The Message

She bit her lip as she played the message over for what had to be the tenth time. She couldn’t believe it. She just couldn’t. Just last Christmas he’d flashed her one of his famous grins when he’d come for a surprise visit. Last Christmas… Had it really been a year? Kaya double checked the calendar. It seemed so unrealistic; impossible. He’d always been so full of life. Sure there were times when he’d been a little too serious, but those bouts never lasted long. It was hard to imagine that it could happen to him.1

He’d been her first love. They’d grown up together. He’d always been there. He’d protected her from the mean kids that had at one time picked on her. He was only a year older, but the age difference had never seemed important. At least it hadn’t until junior high. He’d started to fill out. Girls had been all over him. Who could blame them, though? With his blond hair, blue eyes, and soccer star status, he was a dream guy. He never forgot about her friendship, but that was all it had ever been. She’d harbored feelings for him since the day he stood up for her in fifth grade. Even though he was a year older, they were still in the same grade. Something about being held back in kindergarten for causing mischief. Kaya hadn’t been surprised. He’d always been a trouble maker.2

To Kaya, his mischievous personality was part of his charm. She found everything he did charming in some way. She adored his odd little quirks and habits. Yet, that had never seemed to matter to him. He’d never cared that she knew everything about him and there would never have to be any secrets. He’d never cared that she loved everything about him. She’d only ever been the best friend. In her mind, it was because she wasn’t pretty enough. In middle school she’d been so thin and awkward. 3

He’d moved before she changed. He and his parents left Santa Monica for a place in northern California called Stockton. It had been right after 8th grade graduation. She’d finally gotten up the courage to tell him how she felt. Only, he’d then decided to drop the horrible bomb on her that he was moving. He’d come to visit at least once a month every year. Last year he’d even come up for a surprise visit. Last Christmas had been the best one she’d ever had. It had been perfect. Not only was it a white Christmas, but it was a white Christmas spent with her favorite person in the world. To top things off, he’d caught her under the mistletoe. It had been the best kiss she’d ever had. She’d gotten her Christmas wish that year. Him.4

Kaya let the tears flow at the hospital. It was so strange to watch him lay there, pale and helpless. This wasn't the boy she knew and loved. There were scratches and bruises all over his body. His clothing was torn and his pale blond hair was matted and messy. His usually gorgeous torso and abs were stained with blood.5

“What happened?” she asked quietly.6

“He was hit by a car. He was walking home from soccer practice,” His mother replied, her voice shaking.7

“Will he be okay?”8

“If he wakes up. He’s still breathing, but he’s unconscious. We’ll find out in an hour. If he wakes up during this hour, he should be okay. If not….” Her voice trailed off.9

Kaya anxiously toyed with a strand of pale blonde hair. She could only hope that he made it.