Free Straight Laced by Jessica Gunhammer

awake. Do you know why you’re here?”
    “I think so.” His eyes looked like they were getting heavy.
    “Don’t fall asleep yet.” I rubbed the top of his hand. “I’m going to get a doctor.” He nodded but his eyes were still closed. I ran out of the room and grabbed the first nurse I saw. While she was going to grab the doctor, I ran back into the room but Nate was already sound asleep.
    I walked over and grabbed my cell phone out of my bag and quickly texted Brent. I thought about calling him but I didn’t want to wake him —I knew that if I did and he was sleeping he would want to bolt down here. It was best that he got his sleep and there would be no point for him to be here now.
    I held Nate’s hand again and whispered to him, “I’m going to be here every step of the way. I promise.” It may have been all in my head but I swore I saw the tiniest smile form at the corners of his mouth.

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 14
     
     
    I tried my hardest not to fall asleep in case Nate woke up again but I failed, because the next thing I knew Brent was waking me up. I glanced over at the window and guessed by the lighting outside that it was early morning.
    “Hey .” Brent smiled at me. His energy was completely different than it was the day before and the dark circles under his eyes were no longer noticeable. “I’m sorry I didn’t come back last night. I set my alarm but I ended up sleeping through it.”
    I stood up from the c hair I was sleeping in and started folding the blanket I had covered up with. “No problem.” I yawned. “You look a lot better. You needed the sleep.” I smiled at him.
    “So how was he last night? Did he say anything when he woke up?” The small conversation between Nate and I ran through my head.
    “He wasn’t up too long. I only had enough time to ask him if he remembered why he was here, he said he thought so and then he was out.”
    “Did he wake up again?”
    “I don’t think so.”
    “Al l right.” I could tell that Brent was a little upset that he wasn’t the one that was here with Nate when he woke up. “You better get home and get some sleep.”
    “Yeah. That chair isn’t very comfortable.” I grabbed my things and started out the door. “Oh, how’s Tori doing? Do you need me to come back tonight?”
    “She’s still not feeling up to par but it’s all right. I’ll stay here tonight.”
    “Brent —” I started to argue but he interrupted.
    “Really , Summer, it’s fine. I’ll just sleep here tonight.” I could tell that this was something he really wanted to do and I wouldn’t be winning the argument.
    “Okay .” I nodded my head. “But you be sure to call me if you need anything. Even if you just have to run down the street and grab food. I’ll be here if you need me.”
    He smiled at me again. “Thanks , Summer. I’m glad Tori found you, you’re a good friend.”
    When I got down to my car I was sad that I was leaving. Nate was so close to waking up for good. I knew it, I could feel it, and I promised him I would be here for him. I glanced in my rearview mirror, my hair was a mess and my eye makeup was smeared from sleeping in it. Well, it wouldn’t kill me to go home and shower. I needed to clean myself up and change into a fresh pair of clothes.
    I didn’t realized how much sleep I hadn’t got until I got home and floppe d down on my bed. My eyes immediately started to get heavy. Thoughts of Nate flooded my mind. His smile, his bike, the day we were on his bike together, the kiss we shared. But then I felt it, the sick feeling in my stomach, the guilt. I felt so guilty for thinking that he had blown me off the other night when really he was laying by himself, bleeding, in a ditch. I felt like such a horrible person.
    Then I remembered what Brent had said about Nate’s parents. I know nothing about him. Nothing. Here I w as, too busy being all whiny and crazy about what he thought of me and why he didn’t like me and