The Time in Between: Chapter Three

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Chapter Three (ONE WEEK LATER):

Levi :

It had been one week since the accident. The gash in Levi's side was healing nicely, as was his concussion. He had been sent home from the hospital, and told he could go back to classes as long as he took it easy. But how was he supposed to go back to school and do work when his heart and mind were still in the hospital with Kayleigh?

They had saved her the day that she flat-lined; since then, she had been stable. Her surgeries had gone well, and the doctors were now confident she would survive. But she was still in a coma.

Levi had spent every waking moment in her room while he was at the hospital. No matter how many times the doctors and nurses had emphasized the importance of him getting rest and staying in his room, as soon as Kayleigh was released from the ICU, he was stuck by her side.

Now, however, it was Sunday. Meaning that Levi had no choice but to get back to his classes the next day. Luckily, both he and Kayleigh went to the college located in their hometown, so he wouldn't be too far. But he already knew that while Kayleigh was laying in this hospital, it would be hard for him to concentrate on much of anything else.

Monday morning rolled around; luckily Levi only had one class today. He groggily got up out of bed and swallowed a few pills the doctors had given him to help with the pain. After throwing on some shorts and a shirt, he walked downstairs and grabbed something to eat. His mother was sitting in the living room watching the news.

When he walked by her, she glanced up and mumbled quietly, "How are you feeling?"

"Mom, I'm fine. You don't need to worry about me." Levi barely met her eyes and then walked out. He felt his temper flare. Ever since his dad started beating him, it's like her spirit had broken. She was now the most pathetic excuse of a mother Levi had ever seen.

It tore him up inside to feel that hatred toward her because he knew that his dad beat her as well, behind closed doors. Yet he couldn't help but get mad. When his own mother doesn't even stick up for him when he's getting beaten, there's something wrong.

Even after the crash, when Levi's mother finally arrived at the hospital, she never shed a tear. Yes, she had been worried. Yes, she was upset and grateful that he was alive. He knew that she was, but it killed him that she barely showed it. Her life now consisted of walking around in a depressed daze, trying to stay out of his father's way, and in the process she had basically removed herself from Levi's life as well.

By the time he arrived at school, he had shaken off most of his anger. Now it was replaced with a feeling of dread. He was sure that people had heard about the accident; it had made the news. His city wasn't all that big, and neither was the school, and it didn't take too long for word to get around. The thought of everyone staring and asking questions and trying to offer words of comfort made him cringe.

Besides, all of this just seemed so trivial compared to Kayleigh's situation at the hospital. He knew this fifty minute class was going to feel like centuries.

As he arrived at the classroom and chose a seat in the back, he could already feel the stares. A guy approached him and asked how he was doing.

"I'm alright man, thanks," Levi said nicely but distractedly. His thoughts kept flitting back to Kayleigh, who was not alright. Not by any means. His throat tightened and tears threatened to well up in his eyes.

He felt someone slide smoothly into the seat next to him, and looked up to meet the eyes of a beautiful green-eyed girl with long, flowing blond hair. Oh no, he thought. It was Jordan.

Jordan was a girl he had known since early on in high school. Her father was a lawyer, she was captain of their college volleyball team, and she had everything going for her. Money, looks, and the ability to get any boy that she wanted. Except for Levi.

Levi had never been interested in Jordan. In his eyes, she was the typical snobby, fake, rich brat. All throughout freshman and sophomore year in high school, he had barely given her the time of day. Junior year was when Kayleigh came into the picture. This was also the time when Jordan noticed that Levi was one of the few boys she had not wrapped around her finger. Which of course made her want him all the more.

She threw everything she had into getting him; her flawless body, beautiful looks, rich background. Yet nothing worked. By senior year when she saw that Levi and Kayleigh were lasting, she backed off. But she always seemed to be right in the background with the occasional smile, wave, or text to Levi.

Levi knew that Jordan upset Kayleigh, and he hated it. He tried to avoid her at all costs. The fact that she dared to come up to him now, after she knew what had just happened, angered Levi. He groaned inwardly as she looked up at him through her eyelashes.

"Levi, I heard what happened," she said quietly. "I am so, so sorry. Are you okay? Is there anything you need from me?"

Simply the way that she worded the question annoyed Levi. He knew nothing she said was an accident. "No, I'm fine. Thanks Jordan."

She smiled a sickeningly sweet smile. "You're such a brave boy, Levi. You're amazing. Just let me know if I can ever do anything for you." Leaning forward a little bit, she rested her hand on his leg. "You know I'm here for you."

Levi caught his breath, feeling uncomfortable. "Um, I said I'm fine. Thanks though. I think class is starting." He immediately regretted those words. The professor wasn't even in the room yet.

Jordan decided to take the hint for now, though, and gently took her hand off his leg. She winked at him, stood up, and sauntered towards the front of the room where a group of her friends were standing. Levi rolled his eyes. Jordan was back at it; this wasn't gonna be pretty.

After class, Levi quickly slipped outside the room. As he was walking to his truck, he was startled to see two policemen waiting for him.

"Levi Cox?" One of the officers asked in a deep tone.

"Um, yes? Is everything okay?"

"Son, we have reason to believe that the car crash you were in last week wasn't an accident." The words hit him with the force of a titlewave.

"What...what are you saying? Someone hit us on purpose? Who, why?" He suddenly felt lightheaded and sick to his stomach.

"We don't know anything yet. It's just something we're looking into. We'd like you to come down to the station with us...we'll explain everything to you there."

Levi numbly got into the police car and rode with them to the station. He was so confused. Why did they think it wasn't an accident? Who would want to hurt them...to kill them? Was he safe? More importantly, was Kayleigh?

Levi's Father:

Brad sat in an empty parking lot, beer in one hand and the other clenched in a fist. He still couldn't believe it. He still couldn't believe Kayleigh had survived.

What a bitch. Ever since she had come into the picture back in high school, Levi had seemed so...happy. Well it just wasn't fair. Levi shouldn't be allowed to be happy when his own father was miserable.

"My marriage sucks, my job sucks...my life is nothing!" He yelled in a sudden outburst, slamming his fist on the steering wheel. If he was miserable, then Levi deserved to be miserable too.

Which is why he had decided to eliminate Kayleigh from the picture. The night that Levi had hit him back and then left the house, Brad knew it was time for Kayleigh to be permanently gone. She was giving Levi courage, helping him stay strong and be happy. And it wasn't fair at all.

He just couldn't believe she had survived the car crash. He'd been watching them for a while now, and knew that the park was one of their favorite spots to go. He knew that's where they were going when they went for a drive that night. He had timed the crash perfectly. There was no way Kayleigh could survive a direct hit like that...yet she had. Slamming his fist on the wheel once again, Brad spat out an angry string of curse words.

Oh well, he would just have to try again. And this time, he would be sure not to fail.