Please

I looked up at the impending stars, watching some wink out for a moment behind a cloud, and wondered at what he had said so long ago. It still rang in my head, and it took me by surprise that I felt a familiar roll in the pit of my stomach and a throb in my head when I thought his name.1

Why was I out here? I sighed, but the thought wasn’t enough to pull me back inside the warm cozy house behind me. Even the cold wind that penetrated my thin windbreaker did nothing to make me leave.2

It shouldn’t still hurt. Wasn’t it supposed to fly away on silver wings into the night? But the stubborn pain was still there, still stabbing. The only wings I felt were like daggers to my head.3

“Maria!” My gaze moved ghostlike away from the heavens to lit upon my mother. She stood in the doorway, framed by the kitchen light that served as her halo. She was a angel at cooking. “Maria, could you take out the trash? I’m cooking dinner right now and don’t want it to burn.”4

I trudged inside, ignoring my mother’s face when she shook her head and turned back inside. I grabbed the black garbage bag from its post in the trash bin in the corner. Hitching it over my shoulder, I walked back outside and down the driveway. My thoughts couldn’t focus though. They kept bouncing back to the last time we had met, him standing in the hallway at school with my books in his arms. 5

I shook my head but couldn’t rid myself of the image. It was pinned to the bulletin board of my mind, brightly colored and never missed. 6

There was a sound from the corner of the building across the street. I dropped the bag, not minding as it fell over and spilled its contents onto the road, and stepped off the curb to get a better view.7

I heard shouting, low and loud in the crisp air and backed up. It was slightly familiar. The feel of the sidewalk back under my feet felt more solid than the blackened street.8

The incomprehensible shouting came again, more agitated this time, like a swarm of yellow jackets. I knew I should have just turned to go in, turned a blind eye and retreated. Everyone did in Chicago, at least in this neighborhood. I was smart enough to know that the shouting meant business, lethal business. But my feet had melted to the ground, my eyes trained on the corner. I was writing what could been my own death sentence, but for a moment I didn’t care.9

Shuffled footsteps and a young man rushed from the side of the building full speed. As he ran toward me unseeing, I thought he looked vaguely familiar. No name magically appeared in my head though. He was breathing hard and it looked like his shirt had been torn; it was hard to tell in the dark. Instead of turning down the road like I thought he was going to, he stumbled mid-stride. He was about ten feet from me, near the middle of the road.10

A flashlight came from around the corner now, with a bright beam that seemed like a headlight, and the boy on his hands and knees cursed, rather creatively, and launched himself onto his feet like a panther. He looked at me on the sidewalk, noticing me for the fist time.11

“Run!” The voice was rough and out of breath, repeating what was going through my mind. He glanced back as his pursuers rounded the corner. My feet wouldn’t obey, glued solid to the sidewalk. My eyes stayed on the men coming from behind the building. 12

Why wasn’t I moving? My legs wouldn’t give and already the men were on the opposite sidewalk, blinding me with their flashlights.13

The boy in front of me grabbed my arm when they got closer and yanked me out into the street. Then he started at an all out run down the road, dragging me with him. My senses came back to me and I whipped my arm free. I started running as well before I could fall behind. I was pretty sure they wouldn’t pass me up. They probably thought the boy beside me told me something secret. It was the only reason I could find when I heard them shout, “Get them!” instead of just him. 14

My breathing came out in white clouds, floating up and obscuring my vision like fog. My calves began to ache while my head pounded with questions. I didn’t look back. I wasn’t sure if had really seen who I saw. The thought was inconceivable. I told myself it was nerves. I was just thinking to hard, that’s all. I didn’t really see in the midst of that group him. Those faces of the night were nothing like his.15

I looked over at my companion and saw he was grimacing against some pain, breathe seething though his clenched teeth. Yet he kept up with me.16

We dodged into the alley after a sharp corner, our hearts pounding. Further in I spotted a wide dark doorway big enough to hide in. I grabbed the boy’s free arm, his other one I just noticed was holding his side, his hand stained. I tugged us both into the shadows and pressed us back against the door frame. I held a hand over his harshly breathing mouth to muffle the sound and cringed back, holding my own breath though my lungs burned as though they were in hell, and watched the men rush by, paying no heed to a single, dark doorway on a little-used alley. 17

As soon as they had passed and were at the far end, I released my hand and gasped for breath which seared my lungs. The boy groaned and edged away, letting his head fall back.18

I looked over at him. Darkish blonde, I think, and the face was familiar… Then it clicked in, like the final piece of a puzzle. Aiden Brown. His family had just moved in about a week ago in a vacant house on near the intersection, I believe from Baltimore. He had started school at my high school a few days ago. 19

“Aiden?” I asked in disbelief.20

He turned and nodded, pushing into his side.21

“How bad is it?” I leaned over him but he turned away. 22

“Bad enough.” That was all. It came in a harsh whisper. Still, I saw the stains on his hand get bigger and looked him in the face.23

“A knife fight?” I asked, thinking of what could happen in one.24

He shook his head and peered into the street to make sure that no one had returned. “I was walking down the street and they jumped me. Dragged me into a side-street with a knife to my side.”25

“I’m guessing you did something you weren’t supposed to?” I didn’t press on why they had dragged him off. I had a pretty good idea he had overheard something he shouldn’t have. But curiosity bubbled up in my throat nonetheless. “Do you need to go to the hospital?”26

He stubbornly shook his head and tried to sit up straighter in an effort to prove himself. He succeeded in hissing with pain and curling around the wound once more. Then he fainted.27

I sat, unbelieving. I’d never seen someone faint before except on television. There was no hand to the forehead. He just groaned, blinked, and blacked out, falling halfway into the street. I scrambled up to help, nervous that I might have done something wrong. I stepped out onto the street to pull him back in case the gang came back. 28

Big mistake. At the end of the alley were four guys, dark in the shadows, talking in whispered tones. They turned the instant I stepped out of the doorway, surprised as I was. They walked forward.29

I dropped to my knees, slapping Aiden’s cheek to get him conscious to no avail. I looked up into the eyes of Peter.30

My heart flipped in my chest and a tight feeling rose in my throat, choking me like a noose. My mouth gaped open and tears started to fall down my face. My mind went back to that time four months ago.31

“I have to leave.”32

“What?” I shut my locker door and turn to him.33

“I’m leaving.” Peter had a frown on his face.34

“Well, I’ve gotten most of what I need to take home.” I look at him and see that his bag is bulging with stuff. I frown as well. “Is your locker busted up or something?”35

A sad look comes to his eyes. “I’m leaving,” he says again like a broken record.36

“Isn’t practice starting soon?” Peter was on the football team but I didn’t see a gym bag on his shoulder.37

“I have to go.” He looks down at his feet. “I can’t stay here.”38

“What do you mean? Peter?” My lower lip trembles at what he was going to say next. Was he moving?39

“My house isn’t the best of places.” I knew this. I’ve visited him so times, but most of the time he came to my house. His father was a drunkard, his mother divorced and living in Hollywood or something. He had two younger brothers that made life hell and their home was ratty in a way. It had been more than his mother had gotten over the settlement so he lived with his father. “I’ve been sleeping in the school for the past few days.”40

“What?” It seems to be the only word that would get out through my closed throat. My eyes start to tear up and I look up for a hint that he was joking.41

“I can’t stay here anymore. I’m sorry. I just wanted to say good-bye.”42

“Why can’t you live with us?” I can’t believe my voice sounded so pathetic. I can’t believe this is happening. “What about us?”43

He gives a short laugh that sounds more like nerves. “That’s why I’m here. We…can’t be together anymore. I just… it just wouldn’t work.”44

“But I love you. You know I do. I wouldn’t care if you had to run away from home. I’d help you.”45

He frowns again. “Running away? Nah, I wish I could. My father lost the house playing poker. Gambled it all away while he drowned in scotch. I have no home to run away from.”46

He turns away to leave but I pull on his arm. “Please…” Just that, that’s all that will come out past the lump in my throat, more of hiss than a word…47

“Please, Peter.” I begged and sobbed through my tears just those two words like I had four months ago. Then I looked down. “He needs a doctor. He won’t tell anything, I promise. Just, please Peter, help me.” 48

I looked up again and Peter couldn’t meet my eyes. He looked over his shoulder to the other members and then back at me, kneeling in the dirty street, my hair a mess and my hand holding up Aiden’s head. Then he turned and walked back.49

I saw him arguing with the other guys, like a swarm of buzzards after a find, their arms flinging all over the place to emphasize their words. Then Peter came back. “We’ll carry him to the door, no further. And you have to swear not to tell. We’ll visit him later to make sure he swears too.”50

I nodded and stood up. I put my hand out and he took it. I said an oath I made up and didn’t bother to remember afterwards. “We’ll check up, to make sure your quiet.” He motioned and the other three boys, for they were only fifteen or so by the looks of them, came forward and hauled Aiden up in their arms. 51

I didn’t pay much attention to the trip to the hospital. By the time they laid him down inside the door of the waiting room in the emergency ward (I had talked them into going inside the door instead of on the street) I had pretty much thought of a cover story for Aiden’s condition and my absence.52

The attendants at the front desk looked up when the door was opened but said nothing as the gang left I walked forward, glancing back at Aiden’s slumped form. I approached the desk.53

“My friend needs immediate care. He’s suffering from blood-loss and over-exhaustion. Can I get him in?” My voice was calm but my hands, down by my sides where they wouldn’t be seen, were shaking. I didn’t like hospitals.54

“His name?” the nurse asked in a bored tone.55

“Aiden Brown.”56

“Is he covered by health insurance?” The woman was grabbing together different papers and stacking them onto a clipboard. 57

“I’m pretty sure. We’re from Linden Lane a few blocks from here.” The woman was nodding as she past over the clipboard. I took one look at it and handed it back. “I’m not related. I live down the street and they just moved in.”58

“Has he got any parents at home now?” She looked over at Aiden, taking in his rumpled appearance and probably noticing his polo shirt.59

“I believe so. I don’t know their number though.”60

The woman nodded. “I’ll call him in at the police station. They should have a record. Just sit down and we’ll reel him in.” She picked up a walkie-talkie as I went back to Aiden.61

After calling my mother and explaining where I was, I waited next to him on the floor, watching the people go by, inspecting his cut. It was deep but the blood had finally caked around the shirt and had stopped bleeding by the time a bed was reeled in. They took him off and I watched after.62

Soon after his parents arrived. They looked around the waiting room, confused. I stepped forward and introduced myself. At their worried faces I told my lie. I could see their relief when I told them he should be fine. They gratefully came up the front desk and spent the time filling out papers. I sat near them and watched the television, though I couldn’t pay attention. My mind kept straying to Aiden.63

I walked through the halls the next day at school in a cloud. Aiden had come through fine and was released this morning. My eyes were black-rimmed from spending the night in the waiting room. I’d left as soon as word of his release was brought.64

“Maria! ” I turned and saw Aiden walking down the hall toward me. He smiled and for some odd reason I felt a familiar flutter in my stomach. He stopped before me and stretched out a wrapped box tied with a ribbon. “I, and my parents, wanted to thank you.” He stumbled a little and looked a little nervous. I took the box.65

Inside was a necklace, gold with a diamond pendent of a heart. I blushed and closed the lid. “This is too much. I—”66

“Take it. You saved my life.” He shoved it back into my hands and I looked at him, perplexed.67

“Thanks but—”68

“Please. You deserve it.” He stepped back. “I was wondering also if…” He stopped and blushed, looking down.69

“Yes?” I had a confused feeling, something that didn’t happen often.70

“What are you doing Saturday night?”71

“Nothing big. Why?”72

“Do you like the movies? I’m planning to go and—”73

“I’d love to.” I smiled and looked into his face. “You owe me one.” We walked down the halls laughing.74