****
A bright light shined into Breslin's eyes.
“Breslin, can you hear me.”
The guy almost sounded like his father, but there was a clear difference. He father at most times sounded distant, as if he was there but not really.
“Breslin, can you hear me.” The voice called again. This time, Breslin's body stirred in the hospital bed. Slowly opening his eyes, he was met Rory's concerned stare.
“Oh.” Breslin mumbled.
“What did you do?” Rory asked as he backed off of his younger brother.
Breslin felt fine as he laid in what was probably Clearveil Medical. Sitting next to him on the table was a stuffed bear, a card, and several balloons.
“Nothing.” Breslin responded as he tried to sit up. He felt a sharp pain in his back, probably a result of falling on the steps.
Rory directed his attention to the swollen bruise that now presented itself on Breslin's leg. "You’re telling me this is nothing."
“It’s fine.”
“Breslin, getting man handled by some guy twice your size in front of a crowd that does nothing isn't fine.”
“You weren't there.”
“Why did you pick a fight with that guy?”
“Are you saying this is my fault?”
“No,” Rory said as he sat back in the chair behind him. “It’s mine.”
“What?”
“If I wouldn’t have left, maybe you wouldn't be so angry.”
“I'm not angry!” Breslin yelled at him. The pain that appeared in his head made his instantly regret the choice.
“Ok, so then why.”
There was a long pause between the brothers.
“I was trying to protect her.”
“Who.”
“Daisy.”
“What made you think she needed protecting?”
Breslin pondered the question. Was all this truly his fault. Maybe if he hadn't stepped in, maybe Jack would have just left and everything would have been fine. But Breslin wasn't going to gamble on a maybe.
“I wanted to show her,” Breslin started. “I wanted to show her that even if she didn't need me. Even if she didn't think so. That I would always be there for her.”
“Whatever, all you have to ask yourself is, was it worth it?”
Breslin didn’t know the answer to this, but he felt like he made the right choice.
“Look. About Mom.” Rory started.
“Don’t.” Breslin cut him off. “She is who she is. I’ve accepted that.”
“Ok.” He said as he looked to the side to realized that Daisy was standing in the doorway.
Looking up, Rory let escape a small smile. “I’m leaving, but we still need to talk.”
“Bye Rory.” Breslin said as Rory walked out of the door.
As he door closed behind her, Daisy stepped over Breslin's bed and let only one word slip out of her mouth. “Why.”
“Because, I'm an idiot.”
Daisy popped Breslin in his arm.
“Ouch.” He winched.
“Are you crazy, he could have killed you?”
“Maybe, but I wasn't going to let him talk to you like that.”
“Well,” Daisy said as she pulled up a chair next to him. “What now.”
“What do you mean, I’m going to walk this off and in a few weeks I’ll be good as new.”
As the room grew quiet again, Daisy knew it was the right time to speak up.
“Breslin listen, about Jack...”
“Don't worry about it.”
“Seriously.”
“I don't want to know. Everyone has a past, who says it has to affect our future.”
And in that moment, Daisy smiled. Not because Breslin looked adorably helpless while lying in his hospital gown. Not because he was telling her everything she wanted to hear. But for the simple fact that at this moment, she knew they were going to be ok.
Leaning in, she kissed him softly. And he returned while by pushing he hair back softly.
Bright Side
“This could be a ship wreak on the shore, or we could sail away…”
Sink or Swim by Tyrone Wells
Breslin Darcy Eliot stood in the mirror the hung from the inside of his bedroom door. In two months, a lot of things have changed. He’s gotten taller, bolder, and some would even argue wiser. Breslin has made great friends, found someone who likes him for him, and stood up to a guy twice his size. But some things never change, like the sound of Breslin’s front door.
As the door gave way to the sunlight outside, Avalon Clark’s smile faded into view.
“Slugbug” she screamed as she slammed her left fist into Breslin’s right shoulder.
“Ouch Ava.” Breslin said as he rubbed his shoulder. It will still sore from being dropped on the ground.
“I’m so sorry, I’m such a spaz.” She said as she playfully rubbed Breslin’s shoulder “So are you ready to go back to the grind?”
“I’m not sure yet. I loved sitting at home.”
“Oh well,” Ava said as she turned around and headed to her car. “Let’s go!”
As Breslin stepped out of the door, he was greeted with Rory’s friendly face.
“Where’s mom?” Rory asked as he was about to pass him.
“Kitchen.” Breslin replied while pointing
“Hey, have a nice day at school.”
Breslin smiled, “Will do.”
“Hurry up!” Avalon screamed from her yellow beetle.
As Breslin sat in the car, he picked up his notebook.
“Writing?” Ava asked as she pulled off.
“Yea, a short story. I think I’m going to call it, a dream of reality.”
Ava burst into a fit of laughter at the idea.
“Hey I’m working on it.” Breslin defended
“Come on Bre-Bre, this book isn’t going to write itself” Ava rebutted
Breslin chuckled a little bit, in the last couple of months; he probably had enough stories to fill a book. But he wanted to expand. So many problems left unsolved, so many emotions left untouched. And he wanted to write them all.
Moments later, Avalon’s car came to a screeching halt in front of Clearveil Academy’s newly renovated building. While stepping out of the car, Breslin straightened his shirt and waited for Avalon to follow suit.
“We don’t have all day ya know.” He said as he started to slowly tap his foot.
A paper ball went flying in his direction.
“Well if it isn’t broody, heard you got into a fight? Care to tell Whisper all the details?” Eric asked with a smile on his face.
“Leave him alone.” Dex said as he stepped up to Breslin. “You’re tougher than you look.”
“Seriously, what’s broody?” Conner asked.
Past the three of them he could see Jade, standing next to Daisy. And at the current moment, he didn’t know what the future held, but he wasn’t scared to find out.
“You know, you haven’t changed.” Avalon said as she stepped up next to him. Her smile was the best of them all.
“I know.” Breslin replied. “I know.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Bronsen Hawkins was born in New Orleans, Louisiana. By way of Hurricane Katrina, he moved to Arlington, Texas when he was 13. Since 5th grade, Bronsen has been writing both poems and stories. His first book, "Surviving: High School," was recently released onto the kindle market. Bronsen feels that everyone has a unique story, not for themselves, but to help someone else.
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