"Oh my God! Caden!" Lilly shouts as the doctor makes his way over to Caden. The doctor calls for a nurse and asks for a smelling salt. The nurse runs in with a smelling salt and gives it to the doctor. The doctor takes the smelling salt in his right hand, lifts Caden's head up in his lap, and waves the tube under his nose from left to right continuously until he gets Caden awake.

A couple minutes later, Caden jumps up, "What happened?!"

Lilly releases a breath she didn't know she was holding in and exclaims, "Oh thank God, Caden! You were just standing here, beside me, being a stubborn donkey and next thing...you're on the floor! So, I don't give a pig's flying butt what you say, you're definitely getting seen about now! I don't want that to happen again!"

Caden smirks and nods his head, "Yes, ma'am. Anything for you."

Lilly huffs, "Good! Now doctor, could you please take him to another room and see about him?"

The doctor nods his head, "Yes, ma'am," then he takes Caden into another room and examines him.

When the doctor takes Caden to a different room, Mrs. Andrews asks, "Sweetie, what actually happened today?"

Lilly sighs, "Well mom, it all started in the cafeteria...." Lilly continues to tell her mom everything that happened at school as unshed tears sting her eyes. She tells her all about the fight, and everything that happened after the fight. When Lilly finishes telling her mom about everything, she wipes a few tears away from her eyes, and her mom hugs and comforts her. 

Meanwhile, in the other room, Caden has just been examined and the doctor has confirmed that he has a concussion as well. Caden questions, "But sir, I don't understand. If I have a concussion, why haven't I passed out before now?"

The doctor simply replies, "Adrenaline."

Caden asks, "What do you mean adrenaline?"

The doctor explains, "Well, you know how people say that a mom can lift a car to save her child when it's trapped under it?" 

Caden nods, "Yeah, but what does that have to do with my situation?"

The doctor continues, "Well, the same way a mom has that adrenaline rush when her child is in danger, you had that same adrenaline rush when you realized your friend, Lilly, was hurt. So, do you understand now?"

Caden nods, "Yes, sir. Thanks for explaining it to me."

The doctor nods, "No, problem. Now do you have any other questions?"

Caden nods, "Yes, sir, just one. Can I go back in there with Lilly now?"

The doctor smiles and nods, "Yes, I don't see why not. I'll take you." Caden smiles and the doctor takes him back into the room with Lilly and her mom, then the doctor walks off to check in on his other patients.

When Caden enters the room he sees Lilly crying and her mom hugging her, so he gets upset. He doesn't like to see her sad. He walks over to her, gently places his hand on her arm, and asks, "Hey, what's wrong, Lilly? Did something happen? Is your head hurting bad again?"

Lilly's mom stands up and says, "I'll let you two talk a minute," then she looks at Lilly and continues, "Sweetie, if you need me, I'm just outside ok?" Lilly nods, then her mom leaves the room.

Lilly looks up at Caden and sniffles, "No, Caden. I'm ok. I just got upset telling my mom all about what happened. I'm fine now."

Caden says, "Oh. Ok, Lilly. I understand. I'm really sorry you had to go through all of that today though. If I could've prevented it, I would have."

Lilly gives him a slight smile, places her hand in his, and says, "I know you would have. You're like a knight in shining armor, always rescuing a damsel in distress."

Caden kind of laughs, "Well, that's usually a knight's job, to rescue a damsel in distress. Isn't it?"

Lilly giggles, "Yeah," then her voice drops and she continues, "But I mean we just met yesterday and you've had to rescue me at least 4 times already, and this time you got beat up and got a freaking concussion because of me."

Caden asks, "Wait a minute, Lilly. How do you know that I got a concussion?"

Lilly says, "Well, I mean you were only one room away, so I overheard. I'm not deaf you know."

Caden smiles slightly, "I know you're not deaf. I didn't say you were, but I'm ok, Lilly. My head doesn't really hurt and I'm not dizzy. I'm fine, so stop worrying about me."

Lilly looks down and mumbles. Caden asks, "What?"

   Lilly shakes her head, "Nothing."

Caden insists, "No, Lilly, it's not nothing or you wouldn't have said it. What did you say?"

Lilly bursts, "It would probably be better if you never would've ran after me yesterday!"

Caden sighs, "Lilly, how could you say that? I've had so much fun with you yesterday and this morning. Have you not?"

Lilly begins to cry again, "Yes, Caden, even though we just met yesterday, I've had so much fun with you. In fact, I've had more fun with you yesterday and this morning than I've ever had with...those toxic ex-friends of mine."

Caden asks, "Well if that's true then Lilly, why did you say that?"

Lilly rubs the tears out of her eyes and sniffles, "Because Caden, you're so sweet, nice, and kind, and you deserve better friends, ones that won't get you beat up." Lilly starts to cry even more.

Caden grabs both of Lilly's hands, pulls them close to him, and says, "Lilly, please stop saying that. It's not your fault Caleb's a jerk who likes to fight and I can't find any better of a friend than you. Do you know why?" Lilly shakes her head in confusion and Caden continues, "Because Lilly, the truth is...you are the greatest friend I have ever had. I am so glad I met you and ran after you yesterday. In fact, if it wasn't for me meeting you yesterday and hanging out with you, I most likely wouldn't be here right now."

Confused, Lilly asks, "Wh-what do you mean you most likely wouldn't be here? Where would you be?"

Caden replies, "Gone."

Lilly questions, "Gone? Caden, what do you mean gone?"

Caden explains, "Well Lilly, you see, no one except my parents, doctor, and I know this but,..." Caden trails off as he starts to remember what happened before he moved.

Lilly looks at him, "Caden, what is it? You can tell me."

Caden continues, "Before I moved here, you remember how I told you before that I had a toxic friend, who I thought was my best friend?" Lilly nods and Caden continues, "Well, when he stabbed me in the back like he did, I fell into this dark place. I had no friends, I had just lost my dad, and a couple of months later my grandma. I only had my mom, my little sister, and my big brother left and he was starting to get ready to go off to the army within the next few days. I was so depressed. I decided that I wanted to end all that sorrow and hurt I was going through. So, one day when I thought I was home alone, I took a knife, went into the bathroom, and slit both of my wrists. I dropped to the floor and my brother, who had unbeknownst to me stayed home sick, found me. He grabbed towels and wrapped them around my wrists to stop the bleeding. Then, he rushed me to the hospital. He saved my life that day and I was mad at him for it, because I didn't want to live anymore. I wanted to die so I wouldn't have to feel...alone. That's why we moved here. My mom thought that if we got out of that town where all of that pain and sorrow happened, I would be ok. So, I decided that I would try it here for a few days, to just see if my mom was right, that I would be ok once we left. But I wasn't ok. I still wanted to kill myself. I told myself yesterday, when I got out of school, I was going to do it. I was finally going to end my life. No more pain. No more sorrow.... But then I met you and I saw how you were treated and how upset you got, and I didn't want you to go to that dark place too. You seemed too kind to go to that dark place, so I ran after you and I tried my best to comfort you. You see Lilly, if I wouldn't have met you and run after you yesterday, my mom and big brother would be planning another funeral right now. So, please...don't ever tell me I shouldn't have run after you, because running after you, is what saved my life."

Lilly, with more tears in her eyes from hearing that story gasps, "Oh my God, Caden. I-I had no idea you went through all of that. I'm- I'm so sorry."

Caden with tears in his eyes as well, says in a broken up voice, "That's because I didn't want you to know my full story. I never wanted anyone to know. I-it's just something I have to get over, something I have to just...forget." Caden begins to break down crying and Lilly immediately hugs him. Caden wraps his arms around her, neither of them letting go for a good two minutes.

   A couple minutes later, Lilly sits back, releasing him from the much needed, long embrace. She says, "Caden, I'm sorry to ask this, but I have one question." Caden nods, signaling her to go on. Lilly continues, "What about that story you told me, about how your real best friend helped you get over what that toxic friend did to you? Did you make that up just to help make me feel better?"

   Caden answers, "No, that's partly true."

   Lilly asks, "What do u mean partly true?"

   Caden replies, "Well, in that story, my big brother was my real best friend. You see, after I tried to kill myself, when I was in the hospital, he asked me why I did it. I told him and only him about everything. I never told anyone else, not even my mom. Also, what I told you is exactly what he told me, that I shouldn't let it bother me and that I didn't do anything wrong. He also told me that I wasn't alone and that I'd always have him, but even though he told me I wasn't alone, I still felt alone, until I met you."

   Lilly sniffles, "Oh my gosh, Caden, I'm so sorry you had to go through all of that. I am so happy your brother found you. If he wouldn't have, I don't know where I'd be right now."

   Caden gives a slight smile, "I don't know either, but I'm glad I'm here with you right now." A few minutes later, Caden says, "Ok, enough with the sad depressing subjects. Let's talk about something happy."

   Lilly smiles, "Like what?"

   Caden replies, "Like...oh, I know. What are we going to do after school tomorrow?"

   Lilly says, "Well, I was thinking...since we didn't get to go to your grandpa's cabin today, could we go there tomorrow?"

   Caden smiles, "Of course. We can go anywhere or do anything you want."

   Lilly smiles, "Ok. Sorry I ruined today by the way."

   Caden says, "Lilly, you didn't ruin anything. Today was just...interesting.

   Lilly smiles again and her mom walks in and asks, "Hey, can I come back in now or are you two still talking?"

   Lilly smiles, "No, mom. We're done now. You can come back in."

   Her mom walks back in and a few minutes later says to Caden, "Lilly told me all about how you defended her against Brittney and those other mean girls and Caleb. Thank you for that. It's nice to know my daughter has a true friend like you. Also, if you ever want to, you can come to our house and watch a movie or something with her. You're welcome anytime."

   Caden nods, "Thank you, Mrs. Andrews. I may do that sometime. I love hanging out with Lilly."

   About an hour later, the doctor comes in and says, "Well, y'all are free to go. Just take it easy and don't get into any more fights."

   Caden laughs, "I'll try not to."

   The doctor says, "Oh and I forgot to tell you, you can't drive for 24 hours."

   Caden asks, "What? Why?"

   The doctor simply states, "Well, you see, it's dangerous to drive with a concussion. You could have a wreck."

   Caden says, "Oh ok. Well, shoot! How am I supposed to get home?"

   Lilly says, "Well Caden, my mom could drive you home. I'm sure she wouldn't mind. Would you, mom?"

   Mrs. Andrews answers, "Of course not. I don't mind at all. You could even stay for dinner if you'd like and Mike could come get your car for you."

   Before Caden can answer, Lilly says, "Mike's my big brother."

Caden smiles, "Oh ok. That would be great. I would really appreciate that."

   Mrs. Andrews smiles, "Great. I'm gonna go get the car. I'll be right back."

   While Mrs. Andrews goes to get her car, Caden asks the doctor, "Would I be able to drive to school tomorrow or not?"

   The doctor replies, "Yes, I don't see why you couldn't. Just no driving until then and remember to take it easy."
   Caden smiles, "Ok, I will." Mrs. Andrews comes back with the car, so both Caden and Lilly hop in the backseat. Lilly gently rests her head on Caden's shoulder and they leave the hospital. On the way to Lilly's house, Caden calls his mom and tells her that he's going to eat supper at Lilly's and he'll be home later. Once they get to Lilly's house, Mrs. Andrews walks inside, followed by Lilly and Caden. They walk into the dining room and Mr. Andrews, Lilly's dad, greets them. Her mom walks into the kitchen to get the food while Lilly introduces her dad and brother to Caden.

   Her dad asks, "Well who is this young man?"

   Lilly states, "Oh. Dad, Mike, this is Caden. He's my new best friend."

   Caden shakes her father's hand, "It's nice to meet you, Sir. You have an amazing daughter by the way. She's so sweet, kind, and caring."

   Her dad smiles, "Well, she's just like her mother. You better be nice to her. She's dealt with enough already with those two...uh...heifers."

   Caden says, "Oh, yes, of course. I would never do anything like that to her. She's way too kind to me. I'm not like those two...heifers as you call them. She can trust me."

   Her dad nods his head then she introduces her brother, Mike. Caden shakes his hand and says, "Nice to meet you, Mike. I'm Caden."

   Mike says, "Yeah, nice to meet you too. I'm Mike."

   Her mom interrupts everyone and tells them supper is on the table. Everyone sits down to eat, with Caden sitting beside Lilly of course. They all hold hands and Mr. Andrews says a prayer over their food, then they dig in.

   After taking a bite, Caden exclaims, "Wow! Mrs. Andrews, this meatloaf and mashed potatoes is amazing! You're an outstanding cook!"

   Mrs. Andrews smiles, "Well, thank you, Caden. I'm so glad you like it."

   After supper, Lilly stands up, picks up a few dishes, and carries them to the sink. Then, Caden stands up, picks up the rest of the dishes, and carries them to the sink. He sets them down in the sink and Lilly looks at him. He smiles back and says, "Here, I'll wash the dishes and you can dry them. That way you won't get your sleeves soaking wet." They both laugh and Lilly hands him the warm, soapy, wet rag. Caden gets to work on washing the dishes and Lilly begins to dry them.