"Do you want to play a hundred questions?" I asked trying to brake the eerie silence between us.
"What's that?"
"It's a game that my friend and I made up."
"Helpful." Hayes said sarcastically.
"Wasn't done. Anyways we take turns asking questions about the other person to get to know them better."
"Proves my point that you're creepy."
"Fine. We don't have to play. Just trying to make things less awkward."
"Fine... I'll play... Since you're begging."
I rolled my eyes, "Me first. Favorite color?"
"Orange and blue. What's your favorite song?"
"A little too much by Shawn Mendes."
"I friends with him." Hayes said simply as if it was no big deal.
"Nuh uh!"
"Yuh huh. Sorry to disappoint, but he's got this gorgeous girlfriend."
"Bummer."
"Right? It's your turn."
"Favorite number?"
"Five. Favorite food?"
"Going straight to the difficult ones are we?"
"That's not an answer."
"Gosh. Grump. Pesto cavattapi."
"What's that?"
"It's an Italian dish my mom makes. What's your favorite sport?"
"Assuming I like sports now are we?"
"You have an athletic build." I defended.
"Football and Lacrosse. Favorite superhero?"
"Batman, duh. Where are you from?"
"Mooresville, North Carolina. Birthday?"
"March twenty second."
"I'm older than you." Hayes said sounding like my seven year old brother.
"Are you now?"
"Mhmm... by a whole nine months."
"Oh, big difference."
"Nine months is still nine months. We're here."
I turned my head breaking my gaze from Hayes'. He had stopped in front of a screen door with a large Red Cross painted on it. I felt a blast of cold air as Hayes opened the door. I shivered.
"Cold?"
"A little. After all my side is now soaked with your nasty lake water and sweat mixture."
"After we figure out what's wrong with you I'll go get you some dry clothes."
"That might take a while. They've been trying for fourteen years to find what's wrong with me. No success."
"Too bad. Looks like you'll freeze to death."
I shivered again smiling.
"I'll also bring a sweater." Hayes grinned.
"How can I help you?" A woman who looked like she was in her mid twenties asked stepping around the corner.
"She fell down the stairs and twisted her ankle." Hayes nodded toward me.
"Poor dear. Set her down on the chair."
Hayes carefully set me down on one of the hideous plastic chairs that looked like they belonged in a hospital waiting room. My foot bumped the leg of the chair.
"Ow!" I cried trying not to cry.
"Oh my gosh! Angele, I am so sorry." Hayes began apologizing.
"Don't be. It wasn't your fault." I responded through clenched teeth.
"Sweety, I need you to pull up your pant leg." The nurse said.
I rolled up the pant leg. The swelling had gone down a bit, though it still was very purple.
"Sweet heart--"
I interrupted, "Angele." Hayes chuckled.
"Angele, I'll have to do some tests. They'll probably hurt."
"Okay."
The nurse looked up at Hayes, "I'm afraid you'll have to leave."
"But---" Hayes began.
"Hayes, I'll be fine. You wanna go get me some clothes?" I asked my teeth chattering.
"Yeah..." Hayes turned to leave.
"Hey?" I called.
Hayes turned and faced me, "Yes?"
"Don't worry about me. I'm tough." I pretended to flex my nonexistent muscles.
Hayes smiled, "I know you are." He left.
"Is he your boyfriend?" The nurse asked.
"Nope. Just a friend." I blushed.
"He's sweet. Alright for the first test I have to move your ankle."
"Alright." I responded bracing myself for what was to come. The nurse grasped my ankle and carefully turned it in a circle. I cried out in pain.