by Kelsey Allan

Created on: June 10, 2008   Last Updated: July 29, 2008

April stood alone outside the door, in the cold night air, with the words EMERGENCY ROOM gleaming above. A shadow appeared next to hers, and a voice she recognized accompanied it.

"You ok?" Ryan was whispering, as if she was delicate and prone to breaking when people talked too loudly. April realized for the first time how perfect his voice was, so soft and gentle and comforting.

"Yeah...I'm fine..." she said as she turned to face him; but he stood close, much closer than she'd expected. She stumbled backwards, and Ryan reached out quickly to steady her.

"Whoa," he said, half laughing, half serious. "Be careful."

The warm hand on her bare arm brought April back to reality. She didn't want that, though, and she just watched his chilled breath come out in currents as he asked if she wanted to go home.

"I...can't," she said. "My brother - I can't just leave..." The words were reluctant. Truthfully, she couldn't stand it here. Truthfully, she would have left long ago if she hadn't felt like her parents would be angry with her for leaving. She felt out of place and uncomfortable around all these sick people. Somehow Ryan seemed to see this; he recognized it in her eyes.

"Wait here," he said, turning on his heels and walking back inside. A few minutes later he returned with her purse in his hand. Offering no explanation, Ryan handed her the purse and led her to his car. April knew it well from the outside - she'd only been inside it a couple of times but saw it parked in her driveway almost every day. It was a faded red color, with chipped paint and a couple of dents on the bumper. Inside, there were piles of CDs littering the floor and seats, the labels ranging from classics like The Eagles to obscure modern bands April had only heard of because she had a music crazed brother. Ryan pushed a stack off the passenger seat to accomodate her.

The ride was quiet and too short. Neither one spoke. What could they possibly have to say to each other, anyways? But the silence was far from uncomfortable; it was what they both wanted. April spent the time looking out the window, yet not really seeing anything. She was too busy trying not to think. Much too soon it was time for her to go inside and for Ryan to drive away, leaving her all alone. Again he seemed to see the reluctance. He turned the key in the ignition and shut the car off.

"Do you mind if I come in? I need some company," he said. And at her shy answer, "sure", he got out of the car. They walked inside, each knowing the

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