Kashi's head was pounding when she woke up in her town's hospital. Her Auntie Cee was sitting in a chair in the corner, a romance novel in her hands. "Auntie Cee?"
"Hey Kashi," she closed her book, standing up to grab Kashi's hand. "How you feeling kid?"
Honestly? "I feel like I got hit by a truck."
Auntie Cee chuckled. "Well you certainly hit something with your truck. Glad to see you're still as witty as normal. We were all worried about you."
"I don't remember anything after I hit the telephone pole. What happened?"
"Well Felix was coming home with a friend that night and his friend's mom actually called an ambulance, he called your dad and your uncle."
"Where are they?" Kashi asked, looking at the empty and quiet room.
"Those three went to grab lunch in the cafeteria." Her aunt said. "Probably better. They're all so loud. Your dad had to drag Felix out of here. He hasn't left your side since he found you in the car."
Kashi chuckled a little, laying her head back on the pillow. She was honestly touched that Felix wanted to come to the hospital to see her. She knew he loved her, even if he pretended not to. "...wait lunch?"
"Kashi, you've been out cold since last night." Her aunt said, walking towards the doorway. "I'm going to grab the doctor okay?" She disappeared a moment later down the hall.
Kashi sighed, staring up at the white ceiling. The whole room was white aside from the couple of green chairs and some instruments hanging on the wall. She closed her eyes as the pounding in her head increased in its severity. Maybe blocking the already dim light of the room would help. She felt like her head was being struck by a mallet. Repeatedly. What had she been doing last night?
She remembered the way her truck slid as she lost control. She knew she was going to hit the telephone pole. She saw it coming closer and closer as if the crash was happening in slow motion. Her heart had thundered and her body tensed, but she'd watched the entire time as if keeping her eyes open might somehow help. The airbag had been the last thing she'd seen. She wondered how bruised her face must look after being hit hard enough to make her lose consciousness for such a long period of time.
She'd been meeting Carr before the crash happened. There was something important they'd said… Carr's dad. Right. She took a few deep breaths remembering everything Carr had revealed about his past. About his father. She still couldn't believe that Jeremy Hughes was Carr's father. She didn't actually know Carr's last name. Considering how much he seemed to despise his dad, she wouldn't be surprised if he took his mother's name rather than Hughes. Carr Hughes didn't fit anyway. Though, Matthias had mentioned that his name was Carter. Carr didn't seem to appreciate that name. Kashi decided that she wouldn't bring it up around Carr.
She remembered what he'd said about the two of them. Was it selfish of her to hope that they'd be able to make it work? Especially after the scene at the party with Matthias. In her defense, she hadn't known they were brothers. It didn't make her feel any better. She and Carr had never declared feelings for each other. They'd just kissed… quite a few times in her dad's fields. She was a free woman and could do whatever she wanted. It was just the reasoning behind her kissing Matthias that bugged her. She'd done it because of Carr. Carr may have been upset because he knew that. Carr was smarter than he let on. Kashi could read it on his face. She wasn't kissing Matthias because she was attracted to him, though Matt was attractive, no, Kashi kissed him because she was angry at Carr. She hadn't stopped to consider the fact that Carr had feelings for her.
The doctor's voice jolted her from her thoughts.
"Dad, you don't have to fuss over me, I'm fine." Kashi said to her dad, swatting at his hands after she was discharged from the hospital. Her face indeed was a horrid mixture of colored bruises spreading down her neck to her left arm where she had apparently slammed into the side of her truck. Felix still hadn't said anything. He climbed into the back of her dad's pickup.
"Kashi, you could have died. Your car is totaled. The doctor said you have a concussion and a couple of bruised ribs. I want you home for a few days to make sure you're alright. I need to make sure you're sitting still and not hurting yourself further." Her dad continued to ramble as they drove home, but Kashi tuned him out.
"No school today Felix?" She asked, turning to face her brother. The twisting motion made her wince so she settled back into the leather seat. She could talk to Felix without facing him.
"No. I'm here now obviously, aren't I?" He answered somewhat defensively.
"Hey I was just curious. You totally could've stayed home and gone to school come the morning." she probed.
"No I was worried about my stupid sister who doesn't know how to drive!" He shouted.
"Felix!" Their dad whirled around. Kashi did too.
He was crying.
"Felix I didn't mean to—"
"I'm angry! You could have died Kashi. I would have missed my dumb sister."
"Felix I'm okay." She bit back the pain as she placed a hand on her brother's shoulder. Tears left trails down his cheeks. She stared at Felix and it brought her back to a much earlier time. He still had the curly black hair and brown skin, wide green eyes… She hadn't seen him cry since her stepmom died. She'd also been in a car wreck… but she hadn't made it.
Kashi unbuckled her seatbelt and climbed into the backseat to hug her little brother.