Overnight, the nurses and doctors had to shoo away Coach Sanders, Landon, Katrina and the rest of the soccer team due to the late night rules. They all reluctantly left but were looking forward to seeing Kaelyn when she was out. Janelle stayed with Kaelyn throughout the night, sleeping in her overnight room.

The next day she was discharged and ready to go. They had her sit in a wheelchair to be wheeled out by Janelle to the car outside. She was told she would have therapy sessions three days a week and Kaelyn agreed to taking a leave of absence from school and soccer and other activities for a week or two just to relax, rest and get her head straight. Kaelyn had agreed to staying with her mother for those weeks.

They walked outside into the bright sun, it was a beautiful warm day with very few clouds. Janelle smiled as she brought Kaelyn to the car.

“Finally clearing up a bit.” She said.

“Yeah. Kinda got tired of all the rain.” Kaelyn replied. A silence grew between them.

“Mom?” Kaelyn spoke. Janelle looked up to her surprised. It was the first time Kaelyn had called her Mom in several years. 

“What is it, baby?”

“I’m sorry for being so hard on you and pushing you away… I don’t want us to be like that. I don’t want things to be like they were when you left.”

Janelle started tearing up and hugged her. “Oh Kaelyn, I’m sorry too. I understand, and I promise I will be better. WE will be better.”

“I hope so…” Kaelyn said, hugging her back.

Janelle opened the front door and helped Kaelyn in before getting into the driver’s side. 

Just as Ms. Skye was helping Kaelyn into the car, Landon was walking up to the hospital’s main doors from the parking lot. He was tired and hated waking up this early, but he wanted to make sure Kaelyn was still okay.

“Kaelyn!” he called out when he saw her. “Wait up a sec!” He ran forward toward the car and stood outside the window.

Kaelyn whipped her head to the side as she heard Landon’s voice call out to her. She was a bit surprised to see him here and up so early. As he came closer, Kaelyn rolled the window down to speak.

“You’re up early. I’m impressed.” She said.

Landon smiled, slightly out of breath. “I know,” he said. “I chugged a coffee to get some energy. Are you okay?”

She laughed and nodded. “Yeah, I’m fine. Still feel a little weak but I just need some time, ya know? That’s why I’m moving in with my mom for a few weeks before I come back here.”

Landon frowned but then nodded in return. He understood why she would be taking a momentary break from everything. She needed it. “Look, Kaelyn…” he said, looking down. “I’m… sorry.”

Kaelyn frowned when he seemed upset and looked down. “Why are you saying sorry? I should be saying it. And I should be thanking you for saving my life.”

“I hardly saved your life,” he said modestly. “I’m the one who put you in that position.”

“You idiot…” She smiled. “If you hadn’t gotten there, I’d be dead. And you did not put me in that position. I did it myself. Okay? My problems, present and past… They aren’t your fault. They were out of your control.”

Landon understood what she meant, but he couldn’t help but feel even a little guilt about what had happened. Her destructive behavior wasn’t something he was unfamiliar with. Her getting sick at Justin’s party was a perfect example. Maybe he should have seen this coming.

“Don’t scare me like that again,” he said. He was smiling, but it was obvious that he was serious. He’d never forget that night.

Kaelyn nodded, seeing through the smile, noticing the seriousness in his eyes. 

“I’d say don’t worry about me, but you would anyway,” she laughed slightly, “But I promise I won’t put you through that again. I swear I didn’t mean for that to happen…” Kaelyn finished looking down, wanting everyone to understand it wasn’t a suicide attempt, but knowing people would talk and speculate.

“I’ll hold you to that promise, but I can’t promise I won’t worry,” he said. “And it’s okay. I’m just glad you pulled through it.” He smiled.

“I’m happy too. So… I’ll see you in a few weeks then. I’ll be a lot better then, and you have to fix things up with Katrina. And when I’m back I have to just… I don’t know. Get my life back on track I guess.”

Landon’s stomach turned into a knot. “About that…” he said, his voice faltering. Last night, it seemed like Katrina had forgiven him, at least a little. He still didn’t know who he wanted to choose. Why did he have to? “I can’t promise… I’ll make the right decision,” he said flatly.

Kaelyn looked at him weirdly but just ignored the thought passing through her mind. Landon was always strange.

“Well, you love her so… I’m sure you will make the right decision. That’s just kinda how you are. Always being right all the time even when it’s annoying.”

Landon shook his head. “I don’t love her,” he said. “I don’t know who I love, if anyone.” He sighed and rubbed some sand out of his eyes that still lingered from when he woke up.

“I care about you both,” he admitted. “A lot. I don’t know what I’d do without either of you.”

It took her off guard that he said he didn’t love her. But, his confusion was understandable she thought. She laughed at what he had said.

“Yeah, you’d be out acting like an idiot. That’s for sure.” She smiled but then looked into his eyes, thinking deeply. A short silence.

“Landon, I…” She started, but then stopped herself.

“I’ll see you when I get back, okay?”

Landon raised an eyebrow at her hesitation but didn’t think too much about it. He didn’t know why, but he couldn’t help but feeling like he wouldn’t see her again for a long time.

“Stay safe,” was all he could think to say. He followed it up with a subtle wink.

Kaelyn looked at him for a second, but she couldn’t leave just yet. She jumped out of the car and hugged him tightly.

Slowly loosening her embrace, she kissed him softly and quickly on the lips.

“Wait up for me, okay?”

Landon stared at her, not knowing how to respond. His lips tingled slightly. “Why did you…?” was all he managed to get out.

Kaelyn put a finger on his lips and shook her head. “I wanted to. Don’t think about it too much. Just my way of saying goodbye and thank you, for now.” She gave him a soft smile, one much like her smiles watching sunsets at camp.

At first Landon didn’t return the smile, but then he finally gave her one in return, understanding that she was right in telling him not to overthink it. He hadn’t seen her smile like that since the summer. It was comforting.

“Goodbye…” he said. “And, you’re welcome. See you when you get home.”

She nodded. “Goodbye…”

Kaelyn slowly pried herself away from Landon and went into the car. She didn’t want to leave, but she had to. For now. Her mother started the car and said thank you to Landon as well while slowly pulling out of the lot.

As they drove off into the distance, Kaelyn waved to Landon.