Page 37 of Your Fan Forever

Twelve

Callie

My eyes blinkedopen and I felt nothing. No pain, no grief, only quiet, but the world swirled around me. The lights were too bright and the people moved too fast. I tried to speak, but nothing came out and then …BAM!

“Twenty year old female. Unconscious with head wound onthe…”

“Doctor.” The nurse took my hand. “Sweetie you’re going to be ok. You’re in the hospital. We’re going to fix youup.”

If I could find my voice, I would have told her no duh. I was fine, but the pain seeped in slow. It gained strength before it hit me all at once. I groaned and tried to situp.

I wanted to crawl into a ball and make the pain goaway.

“Sweetie.”

Why was she calling mesweetie?

“Sweetie. Can you tell me where ithurts?”

Everywhere.

“Everywhere.” I found my voice. I soundedweird.

“Can you be morespecific?”

“No.” I closed my eyes. I pulled my hand away and tried to move, but strong hands held me down. I gave up. It took too much effort. I exhaled and my lungs burned and I took anther deep breath and the world fadedaway.

“Callie. Baby.”I recognized the hand holding mine. It made me smile even though my body ached all over. “Open your eyes forme.”

“Where am I?” I asked. My eyes remainedclosed.

“You’re at the hospital. You’re going to beok?”

“Why?” Iasked.

“Why whatbaby?”

I opened my eyes and found my favorite set of eyes staring down at me and I felt better. I felt good. I tried to sit up and groaned. Okay maybe not good, butbetter.

“You play a violent sport for a living. Why am I the one who always ends up banged up andbruised?”

“It’s the feisty red hair. Gets you introuble.”

“And you get to rescue me and save me.” I reached out and touch the smudge of dirt on hischeek.”

“Me and about ten other people.” Noah smiled. “You were on the side of amountain.”

“But you got there first. I knew you were there.” I felt it in mysoul.

He nodded. “I did get there first.” He held up his hand. “I got hurt this timetoo.”

I cringed from the caked up blood and dirt on his wrapped uphand.

Tears pooled in myeyes.

“Oh, baby. What’s wrong?” He cupped mycheek.

“You hurt yourself.” I sniffled throughtears.