The Exchange Student

When I opened my eyes to get my bearings, I saw white.

White walls, that is.

I tried to remember what happened, then I remembered instantly:

I ran back inside because I couldn't see Ishani anywhere.

Not realizing that the building was on fire, I found Ishani in a spare dressing room, and was racing back to go outside.

Out of no-where, a burning beam struck me in the back, and--

My eyes widen at that point.

I was in the hospital.

"Oh my gosh, you're awake!"

I looked to my left to see Ishani peering over me, with a tear-streaked face.

"Hey, Princess." I said, my voice sounding raspy.

"You slept for two days. Doctors thought you might have been in a coma or something." Ishani explained, and I bit my lower lip.

"Really?" I asked, and Ishani nodded.

"Joe, that was really lame. Sweet, but lame."

Me and Ishani turned around to find Alysa, Kevin, and Nick entering the room.

"Where's Christina and Danielle?" I asked, and Nick looked at me.

"At the bus. They didn't want to come with."

Alysa shook her head at me.

"Like I said: sweet, but lame."

I glanced at her.

"Hey, you would have done the same thing if it was me!" I replied, and I winced when my back hurt.

Kevin looked at me.

"I called Mom and Dad. They should be here soon."

I gazed at the bed sheets.

I didn't want them to cancel the tour because of me:

But, I did it because of Ishani.

When Alysa, Kevin, and Nick left, Ishani looked at me again.

"If I didn't run in to get that dumb jacket, you wouldn't be in here."

I gave her a smile.

"Don't beat yourself over it. It was me. We have to watch out for everyone who comes with us on tour." I assured her, and Ishani shook her head sadly.

"I'd hate for you guys to cancel the tour because of me."

I reached out for her hand, and took it.

"If they did, it'd only for until I got better. Kevin and Nick can't do a two-man show. Besides, if they were told too, they wouldn't. They wouldn't do the show without me."

I'd wish Ishani would stop saying it was her fault.

"Joey! I'm so glad you're okay!"

Greta came running into the room, practically knocking Ishani to the floor.

Ishani got up, and she glared at Greta.

But, Greta didn't notice the looks she got from Ishani.

"I thought you were dead!" Greta told me, and I gave her a smile.

"Maybe." I replied, and Greta stepped back, and glanced at Ishani.

"You almost killed Joe!" she accused, and Ishani's eyes went wide.

"I didn't!" she stated, and Greta frowned.

"If you didn't run in to get your stupid jacket, Joe wouldn't be in the hospital!"

I watched as Ishani's eyes began to water.

I glanced over at Greta.

"Hey, Greta: back off, okay? It was my fault." I said, but Ishani turned to look at me.

"No, she's right....it's my fault."

I watched as Ishani walked out of the room, and I looked back at Greta.

Greta felt my eyes on her, and Greta turned around.

"You don't need her, Joe. You have other girls to choose from. Like me." Greta commented, and I frowned.

"What if I said I did? She's part of our family, Greta, and I need to watch out for her."

"Yeah, but she almost killed you!" Greta protested, and I sighed.

"Yeah, well, it's better if it's me than her." I replied, and Greta huffed, and walked out of the room.

Mom, Dad, and Frankie came in later, and at first, Mom was mad, but she was surprised when I told her the story.

"Joe, while I respected what you did, you could have easily hurted yourself and Ishani." Mom explained, and I shook my head.

"You told us to watch out for other people, right? That's what I did."

Mom shook her head.

"Joseph, what am I going to do with you?"

"I bet it was cool. Was it cool?" Frankie asked, and I smiled.

"Yes, Frankie. It was cool." I replied, and Frankie grinned.

"Awesome."

"Awesome or not, we need to call off the tour, and have you come home." Dad stated, and I looked at him.

I then looked at Mom.

"Will Ishani have to go home?" I asked.

Mom and Dad looked at each other before looking at me.

"Maybe....we'll leave that up to her, okay?" Mom asked, and I nodded.

"Sure." I said.

The fact was, I didn't care what Greta said, or the fact that she almost killed me.

Because I know one thing was for certain:

I loved her.