When you're in school you look at your peers like family. That is if you're not dating them? I could tell when I first met Sharol that she didn't look up to me, but saw me as an equal. Not someone to learn from, but someone to fill the hole that made her lonely. Just...talking makes the world more crowded than it sometimes feels. I got her number, but I didn't call her. I was back in the room, and even Keith fell asleep waiting on me. I decide to take a walk. The last thing I ever wanted to do was hurt her? I didn't want to say the wrong thing. Outside I scroll over her number and punch it in. I listen to the rings, counting mentally, contemplating whether or not she'd pick up. What if she didn't like me? What if she thought I was annoying? I hold it to my ear.

"Kale? That you?" Sharol asks, from the other side. I nod then correct myself. The other side.

"Yes." I say, simply.

"Why'd you call me?"

"You-uh gave me your number, remember?" I say, carefully.

"I know. I'm...just wondering." she admits. "Where are you?"

"I'm at the hotel, across the street, but I'm with someone."

"Oh. Another girl." she quips. Did I just shoot her down?

"No, just a friend. He's a boy." I laugh, nervously. "Want to come over?"

"I probably shouldn't. Which room are you?"

"14. I'm outside." I admit, waving to no one. Wondering if she sees me.

"I see. Ok." I see her make her way over from the store? Does she live there? Maybe it's just open 24/7. She doesn't look both ways, and a car comes out of nowhere. I throw my phone to the ground, and I'm running. Without too much thought, I shove her out of the way. I crack my head on the ground from the impact of the car, and am instantly unconscious. I don't see the car keep driving or Sharol run to my room and knock brutally. I don't see Keith answer the door and pick up my phone before rushing to my side. I don't hear them talk about what happened or see the tears making their way down Sharol's face. Keith calls 911. 

~~~Hospital~~~

I wake up to Keith, not Sharol. 

"Where is she?!" I ask, barely audible. Keith shakes his head.

"She left about an hour ago. She...had to work, right?" he sighs.

"I saw the car. I had to push her out of the-" I cough, harshly, unable to finish.

"I understand. Girls are like that sometimes, focused on one thing. They don't see the dangers."

"Yah. How bad is it?" I ask, sipping the water on the table beside the bed.

"Just a nasty bruise on your head. I only made the call to make sure. I don't like to take chances?"

"Thanks. Can we pay for it?"

"I paid it with my inheritance. I had to-uh use the rest of it. So, don't worry about it. I'd do it again. We're brothers." Keith explains. I sit up with the somewhat good news.

"Let's go then." I say, wincing. He touches my shoulder and pushes me back down.

"Now wait a second. I paid for this the least you can do is take advantage of it. You got a bed, an IV, a TV, and free food."

"Alright, do I have a nurse?" I ask.

"Press that button on the side of the bed, you'll feel it. Ask for jello or something." Keith points, standing.

"Wait." I say, carefully. Was he going to leave me?

"Stay a couple days. I'm going back to the hotel. Someone should tell Sharol you woke up. When you're good enough, come back to us?" he points, all dramatic-like. I nod, pressing the button. A nurse walks in as he walks out.