June 30th
9:00AM

Lance sat in bed. His family hadn't called him ever sense his mom called. he had nothing to do and no where to go, unless you counted the bathroom a place. All Lance could do was sit there and stare, out the window, at all the people who are free. Lance felt like a bird. he felt caged, and felt dull.

But most of all, he felt empty.

With Keith and the others at school today, he was bored to death. he had already finished the makeup homework he had from school, and he had already watched tv a lot (which had gotten bored over the course of only a few hours).

Lance had the same things enter his mind over and over again, like a broken record. Why would mom disown me? Why does my sister hate me? What am I here for?

Lance couldn't cry, even if he wanted to. He felt as if he had no more tears left to shed. Why me?

***

June 30th
9:15Am

Laura walked into the room and sighed in sympathy, seeing the Cuban boy watch everyone out the window, "You'll be out there in no time" She said, and gave him a smile, "I know this is a very sour topic, Hunny, but, I heard that your mother disowned you.."

Lance felt his stomach clench as he gave a nod. Laura sighed and sat down on the side of the bed, fixing lance's arm in his sling, then handing him a cup of tea as he sat up. Lance looked at his paralyzed arm and tried to hide it in shame.

"I know it's hard, Lance. I know exactly how you feel" Laura with sincerity, her eyes softening with a knowing look.

Lance looked up at her in confusion, "You know how I'm feeling? how?" he asked, taking a drink of the tea. Laura smiled slightly, "Well, when I was a little girl, I got in a car accident. My leg was twisted somethin' awful. it even went numb" She looked at Lance, "But, after about a month or two of rehabilitation, my leg was healed, and I could live normally once more"

Lance felt a spark of hope plaster itself in him as he gave a curious smile, "Do you think that will happen to me?" he asked.

Laura put her hand on Lance's shoulder and smiled, "If you put your mind to it, and you really believe you will get better, then you most definitely will"

***

June 30th
2:30PM

Lance looked away from the window as he heard Keith come in. He was still a bit distant, for he had been watching out the window and thinking for a while. he barely even noticed Keith slip into the chair beside his bed and set down some papers on his lap, "Lance?"

Lance, now snapped out of his distant mind, looked at the papers, "Yeah? what is this? they are all blank" he said in confusion. He couldn't help but get a little angry, They are as blank as my heart.

"I'm going to help you write again" Keith said, knowing Lance could use both of his hands to color, draw, paint, and write. Keith helped Lance get his arm out of his sling, and got the pencil so it sat softly in his grasp, which Keith had made firm to keep it in place.

Lance thought about what Laura had said a while before, about her getting better. I will get better. he thought, and closed his eyes with a deep breath.

Lance looked at his hand, and tried to move it.

silence.

no motion.

Lance gulped as he tried again, I will get better. he thought, his mind swirling to Laura's story. If Laura can do it, then I can too! he screamed in his mind, and he closed his eyes tightly.

Lance's arm didn't budge.

Keith looked at Lance in sympathy, "here, let me-"
"no!" Lance shouted, "I can't do it! Why did you bring me this stuff?! I won't ever get better..!" Lance snapped, grabbing the pencil with his good hand and tossing it across the room. He grabbed the papers that lay on his lap and slapped them on the table beside him, then laid down and turned to face away from Keith.

"It's not my fault you got your butt kicked and can't move your arm anymore! I was only trying to help!" Keith shouted, standing up and grabbing his bags, which were laying beside the wall. He left without another word.

Lance felt himself break.

***

June 30th
7:00PM

Lance sat up in his bed, noticing the stars light up the night sky. He had fallen asleep to Laura checking his arm while he stared out the window, and was now left in the dark, the light of the stars and moon giving him light. Lance looked on the floor and saw the pencil laying right beside the window. I'm so sorry Keith, Lance though with a pang of guilt, standing up and walking over to the window. He picked up the pencil and looked outside. the drop from the window and the room was big, but not too big enough to not be able to see the people walk the lighted streets and paths.

"I'm so sorry Keith" Lance said to himself as he put his hand on the window and pushed it open. he felt the wind on his face and sighed, My mom hates me, my sister hates me.. my crush hates me.. what have I done..? He thought, his mind strangely calm as he set the pencil down on the table beside the window, got up on the window sill, and sat down so his legs dangled out. He let the wind whip against his legs and run through his hair, relief passing through him.

He paused as he realized what he was doing. he gulped, a shaky breath, and quickly went back inside, shutting the windows and holding them closed by leaning against it. Lance's heart was pounding as he looked at the pencil and took it, I'm going to draw. He thought, trying and wanting so badly to calm his mind as he got back into bed and grabbed the papers from beside him.

"Draw" Lance muttered to himself as he placed the pencil in his left hand, and stared at the paper. I'm sorry Keith.. Lance thought, and closed his eyes. he pictured the pale, raven haired, mullet head. he pictured his diamond-violet eyes, and his soft, silky skin. he imagined his smile, the one he adored most of all.

Lance opened his eyes and looked out the window, I shouldn't have lashed out at Keith like that.. He thought, then looked back at his papers.

there on the papers, was a drawing of Keith.