On the way home, Mark stops at the hospital, so we can fix my ankle. The receptionist recognizes me from the last time I was here, and waves with a smile. She doesn't seem to find it weird that I'm here I'm the middle of the night.

The doctor tells me that my ankle is, indeed, broken. But it's not that severe, and it should be good in a few weeks. He painfully adjusts it before wrapping it in a cast, and gives me some crutches. I'd really rather not have either of these things, but I don't want to damage my ankle any further. The doctor offers to check out my stitches since I'm here, but he just gives them one look before saying I'll have to give it a few more days. The cut was too deep to heal quickly. Sigh.

Calyen and I stay home from school on Monday. Were both too traumatized to be around so many people. Turns out Danny was the buddy that Caylen had excused himself to talk to that morning, and he'd just wanted to explain the water balloon idea. Now he's blaming himself for everything. But he really shouldn't. I'd be fine with him blaming himself if he had personally called The Red and asked them to hang around, ready to pounce. But he didn't. He did nothing wrong.

Danny's parents drop by. Once they'd gotten the news, they'd rushed home in a panic. They come over just to talk to Caylen and I, and tell us that they don't blame is for any of the events that night. It just makes me feel worse. They invite us to his funeral, but I decline, knowing I wouldn't be able to hold in my guts.

---------------------------------------------

On Wednesday, I finally go to school. (Rob gives me a ride.) Caylen doesn't go, and honestly, I was tempted to stay home as well. But I feel the need to see Kian, as if somehow he'd make me feel better.

In the morning, I can't find him. I wonder with a sinking feeling if he's even at school. He's had perfect attendance though, so what would make him not come?

In class, people ask me how I broke my ankle, and I just tell them that I fell.

"What were you doing when you fell?" a kid asks.

"I was falling...," I say.

"No!" someone else says. "How did you fall?"

"I tripped."

Soon they just roll their eyes and get back to work.

In third period, Robin doesn't question me after I tell her that I fell, for which I am grateful.

"I emailed you," she says.

"Sorry. I've been busy," I say, looking at my covered ankle.

Hayden isn't a fun person to argue with. In computer class, he about drives me insane.

"How'd ya fall?" he asks, poking my cast.

"I tripped."

"Over what?"

"...My foot. Just a clumsy move, okay?"

"Were you running or walking?"

"Walking."

"Where?"

"On the sidewalk."

"Which one?"

"Main Street," I answer with a little grimace.

"What were you doing there?"

"I was hanging out with Caylen."

"Who?"

"My friend. Well, I guess he's my stepbrother."

"You guess?"

"We're kinda more like friends."

"So what were you doing with him?"

"We were playing with water balloons." I really don't like lying.

"On Main Street?"

"Yes."

"Hey! Isn't that where that kid from out school was murdered?"

"Was it?" I ask, trying to be nonchalant.

"Yeah. It was The Red." He looks a little sad. "Surely you've heard all about it."

"Trust me. I have." Oh yes, I most definitely have.

Luckily, he changes the subject. "Can I sign your cast?"

"Sure," I hold it out, glad I don't have to lie anymore.

A few people have signed my cast already, including Robin. But, Hayden apparently feels the need to make me regret letting him sign it.

Hayden was here! Don't get well too soon, because this needs to stay: HAYDEN IS GOOD LOOKING.

"Hey!" I exclaim, receiving a warning glance from Ms. Mayberry. I switch to a whisper. "You're so evil!"

He snickers, but then leaves me alone. The little pest.

Once the bell rings, I'm not sure what to do. Do I rush to lunch to see if Kian's there? Or do I walk slowly to stall time in case he isn't? I don't want to have to sit alone. Since I have crutches, I decide to slowly and carefully make my way over there. Luckily I don't have to walk up or down any stairs.

The cafeteria is full when I arrive. But, with relief, I see that Kian's table is empty, except for one person. Kian. I pay for my lunch but then realize I have no way to carry it. The cafeteria ladies don't seem to see my problem, so I stand there like an idiot eating for someone to offer help.

I hear a voice behind me. "Need a hand?"

I turn my head. "Kian!" I might have sounded a little too excited, but I'm just so glad to see him. He picks up my tray and we walk together to the table. Once were sitting, I say, "I didn't see you this morning."

"I was late," he says.

"Were you?"

"Yes. I didn't see you yesterday."

"Or Monday," I point out.

"I wasn't here on Monday, either," he says.

"That's weird. I thought you didn't miss school."

"Who told you that?"

"My stepbrother.... Never mind. I guess I shouldn't pay attention to what other people say about you."

He just nods. Even though I really want to, I decide against asking him why he missed school. It's probably not a big deal.

"Where were you?" he asks.

"I tripped and broke my ankle. Once we get outside, you can sign my cast."

"I don't need to."

"Why not?"

"You're going to get well whether I sign it or not." He smiles a little.

"Come on! It's just a fun thing to do. You could sign the bottom, where no one will see."

"But then you won't be able to see it."

I pause, thinking it through. "Huh. I guess that would be a little hard."

"I don't think Hayden would appreciate me writing on his newfound domain, anyway."

"Huh?"

"He's clearly made a big deal out of signing it. He doesn't need a note from me to distract from it," he responds with that annoying little smile.

"But I want you to sign it," I protest.

"Why me?"

"Because you're my friend."

He doesn't say anything. He stares at his food.

"Am I your friend?" I ask.

"I don't have friends."

"Well, now ya do."

He picks up his tray and heads to the trash, with me following awkwardly. I'm painfully walking on my cast, holding my tray in one hand and my crutches in the other, until I get rid of the tray and am able to follow him to the tree we always sit at.

I don't say anything once I'm sitting next to him. I just stare at my cast and the embarrassing note that Hayden left. I really wish he hadn't done that.

I've been trying to hold it in, but the thoughts of what happened over the weekend come flooding in. Tears spill from my eyes before I even know what's happening.

Kian looks at me weirdly, but he doesn't say anything. He knows that if he asks what my problem is then I have a right to ask about his problems.

But I have to tell somebody. I can't just keep lying about my ankle and keep the memories of the weekend to myself. At least not the real story of how I broke my ankle.

"Kian," I say, "I have to tell you something."

He looks at me with apparent worry on his face.

"I trust you Kian," I say. "I don't know why, or how it happened, but I do. I know it's crazy, but I need to tell you what happened."

"You shouldn't trust me," he says.

"Kian. I can tell that you're slowly starting to accept me. Or maybe not that slow. But I've noticed how different you've been acting since last week. Now shut up and let me tell you."

He smiles ever so slightly at that last sentence. I almost smile too, except this matter is far too serious for me to smile while thinking about.

"You know that kid that was killed by The Red this weekend?" I start. Kian's face immediately goes pale. He probably wasn't expecting such a serious topic. "I was there," I say. His eyes, beautiful as they are, show extreme worry. I tell him almost everything. The water balloons, falling off of the balcony, and finding Danny dead. I don't tell him anything about the agency, or about going back to inspect it. I don't tell him any of my observations, but just what happened.

"You can't tell anyone," I say.

He nods, clearly at a loss for words.

The tears have slowed, leaving my eyes a little red and puffy. Neither of us speak for what feels like forever, when finally Kian says something.

"Natalie, when you were gone yesterday, I realized something." He speaks slowly and carefully, making each word perfect. "I had no one to talk to. I had to sit by myself again. And I realized.... I don't like it." He pauses, and his voice quivers when he says, "Natalie, you were right. I don't like being alone."

I look him in the eye, and I can see how hard it must have been for him to say that. But it meant so much to me. Not that he admitted I was right, but the fact that he's opened up, and even more that he likes having me around. The thought that he missed me while I was gone.... It feels...wonderful.

I don't even think about my next move. I reach over and embrace him. I don't care who's looking, or what they think. After a second of hesitation, Kian awkwardly hugs me back. Hugging is supposed to be healthy, and now I feel it as the stress from the weekend is washed away.

The bell is what makes me pull away, wiping remnants of tears from my face and feeling a deep feeling of satisfaction.