First Punch ➟ Kellic

T H I R T Y T H R E E

I'm completely freaking out. How could I forget my bandana? How stupid could I possibly be? I know I was in a rush, but honestly, Cooper, what the fuck?

I can't risk texting Jake and have Lucas see it, or even just see my contact name for that matter. I haven't heard from Jake either, and I'm trying to take that as a good sign. If anything horrible had happened, he would've called me.

I'm currently staring into the abyss of my closet, biting my nails and counting down the minutes until I have to leave. It's been over an hour and a half since I left Jake, and my heart is still thumping in my chest. What if Lucas saw it? What if Jake didn't notice that I'd left it behind? Oh God, I don't know how we're gonna get out of this. As far as Lucas knows, I've never been inside their house. Ugh, we're screwed.

We made a plan to meet at the hospital around 5 since that's when Andres is supposed to be discharged, and I check my phone, seeing that it's almost 4:30. I should really get going. Still though, my feet don't move. I just keep staring at my minimal clothes, petrified of what's awaiting me. I have to go though. I have to find out if Lucas knows. I pull on some random sweater, acting as though it'll help to soften any blows Lucas might throw my way. Honestly though, he might just jump right into murdering me.

I head out of the house, not wanting to waste money on a cab and instead get on a bus headed downtown. The entire ride I'm watching all round me, jumping at every noise and just generally stressing the fuck out. Why won't Jake just text me? Did he not notice? Did he find it? Oh God, what if he didn't see it?

The bus reaches downtown and I almost forget to push the button before my stop, the bus lurching as the driver slams on the breaks to let me off. It's fucking embarrassing, but I hardly register it because my heart is beating so fast it feels like it's gonna explode.

I walk down the street in the direction of the hospital, feeling like I can't breathe. I'm totally panicking. I can't walk in there like this, but until I do I won't be able to calm down. I need Jake. He's the only way to stabilize me when I get hysterical like this.

I walk through the automatic doors into the lobby of the hospital, scanning the room for any sign of Jake or his friends. I'm a little bit late, so they should be around here somewhere. I head over to the staircase, not wanting to get on an elevator with the mass of people standing near it. I head up to the fourth floor where I know Andres's room is, my entire body stress sweating. We're fucked. I'm dead. I might be safe with Andres's parents around, but the second they're out of sight I'm a total goner.

I cautiously push the door open, looking down the hall at my ultimate demise. I spot Jake, Lucas, Mateo, and who I assume are Andres's parents standing outside of his door. They don't see me yet, and it only makes matters worse. I need Jake to give me some kind of sign. I need to know whether to make a run for it. Annoyingly, he only turns his head when I'm a few steps away.

"Hey, there you are," he greets, smiling at me. I try to return it, but it's a pathetic excuse for an expression of happiness.

I awkwardly give a wave to the rest of the group as Jake introduces me, "This is Cooper, a friend of ours."

My attention is glued to Lucas, waiting for any sign of a threat. He just rolls his eyes at the introduction, not paying any attention to me. I suppose that's a good sign.

A nurse approaches us, handing Andres's parents some forms. I look over at Jake, trying to mentally communicate, but he isn't looking at me. Everyone files into Andres's room and Jake finally makes eye contact. He just smiles though, clearly not reading my distressed mood.

I keep an eye on Lucas as I settle at the back of the room, leaning against a counter and bracing myself. I still don't notice anything off about him, and instead take in Andres's appearance. He looks a lot better. His bruises and casts are all gone, and the only sign of him having been injured is a sling on his arm and crutch in his hand.