"I Said 'What's wrong with your arm?'"

"I almost got hit" I stuttered. Mom's eyes widened wider than they ever widened "ON. Almost got hit ON. By a girl. So I Yeah I told her... That I'm not into girls you know because I'm gay and stuff. And she said 'I'll be the man that you need' which kinda freaked me out and I--ran away--BACKWARDS yes so I tripped on a rock because you know roads here are different. And so I landed on my arm. Yeah that's about it."

"So that's what happened?"

"Yup"

"And that's how you hurt your arm?"

"Yup"

"And you expect me to believe that?"

"Yeppity yup yup"

"Well I don't believe one shit that came out of your mouth for the past 10 minutes. You better tell me what happened. Now."

Why did she not believe me I completely nailed the story uggHhhH.

"Fine I almost got hit by a motorcycle. Happy?"

"YOU WHAT?" MAN she's got a loud voice.

"It was an accident and I wasn't paying attention much it's not his fault."

"You will not defend someone who almost got you injured. Well technically he did get you injured but you know what I mean"

"Even if he's hot?" she face palmed. She does it quite often. "Ah come on. It's nothing serious really."

"Uh huh. Yeah. Sure. We're going to the hospital. Get your ass in the car right now."

It didn't take us long to get to the hospital. It was different. Smaller. Everything was smaller. The town was smaller. The hospital was smaller. The roads were shorter. Not much cars. I liked the change. The hospital looked like hospitals. The nurses looked like nurses. And the doctors wore doctor stuff.

Passing through the ER, I contemplated my surroundings. Nothing but white walls but still contemplation nonetheless.

My turn came quick because like I said, it's a small town.

After a routinic check, and reflexes check, and a few other checks, I was free to go. They said it's just bruises and they'll go away in a couple weeks, but it's better if I don't move it around a lot to promote faster healing and to not get it worked up.

"You leave home for a couple hours and you get back to me harmed and bruised. What am I going to do with you" mom spoke calmly and in a well demeanored manner once we were in the car. She did not shout. At all. She'd never.

"Accidents happen"

"Don't sass me"

"I'm not! You're making a big deal out of a teeny tiny accident"

"You could've died"

"I didn't"

"You better not. I swear to God if you die on me I'm gonna ground you forever"

I laughed hard. "Literally"

She laughed too. And just like that, her tantrum was over and she was back to normal. She spins a 180 degrees turn in a jiffy.

"So what's his name?" mom spoke after a couple minutes of silence.

"whose name?" I acted like I didn't know exactly who she's talking about and where she's going with it.

"You know who"

"Voldemort?"

"Oh shut up. Now spill"

"Okay, Okay. His name is Zac and he's around my age. And like I said, he's h-o-t" I confessed shamelessly.

"Good looks aren't everything-"

"Cut me the lecture please" I quickly interrupted her. I do not wanna listen to another 'It's what's on the inside that matters' lecture. I memorized them better than my name.

"Alright, Alright. Do you like him?"

"Did I not say he's h-o-t? Of course I do. Also he works at the clothing store I bought my clothes from this morning. He was so patient and cheerful and everything not me."

"What! You are cheerful!" she was trying I'd give her that. To be fair, I have always acted cheerful when I was in her company. Because I actually was. And I didn't want her to be more sad than she was because I wasn't happy. Yes I wasn't happy. I wasn't happy with our situation. My dad leaving us. And worse, my dad's wild comeback. The new living arrangements. Isaac not being home because of me (I was assuming that is) but it was probably true.

If I were him I would. Living in a large house, just me and my dad. Have everything I need or want. A pool, a big room, a nice calm life. Why would I want to share that with another family and call it my own? It wasn't fair on his side. On my side, it didn't matter much. I only cared about mom's happiness and Liam was it. I wouldn't want anything in the world to come between her and her happiness and if I were to bear the guilt of causing a boy to leave his dad then I will.

"I sure am, mom" it couldn't sound not sarcastic no matter how I said it.

Mom parked outside of the garage because she was a lazy ass. I got it from her.

When we got in, I went straight to the bags to take them upstairs but she immediately stopped me and told me to go rest.

My phone buzzed the moment I reached my room.

*Zaccc: Hey, just checking if your arm is doing fine*

Awkward was my first thought.

After a few moments of hesitation as to what should I say I typed out a text.

*Evan: Yeah I just came back from the hospital. It's all good..*

His reply was extremely quick.

*Zaccc: Oh God you went to the hospital because of me! Do I have to pay anything? I mean I will pay if it cost you much I can take a few more shifts. Wait I'll call you...*

I Barely reached the second line of the big ass text he sent when my screen blacked out and "Zaccc" flashed on the screen under the wide 'Incoming Call'. I swiped the green button, though I regretted it immediately. I sucked at phonecalls.

"Are you okay? You looked fine back at the store what happened"

"Nothing happened really. Just mom being her overprotective self."

"Oh no so your mom knows now. Is she like gonna yell at me or something? Or will I get a restraining order by tomorrow morning"

I didn't speak. I didn't know what to say. What do you tell a freaking out person? I wasn't good at all that. I barely spoke to people.

"Evan? Oh man she's gonna do something right?"

"Who's gonna do what?" I heard what I thought it was Rue ask in the background.

"No no. She's not gonna do anything. We just went for a checkup to make sure no serious damage happened. It's all good don't worry."

He sighed, hard.

"If you say so. Like I said, I owe you a favor. Anything anytime I swear."

"Gotcha."

"Alright I'm gonna hang up before they notice I'm on the phone. Luckily I know where I can be hidden away from the cameras"

"That's good. Take care of yourself I guess."

"Hey Evan?"

"Yes?"

"Will you um.. Would you like to hang out sometime?"

"Do you mean like a date?" Was I hyperventilating? Yes I was. I was astonished. He actually cared about what he did. He felt responsible. But I didn't want him to go out with me just because he feels guilty. I didn't need anyone to pity date me. I was good as is.
"Look you don't have to do anything out of guilt or pity. It's all good and you can go on with your life. You don't have to worry about my existence"

"No! No! I didn't mean it like that. We can just have a friendly lunch. I'm not doing this out of anything. You're kinda cool and it was fun being with you today"

"' Kinda'" I retorted

"Oh you know what I mean. So what do you say? Lunch with me after my work is done?"

"OH MY GOD DID YOU ASK HIM OUT? DID HE SAY YES? EEEEP"

If I weren't telling my story, I'd definitely be Rue.

"Alright what time should I be there?"

"Be at the store by 5:30pm."

"Okay. And tell Rue I can hear her. Bye"

"Shit. Laters"

He hung up. He asked me out. What did just happen.