2 First meet

My heart was beating so hard that I thought it was going to burst out of my chest. My mind was spinning. I don't even know how I made that jump because I can't even feel my left leg, but my eyes kept following the ball as it soared towards the basket, making an arc from the three-point line. Everything was in slow motion until it went through the hoop. "Beeeeeeee," I think that was the referee's whistle. I looked at the scoreboard. Haaa… we won, and then everything went dark. When I woke up, I was still dizzy. I looked around and found myself in a hospital room with white walls, a curtain hanging from the ceiling to the floor in the same pale color as the walls. I could feel the slightly uncomfortable mattress rubbing against my back. The smell of disinfectant helped me wake up faster. With my vision clearing up, I noticed a beige leather sofa against the wall on the right and, in front of me, a turned-off television. The dark screen reflected my completely confused face. I came back to my senses when I heard someone talking outside the room.

"The surgery was a great success, but he'll need to take a break from any physical activity. He suffered a muscle injury in his left calf, which we believe was caused by the impact when he landed after the jump. He'll need to undergo physical therapy. We have a team here at the hospital if you'd prefer, Mrs. Ellen."

"I appreciate it, but there's a medical team at the boarding school as well. He can do physical therapy there while he studies."

"Okay, then. If you'll excuse me, Mrs. Ellen, I need to check on other patients."

"Yes, you may go, doctor."

I hear my mother's voice, so I already know I'll receive more criticism and open contempt. But I still hold on to a small hope that she might show at least a little concern. I hear the door open. My heart starts racing uncontrollably as I see my mother enter. Those eyes that have always been indifferent now show a hint of anger, how ironic. I never thought that would be the first emotion she'd show me in my entire life.

"So you're awake. Great. When will you stop giving me problems? Why can't you be like your brother? Honestly, such a waste of an egg."

*Dring dring*

"Hello, okay, I'm on my way," *she hangs up the phone*.

"You'll stay here until you can walk. Try not to embarrass me while you're here. Ugh, what a useless boy."

*Dring dring dring*

"I said I'm on my way."

That's when I realized it will always be insufficient. Seeing her look at me like I was useless felt like something broke inside me, and watching her leave without any hesitation killed me inside. She's right; it would be better to give up, after all, someone as useless as me doesn't deserve to live...

"Sorry, I didn't mean to spy on you."

Who? Was someone else here? Where?

"It's just that my dad came looking for me in the hospital, and I ran away from my room. It's the third one on the right, and since I saw yours was open, I ended up coming in…"

That's when I saw someone coming out of the bathroom in the room. He was so handsome but all bruised up. But I just wanted to be alone at that moment, after all, loneliness has always been my only companion anyway.

"It doesn't matter, you can leave now."

"Ah… um… okay…"

I watched as he headed towards the door. He walked so gracefully, like a model, with his back straight and head held high. His arms were elegant and moved smoothly, his hair reaching down his back. When he got to the door, I finally thought I could cry alone.

"By the way," he said, turning around, "I heard from the doctors that you got injured when you won the state basketball championship, so… I don't think you're useless… I think you were amazing, and… uh… congratulations."

When I saw him smiling and saying that to me, I was speechless. It wasn't until I heard the door close that I realized I was crying, but not out of sadness. It was different; I felt warmth in my chest. It was the first time someone had said something like that to me.

I guess I don't need to give up just yet.

I whispered as my mind slowly faded away.