The next morning when Jackson picked me up, I was so excited to have the day with him.
"Why didn't you go to the party last night?" I asked while we were on our way to the trampoline park.
"Uh, I don't know. I just wasn't in the mood for it I guess." He shrugged and I saw his eyes flash with an unfamiliar emotion before he turned to me. He smiled and looked at my messy bun. "You look pretty today."
"Thank you." I grinned. My stomach fluttered at his compliment. "I'm excited to spend the day with you. I'm going to your game tonight too."
"Me too." He responded but ignored the part about his game. "We're here."
I grinned as we walked inside. I love doing things like this with him where we can really have fun and focus on each other.
I looked back and he was texting someone, so I went up to the counter and got our tickets. The man handed me two bright neon wristbands and two pairs of neon pink and yellow socks.
I walked back over to Jackson and he was smiling and texting again on his phone.
His smile made me smile. "What?" I asked.
His eyes snapped up to me and he shoved his phone in his pocket, his smile fading. "Oh, nothing I was texting Grant."
"Oh." I said, putting my socks on. Jackson did the same and we put all of our stuff in a locker.
After only about 30 minutes of jumping Jackson started to wheeze and cough. He sat down on the bench and my brows furrowed. He was breathing super hard and he seemed like he couldn't control it. "What's wrong?"
He shook his head and coughed harder. His face was starting to turn red and he looked panicked. "Jackson, Cmon. Let's go." I grabbed his arm and he stood up, following me right out the door into the car.
I drove to the emergency room which was only 10 minutes away and Jackson was still coughing. I brought him in and the nurses took him right away, telling me I couldn't come with.
I sat in the waiting room for almost three hours before a nurse came out to talk to me. "I'm sorry honey, I think it's best if you just go home for the night. You can come back tomorrow because we will most likely keep him overnight. We have many more tests to do."
"Okay." My heart twisted. I felt like this was my fault for suggesting we go to the trampoline park. "Let me know if anything changes or if you find out anything."
"I will, hon. Thank you." She walked away and I took a deep breath. I drove home in silence and when I got there I layed in bed, watching tiktoks.
Suddenly my phone rang and I expected it to be the hospital but it was Caitlyn.
"Hazel!!"
"What?"
"Meet at my house before the game, let's get ready together. Grace is coming too and a few other people. Bring Jackson."
"Shit, I'm sorry Cait. I forgot to tell you. Jackson is in the hospital."
"What?!" For a moment she was silent and I heard the muffled noise of her repeating it to whoever was in the room with her. "What happened?"
"I don't know, we were at the trampoline park and all of the sudden he was having trouble breathing. He was coughing and he seemed really bad. I don't know. It's scary." I tell her.
"Jesus. Well is he gonna play tonight?"
"No. I doubt it. They said they are keeping him overnight for testing."
"Wow, okay. Are you still coming to the game? Please. It'll get your mind off it." She begs.
"Sure." I shrug my shoulders although she can't see me. "I don't have anything else to do."
"Great. See you in about an hour?" She suggests and I laugh.
"Yes, Cait. I'll pick up Grace so we can carpool too."
"Yay! Love you Haze."
"Love you." I hang up and sigh. My bed is so comfortable right now.
"Ughhh." I groan out loud and force myself out of bed. The theme for tonight was our school colors so I pull out my "Stars Football" hoodie and my black ripped jeans that make my butt look super good. I got them at goodwill for $5 which was a great deal since they are American Eagle.
I decide on my blue converse and a blue bow for my hair. I walk into the bathroom and glance at myself in the mirror. I just showered this morning but my hair looks crazy. After running a brush through it I decide I will probably curl it. I throw my curling iron into the already heaping bag of stuff along with my face paint and face gems. Caitlyn better tell me if my face paint is smudged this time.
By the time I eat a turkey sandwich and pull my hair into a messy bun it's time to leave. I text Grace that I will pick her up on the way. Suddenly I remember the truth or dare for tonight. Fuck.
I run back into the house and grab the blue star face paint stick and make a face. I completely forgot with todays events.
The second I picked up Grace she was ranting about how her work crush simply would not acknowledge her today and that it was the most annoying thing.
"Literally, I'm telling you Hazel he just does it because he likes me too. He's playing hard to get."
"Okay, Grace. I'm sure." I stifle a laugh and she glares at me. "Seriously though, what if he has a girlfriend?"
"Shut up."
I burst into laughter and she crosses her arms in the passenger seat. "Thank god we're here I can't stand being in the car another second with you."
"Whatever." I smile and roll my eyes.
I grab my bag of stuff and lock the car door.
I walk inside Caitlyn's house and immediately hear him. God, does he need to be everywhere I am?
"Let's go to Cait's room and get ready." Grace squeals and I laugh.
"Okay let me get Cait though." I request and I head into the living room where everyone is sitting. Everyone is ready already, even Cait has her hair straightened at least and suddenly I feel out of place with my sweatpants, crewneck and messy bun. I fidget with my pinky ring when everyone turns to glance at me. "Cait." I say, knowing she knows what I mean. I briefly lock eyes with Marco and he's staring at my outfit. I didn't think it was that bad but now I'm second guessing myself. He isn't involved in the conversation happening between his friends sitting next to him.
Cait groans and climbs off Carlos' lap. She kisses him on the cheek and walks out with me.
"I'm so excited for tonight's game you guys. Plus all the guys are gonna get ready here."
Caitlyn lived literally right next to our school's football field which made getting ready at her house undeniable. All we had to do was walk out of the house and to the field when we were ready.
It only took us an hour to get ready.. that was pretty much record time for Grace. I made sure I had the blue star face paint in my pocket. This was gonna be an interesting night.
