't wait."
"Love you!" I add in for good measure.
"Love you, too." Those 3 little words coming from her never fail to do funny things to my heart.
I hated having to hang up but the bell was about to ring so I had no choice. I consoled myself with the knowledge that I will be seeing her later. I get to my lunch table. I'll have to eat something on the run or maybe sneak a snack in the library during study hall since I missed lunch. I get to the table and the whole team looks at me with expressions I'm not sure how to read. It's kind of that look people get when they hear some juicy gossip and can't wait to spill it to others to get their reaction. Yeah, something like that.
"What's up?"
They all look down the table at Mike. So I looked at him too. He looks miserable. "What's going on?"
"Go ahead," he tells them.
Tyler blurts out, "Jessica got kicked out of school."
"What?! Why?"
Terrance chimes in, "You know that guy that pushed Brynn down the stairs?"
"Yeah, we have no idea who he is?"
"That's just it," Koby jumps in, "when he heard about Brynn and the whole cancer thing he felt so guilty he turned himself in."
"No, Shit!," I exclaimed stunned.
"Right?!" Tyler looks just as stunned. "So your mom learned all about Jessica's involvement."
"Wait?! What about Adam?" I ask concerned knowing he was somewhat involved too, with leaving notes in Brynn's locker.
The team looked at one another. "What about him?" Terrance asked.
"He didn't get in trouble too did he?"
Koby shrugged and Tyler wasn't sure. I look at Mike. He sighs and speaks up for the first time since this conversation began.
"The issue was about Brynn getting pushed down the stairs. The guy Jessica paid to do it didn't know about Adam and the letters. I doubt Jessica would bring that up as it would make her look worse."
I breathed a sigh of relief. The last thing I wanted to happen is Adam getting into trouble. He had enough issues to deal with at home without adding that to his plate.
"You sure?" I asked Mike.
"I'm guessing but yeah I'm pretty sure. If Adam got into trouble we'd all have heard about it by now."
The rest of the team nodded in agreement at Mike's assessment of the situation.
"Wow! She must really be upset," I said as the news sunk in.
Tyler's look is incredulous, "Seriously Dude! She paid to have your girlfriend pushed down a flight of stairs and that's all you got to say?"
"Hold up. All we know is that Jessica paid some guy to shove Brynn. I don't think either of them expected her to fall down a flight of stairs. Jessica wasn't trying to kill Brynn."
"You so sure about that?" Koby questioned.
I gave him my, 'Really?' face and he laughs.
"I'm just saying the girl is evil. I wouldn't put anything passed her."
I shrug at this as there isn't really any way to defend Jessica and I honestly didn't want to. Besides her actions spoke for her. I did feel bad for Mike though.
The bell rang and the rest of the Team disbursed. "You okay?" I asked Mike.
He shrugs. "It doesn't matter really, does it? She's not my girlfriend anymore. Not that she won't try and call me later today looking for a sympathetic ear or shoulder to cry on."
It was hard to ignore the bitterness in his voice. "Why do you let her use you like that?"
"I'm a glutton for punishment," he tells me. "I'm glad Brynn is going to be okay."
"I am too. I've never been so scared in my life," I admit to him.
"I'll bet."
We split ways as I have my calculus class next and Mike has trig.
The end of the day couldn't have come fast enough. I didn't even bother to stop home. I texted Adam to drop by around dinnertime at the hospital and got on my way. I get to Brynn's room and her Dad and Grandmother are there.
"Ah second shift has arrived just in time," Gran said upon seeing me in the doorway.
I know Brynn isn't really a flower kind of girl but I brought her a single-stemmed red rose and her cheeks flush when I hand it to her. I wondered if she thought of the roses that were in the room the night we were together. That wasn't my intention of getting it for her but it wasn't a bad effect either. I place a chaste kiss on her cheek since her Dad and Gran are in the room. She grins at me knowing I am trying to behave myself.
"I have brought Brynn's assignments from school. Most of her teachers have assigned projects to complete over her recovery period. So her workload should be pretty light." I looked at Brynn, "Your math teacher however has given you weekly assignments he expects emailed to him." Brynn scrunched up her face and I laughed.
"Don't worry I'll help you complete them," I offered knowing Math is her least favorite subject.
"Thanks!" She immediately brightens.
"No problem, what are boyfriend/tutors for?"
"I have learned a lot from our tutoring sessions," Brynn teases. She's evil. I know she's not talking about Math but referring to our make-out sessions. The thought brings that feeling of heat creeping into my cheeks. I silently curse her for causing this reaction as I'm already on thin ice with her Dad. The very last thing I need is her adding fuel to the fire.
Thankfully he doesn't seem to notice but I see a secret smile tugging at Gran's lips as she watches our interaction. She gets up and gives Brynn a kiss on the cheek. "See you soon, sweetheart."
"Love you, Gran."
"Can't wait for you to come home tomorrow," Brynn's Dad said giving her forehead a kiss.
"I am so ready to bust out of this joint," she informs him and he smiles.
"When will you be released?" I asked.
"Don't know yet," Brynn said, "sometime in the afternoon maybe?"
"So I guess the next time I see you, you'll be home then?"
"There's a good chance of that." And I think everyone in the room was thrilled with that idea.
Gran and Mr. Shelby left taking Brynn's books and assignments with them. I, however, kept the cards her art class had made and handed them over to her.
Her eyes glistened over as she poured through them. Being crafted by artists, several of them were rather creative, one was even a pop-up. Then there was one that did make her cry. From the use of black card stock, I could probably guess who it's from.
"So what did Adam have to say?"
She willingly handed me the card, which made me feel good, as it was a sign that there were no secrets between us. It had a phoenix drawn quite impressively in red and yellow pencil on the cover. Inside it read:
She has risen above the ashes
Her spirit is renewed
I wish her health and happiness
Our friendship to be continued
Even if the phoenix dies
She will be born again
And I will be there waiting
Happy to call her friend
He didn't even sign the card but there was no doubt it was from Adam. I had to admit he had the whole poetry thing down. I totally suck at it. I hand it back to her and state the obvious, "He cares a lot about you."
"I know."
"There's no chance of him, you know?"
"What?"
I sigh. "I know he loves you, Brynn and I also know you don't feel the same about him, or at least not in the way that he would prefer. Still, you hanging around him all the time sort of sends the wrong message don't you think?"
"Are you asking me not to be friends with Adam?" Brynn asked her brows drawn together. I'm obviously stressing her out and I don't mean to.
"No. Not if you're sure he can handle it. I just don't want the guy to hang on to hope that he may one day convince you to be ... more than friends."
"You realize you just used the words hope and Adam in the same sentence, right?" Brynn asked her one eyebrow rose in question.
This caused me to chuckle. "Okay, I get your point. So, how does it feel to be the most popular girl in school all of a sudden?"
"Me? Popular? And to think all I had to do was contract a possibly terminal disease and have a couple of surgeons cut me open and remove some body parts. I wonder why I didn't think to do this sooner?" She giggles.
"You know you're really not supposed to laugh at your own jokes." I tease.
"Really? Where is that written? I can't help it if I find me hilarious."
Just then food and beverage came in with a dinner tray. "Looks like you're definitely off the liquids now."
"Oh yeah. Don't get me wrong I love plain broth, hot tea, and water ice as much as the next gal but who doesn't love unseasoned chicken, a side salad, and juice way more?"
"You're right you are hilarious," I said, laughing. "Fess up! You only picked this dinner because it came with chocolate pudding.'
Brynn laughs. "I can't get anything past you can I?"
"OH no! I'm on to you." I chuckle, just then there was a knock at the door and I see Adam with a paper bag, looking uncertain.
"Perfect timing," I waved him in.
"Adam?!' Brynn was shocked to see him. He held the bag out to her and she took it.
"NO WAY!!!" Brynn is beaming from ear to ear after she peeked inside. "Is this what I think it is?'
"Oreo Cookie Shake made just the way you like it," I replied, "Oh and an Adam to deliver it. He was working tonight so we had to get him here somehow."
"You guys are the best!" Brynn smiled but Adam stood there as stoic as ever. Maybe he's incapable of smiling, I pondered and fought the urge to roll my eyes as his reaction to her.
"I'm going to get something to eat at the cafeteria. I missed lunch today and the smell of that food is making my stomach growl. Think you can spare a few minutes to hang out without getting into trouble, with Mr. Brock?" I asked Adam.
"You're leaving?" Adam looked like I just said I'd seen Godzilla outside.
"Yeah, is there some reason I shouldn't?" I posed.
He shook his head no.
"I figured this way you two can catch up without this guy in your way," I state pointing to myself.
"Is that okay with you, Brynn?" Adam asked, and she smiled and nodded.
"Yeah, sure!" Adam smiled. I nearly had a heart attack. It wasn't a grin or a smirk. It wasn't sardonic in any way. He looked like a completely different person.
"Oookay then," I'll see you in a few.
It felt good to show Brynn how much I trusted her. Not that I lost my mind or anything I still don't trust Adam but he's important to Brynn and a few minutes won't matter, right?
Gah!!! Why is this trust thing so hard?
Okay, I was totally trying to be the cool boyfriend but Adam? Really? I mean the guy is totally obsessed with my girlfriend and I just said I would leave them ... alone... together."
My brain is trying to talk me out of changing my mind. Nope. Cool it, Nash. What could possibly happen? You're in a hospital for cripes sake. Besides, you trust Brynn, right?
Of course, I did. There was no question, no doubt. So I will order my dinner. I will eat my dinner and I will not race back to that room.
15 minutes later I was back in the room, opting for a premade turkey sandwich, some chips, and a bottle of water that I only half drank and brought the rest with me.
I get to the room and I see Brynn is finishing up dinner and she's alone.
"Adam leave already?" I ask totally nonchalant.
"He could only stay 10 minutes he still had other deliveries to do and the food would be cold if he waited any longer. Those bags, he told me, don't work so great at keeping the food hot for long periods of time."
"Oh," I said trying not to sound too happy. "So, how's the shake?"
She picks up the cup and shakes her head at me. "You are so jealous."
"I'm not. I could care less about Adam and him spending time... alone... with you."
Brynn's lips twist into a smirk as she sticks the bendy straw into the corner of her mouth and takes a long draw of her milkshake. "Whose talking about Adam? I was talking about my milkshake."
"Damn you," I said. I walked right into that one.
Brynn takes another sip but then suddenly I snatch it out of her hand.
"Hey, what about the no sharing rule!?" she asked indignantly.
"A very good rule you'd do well to remember," I taunt her taking a long sip.
"Are we still talking about milkshakes?" she asks coyly.
"I don't know, are we?" I ask her.
And she grins. "Fine, point made. Now give me back MY shake!"
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