its danny
Grabbing a pillow, he gently tucked it under Ana’s head, fully aware of the futility of the gesture. She didn’t even know he was there.
He stroked her forehead softly. She felt cold and clammy despite the heat. He knew this. They’d been here before. The green hospital corridor. The red plastic chairs. Sitting together, waiting. She hadn’t spoken then; she wouldn’t speak now.
Her breathing was shallow and fast, her fists clenched, just like last time; after the doors from surgery swung open, after the doctor walked over and asked if Danny’s mother had arrived yet, after she took Ana’s hand and said she was very sorry.
Ana had gone to the same dark place, beyond his reach, beyond anyone’s reach. There was nothing he could do then—or now.
Alex just had to be there and wait.
As long as she needed. He would wait.
31
Ana
One Year Ago
Ana sat on the top row of the bleachers and sighed.
Damn Danny. He’d disappeared the second they arrived so he could chase after his latest conquest—Isaiah, the ridiculously hot, absurdly tall center from the junior varsity team.
She was only here because of Danny. One of his many friends had promised to drive them both home after the game, so she’d reluctantly stuck around, hoping to avoid an hour-long bus ride. Bad idea. She’d be lucky to be home before midnight at this rate.
“No! I think Ellis is losing it,” Alex said. “He just took number nine down. That’s a foul, for sure.” Alex had stayed to keep her company, probably out of kindness. She wasn’t much fun to watch a game with—she knew little and cared less about sports.
Sneaking a sideways look at Alex, she smiled to herself. He was wearing his little-boy-on-game-day face—a slight frown, intenseconcentration in his big brown eyes. There wasn’t a sporty bone in Alex’s body, but he loved basketball. He was a Lakers fan for life. That was how he’d bonded with Danny when they first met in elementary school, over ice cream and a shared love for LeBron.
The ref was shouting something about technicals. Ellis Locke, the point guard, was standing on the sidelines in his Wolves jersey, frustration pouring off him like sweat. His team were still down. Ellis’s minions of the day were jumping up and down in the front row, chanting, “Ref, you suck; ref, you suck!” Ana recognized Jade Clark and a handful of other beautiful people, heckling anyone who moved into their orbit. Jax Patel was zooming around them, filming the game over his shoulder, smiling for his invisible fans.
Maybe she should just go.
It wasn’t like she’d be missed. She glanced at the door at the back of the gym where Danny had disappeared half an hour ago, heading to the locker room. He wouldn’t be back anytime soon, not if Isaiah had anything to do with it. Her one unsporty ally, Raya, had ditched her halfway through the first quarter and was probably smoking weed in Caden Loftus’s Candyvan. And though he’d never admit it, Alex would enjoy the game a lot more without having to babysit her.
No, it was time to cut her losses and catch the bus home. Taking out her phone, she shot Danny a quick text.
“Hey, I’m just going to the bathroom.” Alex stood up. “I don’t want to miss the end of the quarter. This game’s brutal.” He paused, focusing on her for a moment. “You hungry? Want me to pick up a hot dog or something on my way back?”
He would make someone a really great boyfriend someday, Ana thought (not for the first time).
“I’m good. Actually, I’m going to head out and catch the bus. I’ve got a stack of homework due,” she added.
“Really? You sure?”
“Yeah.”Be free, she thought.Enjoy the game.
“Okay,” Alex said, putting on a good show of disappointment. “If that’s what you want, I guess. See you tomorrow?” He clambered down the bleachers. The game resumed; there was more shouting, squeaking shoes, and loud cheering. The noises were starting to get to her—chants echoing around the old gym walls, louder and louder.
Throwing her stuff in her backpack, she gave Alex a head start, then climbed down after him, heading for the exit.
Her phone beeped:
Danny:
sorry sis my bad omw
Damn it. Now she wasn’t sure if she should go or wait for Danny. Why did he have to do everything at the last minute? God, he could be annoying!
