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  For some reason, I look at Sky… maybe to see her reaction to all of this.

  “Yeah. I remember.”

  “She was back but she passed away a few weeks ago.”

  I lower my head and stare at the floor. I definitely didn’t expect this.

  I feel Sky’s hand on mine again and look up at her. She looks heartbroken.

  I look at Craig, “We should get going.”

  He nods. “It was good seeing you, man. I’m glad you’re doing good.”

  I get up and shake his hand. “Let me know if you need anything,” I say. “Same number.”

  He says he will, but I have a feeling he won’t. We went our separate ways last time and that was it.

  Sky and I walk quietly to the elevator and when the doors close and the elevator starts to move, I sit on the floor, against the back, and lower my head covering my face with my hands. I start to take deep breaths… in and out… all to keep myself from freaking out. This could have been me. It could still be me.

  I feel Sky’s arms go around me followed by the elevator door opening. Then it closes again and I feel the movement. I uncover my eyes and my arms go around her. I’m not the kind of guy who cries, but I have to admit that I fight back the tears. The thought that I could be back here tomorrow or even just… be gone… freaks me out like it never did before.

  When I hear the elevator door open again, I pull away and we both stand up. I hold on to her hand and we walk quietly all the way to the truck.

  When I feel together enough to look at her, I can tell she was crying at some point.

  “What is on your mind?” I ask her.

  “I don’t know what to think, Alec. I guess, I think you were given a second chance and you should be making the most out of it, but I also understand that the healing process doesn’t magically stop when the illness is cured. I get where you are coming from and that you need time to deal with this. It’s a lot for anyone, especially a kid.” She pauses. “I don’t even know what I would do if I was in your place.”

  All I can think listening to her is, “This girl is amazing.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  SKYLAR

  I keep replaying the words Alec said to me. The whole time, I just wanted to give him a hug and hope that would somehow make him feel better. All of my problems suddenly seem so insignificant compared to what he has gone through.

  On Monday morning, Mike and I go to school together. During lunch, I’m about to leave the bathroom when Lizzie and Mandy come in and block my way out.

  “What do you want?” I ask.

  Mandy stays back, blocking the door, and Lizzie gets in my face.

  “Did you have a good time at Alec’s this weekend?”

  I give her a smug smile and raise my chin up. “I sure did!”

  She grins and steps closer to me. I instantly step back.

  “Good. I’m glad I still have that effect on you.”

  I no longer feel as brave as I did a second ago.

  “Has Alec asked you to prom?” she asks.

  “No,” I lie. Well, not a complete lie being that he’s trying to go with a bunch of friends and not as a date. “He didn’t ask me to be his date or anything.”

  “Good. Not that he would want to,” she looks me up and down, “but if he does, you are going to turn him down. Got it?”

  I want to tell her off, but the words don’t come out. I often wonder why out of all people, she insists on bugging me. When I don’t answer her, she grabs my arm and presses down--her fingernails, piercing my skin.

  “Answer me when I’m talking to you!”

  “Sure.”

  “Sure what?” she presses harder.

  “Let her go,” says Mandy from the door. “She’s scared as hell of you. She won’t go with him.”

  She looks annoyed, but lets go, turns around, and leaves.

  I look at my image in the mirror. I look pale and frightened. I suddenly feel mad at myself for not being able to stand up to her.

  After a while, some girl comes in and asks if I’m Skylar.

  “Yes,” I say, still staring at my reflection in the mirror.

  “Your friend Mike asked me to check on you and see if you’re okay.”

  I look away from the mirror and toward the girl I don’t recall seeing before.

  “Thank you,” I leave the bathroom and find Mike standing right outside, waiting.

  “I saw Lizzie and Mandy talking about you. What happened?”

  “Nothing.” I rub my arm and he glances at it.

  He turns around.

  “Where are you going?” I ask.

  “To the principal’s office.”

  “Mike, don’t. It will only make things worse, okay? Let me deal with it.”

  He turns around and faces me. “I told you if they laid a hand on you again, I would tell someone. This is serious, Skylar. You shouldn’t have to ‘deal with it’!”

  I sigh. “If it happens again, I’ll tell someone,” I promise.

  “I swear, Skylar. If you don’t, I will.”

  I put on a sweater to cover the marks on my arm and we go to the cafeteria.

  During lunch, we see Alec and try to avoid him by looking like we are deep in conversation. He gets the message and stays away, but not for long.

  At the end of lunch, he comes over and tells me that he’ll be able to go to the game with us. The entire time we talk, I can see Lizzie watching us.

  ***

  The next two days, I avoid Alec. It feels like a game of hide-and-seek in a way. By the middle of the week, Alec comes over one day after school.

  “Can we talk?” he asks.

  We end up going to the backyard and sitting on the swings.

  “Are you avoiding me because of the day we went to the hospital?”

  I give him a puzzled look… until it hits me that he probably thinks he scared me away. And I feel horrible about it.

  “Oh, no! I don’t want you to think that. Of course that isn’t it.”

  “But you are avoiding me.”

  I take a deep breath. “I’m not avoiding you. I’m avoiding problems with Lizzie.”

  He shakes his head. “Lizzie doesn’t dictate who is and who isn’t my friend, Sky. Just ignore her.”

  “Look. I don’t want to talk about her anymore, okay?”

  “Okay, but I’m having lunch with you for the rest of the week.”

  I laugh. “Do I have a choice?”

  “No.”

  Luckily, Lizzie misses school on Thursday and Friday, so Alec and Kyle have lunch with Mike and I without me having to worry about dealing with her. Although I’m sure that Mandy is giving her all kinds of details and then some.

  Friday, after school, I see Kyle and Alec in the parking lot. Mike drove his mom’s car today so he’s giving me a ride home.

  “Hey. Wait up,” says Kyle.

  I turn around and wait for him and Alec to catch up. Mike watches them curiously.

  “Sooo,” says Kyle, “I heard they’ll be announcing the school’s talent show early next week and I was wondering if you’d sing with me.”

  I don’t even have to think about it. “That is not a good idea,” I say. Talent shows are on my list of things I hate. I look at Alec and he looks as surprised about Kyle asking as I am.

  “Come on. Pleeeease,” Kyle begs. “You’re awesome and I really want to win this year.”

  “What are you doing, Bro?” Alec asks.

  “Trying to kill some time! I can’t play baseball for another week. I’m bored out of my mind after school. Please, Sky,” says Kyle, and Alec and I both look at one another. Only Alec ever called me Sky.

  “Maybe,” I say.

  “Do you have time to talk about it today? I know you are heading to Atlanta, but if you have some time, we can talk about songs and stuff.”

  “I haven’t agreed yet.”

  “What if I let you pick the song?”

  “Ugh. Fine! Can you be at my house in an ho
ur?”

  He grins. “I’ll be there.”

  I shake my head as I get in Mike’s car. I can’t believe I just agreed to that.

  ALEC

  I could choke Kyle right now. I asked him to leave her alone…

  “Are you mad at me?” he asks as we walk toward my truck.

  “Nope.”

  “Yeah, you are. It’s just a talent show. Just meet me at her house in an hour. You can be there to see that I’m not trying to pull anything.”

  “Can’t. I’m hopefully getting this stupid thing taken off my wrist today.”

  “Oh. I forgot about that. Look, Bro, I’m not trying anything here. She’s a really good singer and I really do want to win. That’s all.”

  I’m in a horrible mood now. “Fine, but can you maybe not call her Sky?”

  “I guess,” he says like he doesn’t really care either way. “Well, if I don’t see you later, have fun this weekend, Bro.”

  “I will.”

  He gets in his car, and I get in my truck and I head over to the hospital.

  My bad mood doesn’t last long. The doctor says my wrists needs more time to heal, but it has improved and he gives me a removable splint. I know I overreacted with Kyle and I don’t even know why. I end up texting him saying that I'm sorry and that I’m just stressed out about my wrist and how it’s healing.

  Once I’m done at the hospital, I let myself relax.

  I can hardly wait for the weekend.

  A few hours later, I meet Sky at her house. Mike is there too. We get into her parents SUV with Sky sitting in the middle.

  She looks at my wrist and frowns.

  “It’s almost all healed up,” I say. “I don’t even have to keep this on all the time. I just forgot to take if off before we left.” Okay, this is an exaggeration of the truth, but her eyes lit up when I tell her that. I end up taking off the splint and throwing it in my bag

  “How did it go with Kyle today?” I ask.

  “Good, I guess. He changed his mind about me picking the song,” she laughs. “In fact, we couldn’t agree on one so we’re going to talk about it later. He said he would text me.”

  “Wow.”

  “What?” she asks.

  “I was just thinking it’s a damn shame—” Her mom glances back at me. “Sorry,” I say and she looks forward again.

  I look back at Sky. “It’s just crazy he has your number and I don’t.”

  She laughs. “Well, you do live next door. I guess that eliminates you needing it.”

  I shrug. “Can I see your phone?” I ask.

  She gives me a confused look but hands it over. I type in my number and send myself a text. I then give it back to her. “There. Now you have my number and I have yours.”

  I go back to talking about the talent show. “So, do you really want to do this talent show? You know you don’t have to.”

  “I know. It’s fine though. I’ll do it.”

  I look over at her friend Mike wanting to ask what he thinks, but he’s just zoning out, staring out the window, so I leave him alone.

  The drive to Atlanta is not that long, but after a while, Sky starts to doze off.

  Her mom looks back at her and laughs, then looks at me.

  “She can never stay awake for the whole drive.”

  “HAHA Mom,” says Sky. She is now wide awake again, but not for long. This time, she falls asleep and ends up leaning her head on my shoulder. Her friend Mike keeps glancing at me and doesn’t seem happy. ‘This is kind of nice’, I think to myself. ‘No. I can’t think like this. No dating.’

  When she opens her eyes, she blushes. Looking completely embarrassed, she apologizes.

  “It’s fine, Sky.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  Her Uncle J lives in a huge house, and by huge, I mean it’s like a mansion.

  “Wow,” I say as we drive up the driveway. “What did you say your uncle does for a living?” I ask.

  “He works for the team… sports medicine,” she says.

  “Wow,” I say again.

  Her uncle is so laid back and cool. He looks like he is in his thirties. He welcomes us and gives us a quick tour, showing us the game room and the bedroom I’ll be sharing with Mike.

  He orders pizza and we all eat in the living room.

  “Skylar tells me you used to play, Alec.”

  “Yeah. A while back.”

  He nods. “Do you have a favorite player?”

  “Not in particular. I pretty much like the whole team.”

  “Good. They are great guys.” He pauses and yawns. “Well everyone, we have to be up really early tomorrow so I’m off to bed.

  We all pretty much go to bed at the same time.

  Sharing a room with Mike is weird. We have nothing in common, well, other than Sky. I lie down and pretend to fall asleep right away, just to avoid awkward conversation.

  SKYLAR

  Uncle J pulls me aside in the morning. We step onto the back patio and he closes the door behind us. “Your mom mentioned that you didn’t tell Alec about him being able to help the guys warm up for the game. Don’t you think he will like it?”

  “I—I honestly don’t know. I didn’t want him to feel like I was putting him on the spot to do this and end up not coming.”

  Uncle J shrugs. “You’re not forcing him to do anything. Just wait until we get there and ask. If he wants to do this, that is great. If not, that is fine too.”

  “Thanks, Uncle J. But can I ask why you are doing this?”

  “I’ve seen some great players go through some kind of trauma and decide to drop everything. Sometimes, people just need a little reminder that certain things are worth fighting for.”

  I get closer and give him a hug. “Thanks, Uncle J.”

  Mom opens the back door. “Everyone is ready to go,” she says excitedly.

  Uncle J looks at his watch. “We do have to go. Do you want to ride with me, Skylar?”

  “Sure.”

  After we park the cars, we go in through the entrance that leads to the locker rooms.

  Uncle J looks at Alec. “The team is doing warm ups now.” He then looks at me, and winks before he starts to talk to Mom and Dad. They end up leaving me behind with Alec and a very quiet Mike.

  “This is really amazing, Sky. Thanks for inviting me,” says Alec.

  I smile. I’m excited and nervous. I don’t want to make Alec feel like he has to do this.

  “Alec, Uncle J said you can help the team warm up. You don’t have to if you don’t want to. It’s just--”

  I see a million emotions flash through his eyes at that moment. Confusion… doubt… and then, he looks right at me, and grins.

  “I’ll make a deal with you,” he says.

  Now I’m the one looking confused. “Okay?”

  “I’ll go on that field if you go to prom with me.”

  I’m shocked for a moment, and I just happen to glance at Mike, who is shaking his head.

  “As friends?” I ask.

  He nods. “Yes, as friends.” He pauses. “If that’s what you want.”

  ‘If that is what I want? What does that even mean?’ I think to myself, and just nod in agreement.

  “… and if you can come on the field with me?” he asks.

  I laugh. “I don’t know the first thing about baseball.”

  He shrugs. “I’ll teach you.”

  I’m about to agree when I glance at Mike again and see how left out he looks.

  “I’d rather just watch from our seats.”

  “Oh. Okay.” Alec looks disappointed and before we leave to go to our seats, I see how nervous he is. His hands are shaking… I find myself wanting to go with him, but I don’t want Mike to feel unwelcome. Before I change my mind, I walk away from Alec.

  “You’re really quiet,” I say to Mike.

  He takes a deep breath. “I don’t have anything nice to say. I mean… prom? Really? And that BS about only being friends… I just keep wondering what Kristi
would say about this if she was unlucky enough to be here.”

  I gasp. “Unlucky?” I ask.

  Mike looks away. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean that. It’s just that… I don’t even know why I am here. I don’t belong here. You have changed so much over the past few weeks.”

  “I’m the same person, Mike. And you are here because you are my best friend.”

  But what he said can’t be taken back. My mood shifts. I’m the one who is quiet now. I find myself pulling a rubber band from my pocket. I put it around my wrist and snap it over and over again. For some reason, doing this takes my mind off things. I end up zoning out, thinking about Kristi, and don’t really pay attention to Alec out on the field. It’s not until he plops down in the seat next to me that I realize how much I missed.

  “That was… awesome. Kyle won’t believe this!” I look at him and he has the biggest smile on his face. The smile quickly turns into a frown once he looks at the rubber band.

  “Hey, there are a few minutes before the game starts. Do you want to go get some snacks?” he asks.

  “Yes, I guess. Mike, do you want to go?”

  “No. I’ll stay. Thanks.”

  After we walk for a while, Alec stops me. “Do you want to tell me what happened?”

  “What do you mean?” I ask.

  “You were so happy this morning and now… you’re just… different.”

  “I just had a moment. I miss Kristi. That is all.”

  He raises his eyebrows. “Did Mike say something to you? About prom or anything?”

  “No,” I lie. “I really just miss her. That’s all.”

  “Are you sure?” he asks.

  I nod.

  He surprises me by slipping his hand into mine and pulling me along with him toward the food stands.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  ALEC

  Something about Mike rubs me the wrong way. It’s like one moment Sky is fine and after spending time alone with him, something changes completely. I have a feeling he keeps bringing up Kristi in front of her, but I could be wrong.

  I let it go and try to have fun. The game is fantastic; but being able to be on the field with the team, was out of this world. And after the game, we even got to spend time with the players before going out to dinner. The whole time, Sky is quiet. She tries to smile when she notices me looking at her, but her smile never quite reaches her eyes.