McKenna’s Point of View:

A few hours later, night has fallen and Matt and I are in his car on the way to this date. I don’t really know why I agreed to go out with him. Sure he’s hot. Like really hot, but I mean I just don’t wanna date him. Not like exclusively anyway. He won’t tell me where it is that we’re going, but I don’t really even mind. I’m only doing it because I mean, anything’s better than sitting at the O’Connor’s place in Vernon with Ryder there.

I look at the dash clock and the eerie green digits inform me that it’s 10:00. Another thing, I don’t know why he insisted we wait so late. He’s a tad bit strange in case you haven’t noticed. I like him, but only as a friend. If it’s possible for a friend to think that their friends of the opposite gender are exceptionally hot. Which I’m pretty sure it is.

          “Are we almost there?” I wonder.

Matt nods, “Yeah, almost.”

          “Is it like a restaurant?” I prod.

He shakes his head, “Nope. It’s much better than dinner.”

          “So what is it?”

          “It’s a game.”

          “A game?” I repeat.

He nods again, drumming his fingers on the steering wheel. “Yup.”

          “You’re so peculiar.”

          “Hey, I’m not strange. I’m different.” He says, interpreting my use of the word ‘peculiar’.

About ten minutes later, we arrive at a dark place. There are literally no lights anywhere. Well, I take that back. There are lights, they’re just off in the distance and what they’re illuminating, I can’t tell.

          “Where are we?” I wonder, opening the door and getting out of Matt’s car.

          “Come on.” He says, gesturing his head down the…whatever it is… I walk over to his side, pushing my hands down in the pockets of my jeans as we walk. “So I know you actually didn’t wanna come out with me. But I’m glad you did.”

          “I really don’t understand why you like so much, and no I don’t want you to list a bunch of bizarre reasons.”

          “Then, I don’t know how you expect me to respond. You know why I like you, why the confusion?”

I shrug, “Never mind. Let’s just not talk about it.”

So we continue to walk, Matt standing beside me - towering over me, and somewhere in the distance I hear some crickets. I hate crickets and I especially  hate that stupid chirp thing they make. It’s so annoying. They are on my list of most annoying insects. Number 1? Flies. I shudder involuntarily and that seems to get Matt’s attention.

          “You okay?”

I nod, “Yeah, I’m fine. Just thinking.”

          “About Ryder I assume.”

          “Not exactly.”

          “No?”

          “I was thinking about how much I hate flies and crickets.” I explain.

          “Oh, well that’s…something.”

We walk a little bit longer, and approach a gate. Matt takes a key from his pocket, and puts it in the padlock, unlocking the gate. He pushes it open, gestures for me to go in first, and then comes in after me. Matt closes the gate, and then flips a switch. Then a plethora of lights go off, nearly blinding me. My eyes take a minute to adjust to the light, and when they do, it registers in my brain what we’re gonna be doing. The weird carnie music, and the fluorescent lights are the main give away. Not to mention the huge windmill off a couple of hundreds of feet away from us. 

          “Mini-Golf?” I guess, looking up at him.

Matt nods a smile on his face. “Yeah. You like mini-golf don’t you?”

I sigh to myself; he really is a sweet boy, it’s just…I don’t wanna be his girlfriend. Like I said, he lives her in California, I live home in Dallas. Not to mention the whole Ryder situation. I mean, at least I don’t think I wanna be his girlfriend. He’s really nice and sweet and he’s not hard to look at, but…ugh! I wish I was still a kid. I used to want to grow up, but this shit is not what I signed up for.

I nod, silently answering Matt’s question. “Yeah, I like mini-golf.”

          “Good, I was hoping you would.”

Ryder’s Point of view

The door to my room opens, but I don’t open my eyes to see who it is. “Ryder, come on. Get up.” Todd’s voice tells me.

          “I’m sleeping.” I mutter, turning away from him.

          “You’re not sleeping; I know you’re just lying there.”

          “If you go, I’m sure I will eventually fall asleep.”

          “Well then, I guess you aren’t gonna get some sleep, because I’m not leaving.” He informs me.

I sigh, “Okay fine, stay. Whatever.”

          “Ryder, what the fuck is wrong with you? So you and your girlfriend broke up, it happens. It isn’t the end of the fucking world.”

I look over at him, narrowing my eyes. “Why don’t you and Chastity break up then, and then you come talk to me about how it isn’t the end of the world?”

          “Well,” Todd says, exhaling and sitting down on my desk chair. “if you had been honest with her, she wouldn’t have broken up with you.”

          “Is she here?”

          “Chastity? No she’s in Colorado with her parents, visiting her grandparents.”

I shake my head, staring out of my window into the darkness that is the sky, “I meant McKenna.”

“Oh,” He says. Then he adds a few minutes later, “No, she’s not here.”

          “But you know where she is?”

Todd sighs, “Yeah. Jacob told me.”

          “Where is she?”

          “It’s not important; it’ll only make you angry.”

I shrug, “I won’t get angry. Just tell me.”

          “I dunno Ryder.” He says, uneasily.

          “Todd. Tell me. I’m not gonna go find her, I’m just wondering.”

          “Alright,” He says, “But you asked for it.”

          “Okay, what is it?”

          “She’s on a date.”

I sit up in my bed, whizzing around, looking at Todd. “What do you mean she’s on a date?”

          “Ryder, come on. You know what I mean.”

          “We broke up four days ago, and she’s already on a date?”

Todd nods, “Yeah, but it’s with that Matt kid. Apparently he was really persistent in her going out with him.

          “How do you know?” I wonder, raising an eyebrow at him.

          “She texted Jacob and Jacob told Will, who proceeded to tell me.”

          “I can’t believe she’s already on another date.”

          “Can’t you? I mean, you let her go.”

I lie back down, pulling the pillow over my face. “I didn’t ‘let her go’, she dumped me. Remember?”

          “Well if you really want her back, stop lounging around in your bed like a fucking baby, do something about it.”

          “What am I supposed to do?”

          “That you have to figure out for yourself. There’s not a rulebook, and I don’t have all of the answers. Ryder, you’re smart. You pretend like you aren’t, but you’re a freaking genius. Give it until tomorrow and talk to her, and I’m sure you can do something that’ll make her forgive you.”

I sigh, “Okay. Thanks Todd.” Then I get out of my bed, pulling my shoes on and tugging on a jacket.

“Why were you sleeping in your jeans?”

I shrug, “Didn’t feel like changing.”

          “You sir, are the biggest bastard I know.”

          “Gee, thanks. I don’t think it’s a compliment, but still.”

          “Where are you going?” He wonders as I slide my phone down in my pocket and walk towards the door.

           “The store.” I tell him truthfully. I walk downstairs, walking out of the front door.

I close and lock it behind me and then walk to my car, jumping in and putting it in reverse. I slide on my seatbelt, unfazed by Todd’s words. I really am going to the store. I need some more allergy medicine. My sinuses are fucked up, and I’m buying some more of that medicine that McKenna gave me so long ago. I looked for it in her room, and I didn’t see it. So now I need to buy me some, because my mom said that I had a slight fever a couple of hours ago.

On my way to L.A., I whiz past a store that catches my attention. I slow down my car, and make a U-turn, driving up and into a parking lot as I read the name of the store: Gustavo’s Liquor House.

McKenna’s Point of View:

          “And so after that, I was in free fall.” Matt concludes, chuckling.

          “Wow,” I say, laughing alone with him. “That’s crazy. So you actually went skydiving?”

He nods, taking a sip from his drink. “Yeah, sure did.”

          “So how was it?”

          “Scary as shit.” He says, seriously. “Don’t ever do it.”

          “Don’t worry.” I say, crossing my left leg over my right under the table.

Its 11:36 now and we’re at this Burger Shack place here in L.A. that stays open 24 hours. We got here about fifteen minutes ago, and Matt proceeded to tell me about how his ex-girlfriend made her go skydiving with him. On the good side, being here on this date, I haven’t thought about him once. And that’s good.

          “Hey, I really want a rematch, you got it?”

          “In mini-golf?” He asks, wrinkling his forehead.

I nod, “Yes! You totally cheated.”

          “Hey, I did no such thing. Is it my fault you suck at it?”

          “You know what, shut up. We’re still having a rematch.”

          “Okay, okay. We can have a rematch. In like a few weeks.”

          “Good, and I’m gonna beat your ass.”

          “You wanna bet?”

          “Nope, gambling isn’t my thing.” I say obliquely.

          “Right, nice cover-up.” Matt tells me, chuckling.

My phone rings in my pocket, and I pull it out. It’s Will. “I have to get this.” I tell Matt.

He nods, “Okay, that’s fine.”

I slide my finger across the screen, unlocking it and answering. “Hey Will.”

          “McKenna.” He says, his voice quiet.

          “Yeah, what’s up?” I reply, taking a bite from one of my fries then putting it back down on the plate.

          “There’s been an accident.”

I furrow my eyebrows, “What? What kinda accident?”

          “A car accident.”

My heart thumps in my chest, and I swallow the lump in my throat. “Who was it?” Will doesn’t say anything, and my anxiety swells in my chest as I begin to panic. “Will, who was it?” I repeat.

          “I-it was Ryder.”

My eyes widen and I feel as though a truck has just run over my lungs. “W-w-what do you mean? What happened to him? Is he okay? Where is he? Oh my God, is he dead?” I cry in one breath.

          “No, no, no.” Will says quickly, as if trying to calm me down. “He’s not dead, but…”

          “But what Will?”

          “But it isn’t looking too great.”

          “Where is he?”

          “He’s at St. Paul’s. It’s in L.A.”

          “I’ll be there.” I tell him, dropping hanging up the phone. I start hyperventilating involuntarily and without my permission tears stream down my face. I furiously wipe them away and jump up from the seat.

Matt stands up, “Hey, what’s wrong?”

          “It’s Ryder. H-he’s at the hospital. Please Matt, you have to take me. Please.” I beg.

          “Yeah, come on. I’ll take you.” He says, nodding his head.

I grab my jacket from the chair, and take off running towards the door. Matt follows after me, using the button on his car remote to unlock the car and auto-start it. I get to it first, jumping in the passenger seat as Matt gets in the driver’s seat.

          “Where is he?” He asks, calmly.

          “He’s, uh, he’s at St. Paul’s.” I tell him. “Go!” I shout at him as I look at the speed odometer and see that it’s only going 50 M.P.H.’s. Matt speeds up immediately and the odometer hand flies up to 95 M.P.H.’s. Matt drives recklessly, weaving in and out of traffic, no doubt breaking many traffic laws.

After about fifteen minutes we arrive at the front door, and I put my hand on the handle, about to open it. “You want me to come in?” Matt wonders.

At this point, I don’t really care what he does.  “You can, I’m gonna go find his room.”

          “Okay, I’ll park.” He affirms as I get out of the car, and run around to the front, going through the automatic doors. I run up to the front desk, pushing past the two men who are standing there. “Where’s Ryder O’Connor?” I mandate.

          “McKenna.” Jacob’s voice says, from a distance. I turn around and see him walking towards me.

          “Jacob.” I say, running over to him. “Hey, where is he?”

          “Come on, he’s in the E.R.” Jacob says, leading me towards the emergency room.

When we arrive at the E.R. waiting room, I see that the rest of the O’Connor’s are here as well. Will seems to be the first person to notice me, because he stands up, walking towards me. He pulls me in, hugging me tightly, and I place my head against his chest as more tears escape.

“What happened to him?” I ask him, pleadingly.

The rest of the family looks up simultaneously at me, and I swallow the lump in my throat. They all look like hell, especially Todd, who is Ryder’s best friend, who is rejecting his Chastity’s act of affection. I turn away from them, looking back up at Will.    

          “Will, tell me what happened.” I say, quietly. “How did he get in car accident? What the hell happened?” I shout, getting angry that no one has said anything to me.

          “McKenna, calm down. I’ll tell you.” He says, sitting down. I follow suit, and sit down beside him on the hospital chair, pulling my knees up to my chest and rocking back and forth. Will swallows and then sighs, “He was drunk.”

Wait, what?

          “What do you mean he was drunk?”

          “Apparently he was drinking. A lot. His blood alcohol content was 0.43.”

I gasp, choking on my tears. “But that’s…that’s way too high.” I say, dumbfounded. “That’s too high! It’s not supposed to be that high!” I shout. I don’t know what the fuck Ryder was drinking or how much he was drinking to make his BAC so damn high. Normally if you get pulled over by the cops and your BAC is 0.08 or higher, you get arrested for DUI. But a 0.43? That’s like…lethal.

          “McKenna, calm down. You’re gonna make yourself sick. It was 0.43, and when it’s that high…it’s really horrible. There’s, there’s lack of behavior, unconsciousness, lack of breathing and accelerated heart rate, that’s what the doctor said.”

          “Oh my God,” I say, “I wanna see him. Can I see him?”

Will shakes his head sadly, “He’s not awake. He hasn’t woke up since he’s been here.”

I run my fingers through my hair, tugging on it, frustrated. “So what exactly happened?” I ask nervously, not really sure if I want the answer.

Will licks his lips, “Well they found his car about two miles away from a liquor store. The police went to a liquor store and the lady said that he was in there about thirty minutes ago and he bought a bunch of liquor. A-“

          “Ryder’s nineteen, how did he buy liquor?”

          “Fake I.D.” he tells me, and then begins to continue the story. “Anyway, he fell asleep while he was driving and the car went off the road. It flipped three times, and he was thrown out of the car ‘cause he wasn’t wearing his seatbelt. The doctor said he’s lucky he’s even alive. He told us that there’s some brain swelling too, and he had to get his stomach drained. He broke two ribs and sprained his ankle. He’s having a blood transfusion right now.”

          “Oh Jesus, I can’t breathe.” I mutter. I literally cannot breathe. I try inhaling, but it’s like I’m trying to breathe underwater. Then I start hyperventilating at an accelerated pace as my heart rate speeds up, beating in my ribcage.

          “McKenna? McKenna, take a deep breath. You’re gonna go into shock.” Todd says, now standing beside me. Or was he here the whole time? I’m pretty sure he wasn’t. I stand up, and stumble a bit. Will stands up, grabbing my arm and shakes my shoulders.

“Snap out of it Mick. Calm down.” Will commands.

          “Here, drink it.” Jacob says, coming over and kneeling down in front of me as Will forces me back down in the chair. He hands me a paper cup or water, and I shakily grab it, my hand trembling uncontrollably. I gulp the water down, and I find that my pulse is slowing down, returning to normal.

          “You good now?” Todd wonders, raising his eyebrows at me.

I nod, trying to make myself stop hyperventilating. “I’m okay.” Lie. 

          “Ryder O’Connor’s Family?” The doctor says, coming out from the back, and into the waiting room. 

Author's Note: Somewhat intense chapter. Or so I think. Hope y'all liked it. (: Let me know in a comment, maybe? Oh, and so most of you know how much of a Swiftie I am, and Red came out today! And anyone, I posted one of the songs, which I think sorta relates to Ryder and McKenna; check it out!