The Leap [✔]

Chapter Twenty-nine

Chapter Twenty-nine

Over the next few days, my family and I prepare for my surgery. Even though I can walk a little on crutches, it's only using my good leg, the rest of my weight on the crutch.

Joey and I switch rooms, my parents promising to repaint after the holidays. Its nice to not have to ask someone to carry me up and down the stairs.

"Hey," Ben says, his head suddenly appearing. He walks through the door, papers dangling in his hand. "I brought your work from school. I did not trust Aidan to bring them to you."

I smile. "Thanks, you can put it on my desk," I say, gesturing to the cluttered desk. Ben laughs, twisting his face at the mess. "Don't make that face, I'm unpacking still."

Ben sets the papers on the desk, raising his hands. He begins to leave, then pauses. He turns, facing me. "I have to tell you something," he says. "Whitney and I are dating."

I smile. "That's great, I'm happy for you Ben!" I say. "I didn't even know you liked her."

Ben shrugs a shoulder. "We started hanging out and actually devised a plan to get rid of Carla for good." Ben goes on to explain the plan to get Carla expelled. Afterwards, Ben leaves to do his own homework.

I smile, laying into the soft pillows underneath me, closing my eyes.

"Please," I say, folding my hands in front of me. "Let us go! Aidan will be there, nothing will happen!"

Tyler stands beside me, pouting. We want to go to a Simple Plan and All Time Low concert in London with Aidan, and his friends Austin, Henry, Stephanie, and Jenna are going.

"Its not fair mom," he say, glancing at me. "We like the bands more than them anyway. Aidan said he'd take us."

She sighs, running a hand through her hair. "Look, I have to discuss it with your father," she says, shrugging. "but if your brother doesn't mind-"

I scream, hugging Tyler. He embraces me back.

"Thank you mom," we attack her with a bear hug, squeezing her tight.

"Don't get to excited," she says, "your dad can still say no."

Tyler scoffs. "Please, we know we're his favourites," Tyler says, speaking the truth.

My mom rolls her eyes. "You know we don't have favourites. We love you all equally."

I chuckle, patting her arm. "Whatever gets you through the day mom."

What we didn't expect was that our dad actually saying no, telling us we couldn't go see the concert with Aidan and his friends. We didn't let that stop us from going anyway, sneaking into the truck of Henry's SUV, hitching a ride.

Tyler and I had the best time. We were grounded for a month, but it was worth it.

Tyler was always there and then he wasn't.

***

The date of the surgery looms, the days passing with an impeccable slowness. The Holidays creep up, my mom and Beatrice decorating the house with little Santa Clauses and snow globes. It brightens everyone's mood, except mine.

Usually, I'm excited for Christmas, but this year I feel a hollowing sadness pulling at me.

Mara, my physical therapist says with a condition such as mine, its normal. Though, I'm sure the entire Austin issue isn't helping either.