A couple days later I was still being held in the hospital with two fractured ribs, broken nose and multiple stitches in several places plus the bruises. I also gave myself a minor crack in a wrist bone from a wayward punch that hit a desk corner.

They should almost put revolving doors on these hospital rooms. I had so many people come in to wish me well, to laugh at me, try cheering me up; basically anything you're expected to do when someone's just been beat within an inch of their life.

I peered down at my bruised knuckles. They were mottled with varying shades of black, blue and green and I found it fascinating to turn my palms towards me the face them outward. The palms looked so normal the boom the other side looks like I've been dead for a week!

I had a lot of time to think about anything and everything so by the second day I was bored out of my mind. I couldn't play video games since my hands hurt too badly and I could only play on the phone for limited amounts of time for the same reason. Holding a pencil wasn't too bad however so I entertained myself doing crosswords and word searches. Not the greatest but it was still something. Being bored this long definitely puts a damper on anyone's mood.

Stan usually came right after school and sat around with me for a good while before he went home. I helped him with some of his homework while he helped relieve my boredom. Today though was extra long before he came to see me since the basketball game, which I should have been at, was being held.

Both my mother and father had returned to work and didn't get off until 6 which left me alone for school hours. From the hallway I hear a door swing open and think nothing of it until I hear a light knock before the person just walked in.

"Hey Kyle! Whaddup. I brought you some more puzzles!"

"Stan! How was the game? Did you win? How many points did you get dude!"

Instantly my mood soared from the place it had been. I was just starting to be able to sit up but before I could attempt it a hand rested on my collarbone.

"Keep down! You'll just hurt yourself more." He was extremely careful to not rest his hand anywhere that would still be painful but I let out a breath anyways. His hand instantly snapped back and worry flashed across those perfect features as he told me,

"I'm so sorry I didn't think that was sore!"

I smiled up at him and shook my head.

"Nah I'm just messing around."

Instantly relief filled his face as he pulled up a chair next to the bed. He scolded me, trying to be serious but failing terribly. We both started laughing uncontrollably until I started crying from the pain. I managed to wheeze out "Holy fuck please don't do that!"

He quickly sobered up and cleared his throat.

"So the game... we uh won but not by much. 3 points actually."

"Three points? Fucking weak!"

He smiled as he shook his head, "Yeah well we didn't have our best play maker out on the floor because the asshole decided to get his ass beat."

I rolled my eyes. "Pfft as if. Anyways keep going."

It gave me a good excuse to just watch him as he went what felt like play by play through the game. He re-enacted his shots and blocks, which he was able to get being fairly tall. I nodded and listened all through out the 45 minute long game explanation. I nodded along and had to remind him to not exaggerate too much in some places to which he just shone a sheepish smile before continuing. I truly enjoyed seeing his animated movements, the way those eyes just lit up like fireworks. I got lost watching him and when he sat down and asked what I thought I told him,

"I wish I could have been there dude."

"The team really missed you." He leaned against the edge of the bed and laid his hand on my fore arm I had resting on the little raised piece before adding softly "I kinda missed you too."

Boy did that ever make me flush beet red. My mind raced as I tried to think of what I'd do if anybody else touched my arm. I'd probably move away but that wasn't what I wanted to do right now. Instead of moving my hand away I slid it back and grabbed his hand.

My heart stopped in that brief moment before the shock of what I did dawned on both of us. My heart was pounding and my face already reddened but I took a deep breath before moving to pull my hand away.

I was fully expecting this quick gesture to be done but Stan's quip tightened just barely enough to keep my hand there. I had been looking away from embarrassment but when he spoke again I turned my head. He stated right at me and I forced myself to give a weak smile. I felt sick to my stomach. I shouldn't have done that, what was I thinking? He's going to find out because I've never been a convincing liar to him. The thought of him possibly turning me away filled me with dread.

"Uh, it's been a couple days now and I was wondering," he looked down before back to me. I made myself look at him as he continued. "What set you off that day? That was so unlike you to actually fight someone in the middle of class. He's said way worse things before..." He trailed off.

"We're Super Best friends right?"

"Of course we are!"

"So no matter what you promise you won't leave?"

"Nah I don't think I could."

I studied his face and saw genuine concern and warmth. I knew I could tell him. I hoped I could tell him because I'd kept it a secret for so long now it might be beginning to be bad for my health. I unhooked my hand from his warm grip and rubbed my chin. I knew I was just buying time to plan out how I was going to say this but Stan didn't mind. He just continued to watch me intently.

"Well, I guess... I guess I learned something I probably would have been better off not knowing."

I tell you the way his emotions change within the second should be some kind of record. Those were our flaws. I couldn't lie to him while he couldn't keep his emotions to himself. He quietly asked, "Like what?"

"My family doesn't, um..." I took another deep breath and felt a few tears spike my eyes. I closed my eyes not wanting to see his expression as it tumbled out.

"My family doesn't support gay people or marriage."

"So? Lots of people here don't."

I opened my eyes and gaped at him all my fears totally lost. The thing that had stressed me out so badly to the point of fighting was reduced down to a simple 'so?' "What do you mean 'So?' It's a big deal and one that's not very good at all for me!"

God fucking dammit! I screamed in my head. In the brief flash of anger, the thought I'd been holding captive all these years was let out. I had to say although the feeling was immense it was not as terrifying as I thought. If worst came to worst I could always deny it. Although I hadn't really said it, there was still plenty of information for him to piece together.

"What the hell dude?" Came the baffled reply. I grimaced and covered my eyes with a hand. That's it. You've really done yourself in now. I sighed and shrugged still refusing to open my eyes. I started to cry silently as I hid my face behind my hands. My breathing was shaky while I thought about the adventures we'd gone on, all those late nights chattering to each other, the casual strolls we went on WHAM all gone in that instant.

I heard a shuffle from the chair and heard Stan take a breath but before anything was said my parents walked in the door.

"Oh hey Stan!"  My mother's voice sliced the air.

"Hi," I heard Stan weakly say. I wiped my face quickly and watched while Stan just grabbed his things and walked out with out another word. I thought I heard the sound of someone throwing up just down the hall but there's people always throwing up in hospitals. I just hoped it wasn't Stan feeling sick to his stomach knowing what I told him.

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I'm debating whether to do some chapters from Stan's perspective or keep it all Kyle's to keep Stan's thoughts less obvious.