I wake up to the sound of my alarm and reach for my phone under the pillow to turn it off, but a sharp headache hits me from the alcohol the night before. I don't find my phone there, so I assume it must've fallen while I was asleep. I shift toward the edge of the bed, stretch my arm to grab it off the floor, but lose my balance and tumble, getting tangled in the sheets.
—Why me?—I whine, feeling dizzy, with a stomach ache and headache.
I finally turn off the alarm and decide to stay a few more minutes on the floor where I fell. From here, I hear Jen. I think she's making breakfast. My head is about to explode, but it's nothing I can't handle; I've been in worse conditions. I sit on the edge of the bed to stretch and, after a quick shower, I dress in the first blouse I find, a gray sweatshirt, and blue pants. I look for my white sneakers, but I don't find them. Maybe I left them in the living room.
I go barefoot to look for them and check under the sofa, but they aren't there.
—Jen!—I shout from the floor while I keep looking.—Have you seen my white sneakers?
Jen appears at the kitchen door with a spatula in her hand.
—I felt bad for leaving you last night, so I washed your dirty sneakers when I woke up. I knew you'd need them, especially today, with that hangover you're going to have all day.
—How did you dry them so fast?—I'm curious to know since it takes a long time for them to dry even when put in the sun.
—With the hair dryer. It took me a while, so appreciate it.—She gives me the shoes in my hand.
—Thanks.—I hug her.
—Today I'll let you dress like a homeless person.—She mocks.—Tomorrow you'll go back to being the swan I turned you into.
—We'll see.—I reply, walking towards my room.
I put on some socks, then the sneakers, and I make a ponytail to avoid combing my hair. At that moment, I remember that since I woke up, I haven't checked my phone notifications. I unplug my phone from the charger to check my messages. There are five new ones from Denver and a missed call. Without even reading them, I decide to call him back; maybe he needs something urgent.
—Hello?—I ask timidly, not hearing an immediate response.
—Kate, I'm glad I managed to reach you.—His voice sounds rushed.—I've been trying to contact someone all morning. It seems everyone is asleep or hungover. I'm sorry to ask you this, but can you do me a favor?
—Sure, I'm listening.—I reply, letting a tone of suspicion slip into my voice.
Kane is in the hospital. He was in a car accident last night. It's nothing serious, but the paramedics took him in. My brothers went to university because they have class at seven. Could you come to the hospital and lend me Jen's car to go to my place for the homework?I'd really appreciate it.
—I have a car.—I clarify.—I can be there in fifteen minutes, and you can explain what you need more slowly. Okay?
—Yes, my brother's room is 215, drive carefully.—The last part of his sentence carries a hint of worry.
—I will, see you soon.—I hang up.
I put some pens, a notebook, the charger, and headphones in my backpack. Then, I take my car keys and leave my room, hoping I'm not forgetting anything important.
—Are you leaving already?—I hear a bit of sadness in her voice.—Are you still mad at me? I already told you it wasn't intentional.
—I have something important to do.—I say without going into details, rushing.—I'll tell you later, I promise.
—Aren't you going to have breakfast?—She pouts.—I made you some chocolate chip pancakes.
I eat some bacon and grab a couple of pancakes to eat on the way.
—It's very good, thanks Jen.—I say with food still in my mouth, heading towards the door.
—See you at lunch?—She shouts before I go out into the hallway.
—Yes, text me.
I leave the apartment and quickly head to the parking lot. I get into my car, leaving my backpack in the back seat. I drive carefully, but fast, to the hospital. I find room 215 following the directions of a nurse I found at the reception. Crossing the hallway, I see Denver sitting on a chair outside the room. His face is visibly tired, as if he hasn't slept all night.
—Thanks for coming.—He says listlessly.
—You're welcome. What happened to him?
—It was on a street near your apartment. A car ran a red light and crashed into his, sending him skidding into a pole. Luckily, he wasn't seriously injured, just hurt his neck. He'll have to wear a neck brace for a couple of days, but he'll be fine.
—I'm glad to hear that.—I offer him an empathetic smile.
A lump forms in my throat. If I hadn't made him drop me off at the apartment, he wouldn't be here. In part, I feel it's my fault.
—Can I borrow your car to get the homework? I promise to be back quickly.
—Sure, here are the keys. Take your time, no need to rush, okay?
—I'll drive carefully, I promise. Can I ask you a favor before I go?—He asks, a bit embarrassed.—Could you keep an eye on him? He's asleep, I don't think he'll wake up soon. You can go in, there's a comfortable armchair in the room.
—Don't worry, I'll take care of him.—I offer him a smile to convey some calm.
—Thanks, Kate.
He offers me a small smile before leaving. I enter the room, trying not to make noise with the door, I sit in the armchair next to the bed and watch Kane sleep. My mind keeps going over what happened last night. Everything that happened led us here. If only we had done something different…
—What are you doing here?—Kane asks in a low voice, barely opening his eyes.
—Denver went to your house for our homework, he asked me to stay here while he's gone.—I get up from the armchair and approach the bed.—Do you need me to call a nurse?
—It's not necessary.—He replies arrogantly.—You can leave. I can take care of myself.
—I don't doubt it, but I'm not leaving.—I say sharply.
—If I tell you that all this is your fault, would you leave?—The tone he uses is harsh, but that's exactly what he wants. I can't blame him for being upset with me, after all, it's partly my fault he ended up there. I was the one who made him angry. Was he distracted because of that?
—Do you think I don't know?— I reply, my voice breaking. —I know it's partly my fault.
—Yes, it was a mistake. I should have never offered to take you.
—I should have never saved you from the police.
—I should have never saved you from that idiot.
—I should have never talked to you.—I say, annoyed.
I don't know when he took my hand, but suddenly I feel a strong pull and fall sitting on the edge of the bed. He pulls me hard, as if he wanted to kiss me. When we are inches from kissing, I turn my head. I don't understand anything. A second ago we were fighting and now he wants to kiss me? What's wrong with him? We just met. What does he think?
Now I'm confused, angry, guilty about the accident, but also furious with him for sending these mixed signals.
—What's wrong?—He frowns.
—You're an idiot.—I get up from the bed, furious.—Do you think I'm like those girls at the party? I'm not going to fall for your cheap tricks. Do you think that just because you make me feel sorry for you, I'm going to kiss you? Let me make this clear: I'm never going to want to kiss you, much less be with you. Stop trying to seduce me, or whatever it is you're trying to do.
Kane falls silent, as if I've left him speechless. He just stares at me, visibly annoyed, while his heart rate picks up, the tension growing between us. I can tell by the heart monitor connected to him.
—I'll be outside.—I say without looking at him as I head to the door.
—I'm sorry.—He says almost under his breath, in a low, almost inaudible voice.
I keep walking, not looking back. It's 7:20 a.m.; Denver left about half an hour ago, but he should be back any minute. The university is 25 minutes away, according to the GPS, so I still have time.
—Sorry for the delay.—He arrives five minutes later, with a couple of coffees in his hand and two paper bags.—To thank you, I bought you breakfast.
—Thanks, but you didn't have to. I don't mind helping my friends at all, even though I've only known you for 24 hours.—We both laugh.
—I've never had a female friend, only male friends. It's because I always went to an all-boys school.
—I'm glad to be the first then.—I smile.
—Being friends, can I ask you another favor?
—Now I feel like you're taking advantage.—I joke.—What do you need?
—Kane gets discharged tomorrow at noon. My brothers don't finish classes until two in the afternoon, and my dad doesn't return until the day after tomorrow. Do you think you could give us a ride home?
—No problem. Our only class tomorrow is computer science, and since the workshops start next week, they mentioned that the class will only be an hour this week. I'll be free from nine.
—The company would be nice.
—I'll be here.—I smile. —Let me know if you need anything else.
—Thanks.—He smiles back.