Levi clicked through the channels on the TV as his dinner sat half-eaten in front of him. True was fiddling with one of the clear bags hanging above his head. The sound of a soft knock had both of them looking over, and Levi brightened up. “Mom!”

Rhea held a bag up. “I brought some things just in case.”

True hummed. “He’s lucky he only has a mild concussion, or he would have hated me by the time he left the hospital.”

“I hope he wasn’t too much trouble. He tends to get whiny when bored.”

“Not as bad as my nephews.”

Levi frowned. “I’m sitting right here.”

His mom patted his shoulder gently, “I know you are.”

“Rude.”

“I brought a book for you to read. You would think after playing soccer as long as he has, he would avoid getting concussions.”

“Mom. Did you at least bring my charger for my phone?”

“Yes, but I’m taking it with me when I leave. You know your screen time is limited with a concussion.”

“Ugh.”

True hid a smile by turning away to update the whiteboard. There was a knock on the door, and the occupants looked over to find a doctor standing in the doorway. “I hope I’m not interrupting anything.”

True shook her head and walked by, “Just finishing up here. They’re all yours, Bryce.”

The doctor gave a smile. His russet hair was short and starting to gray along the hairline. He turned to look at Levi and Rhea with gray eyes as he called out to the nurse. “True, I brought a straggler. Our nephew needs something to keep him occupied. He was getting antsy at the house.”

“I’ll put him to work.”

Rhea looked up from stacking a set of books on the side table by Levi’s bed. “Evening Bryce.” She paused. “Oh, should I call you Doctor Lowell since we’re in the hospital?”

“You’re fine—free pass since we went to school together. I heard Levi was in the hospital. I figured I’d come and visit.”

Levi gave him a suspicious look. “And how does he know about me?”

Rhea pinched the back of his hand. “Be nice. Bryce introduced me to Andrew years ago. They’re best friends.”

“Almost like brothers, honorary and ornery. It was a shock when we got the news.”

His mom nodded as she looked at her hands. “It… was. I still have Levi and Michael to keep me going.” Levi looked off to the side. “Anyways, Levi is doing fine. You know boys are always getting hurt in some way. He’s like Andrew in the way he never likes to sit still when he should be resting.” Rhea gave his shoulder a pat.

“Sitting right here.”

“I know, sweetie.”

Levi rolled his eyes and started poking at his food.

Bryce nodded as he glanced at the whiteboard. “He staying overnight?”

“Yeah. Since this isn’t his first mild concussion, and he used to play soccer…” She trailed off, and Bryce gave a nod.

“Sounds like his doctor might be worried.”

“Yeah. Not to mention his leg.”

Levi gave a dry, “Yay.” He tuned out Bryce and Rhea as they talked and reached over to pick up one of the books. Might as well entertain himself.

The sound of the door to his room opening had his eyes opening. He could see a person moving around the room in the dim lighting. “‘Ello.”

The groggy greeting had the person jumping slightly before looking up at him from grabbing the trash bag. The young man pulled out an earbud hidden under shoulder-length dark hair, “I didn’t wake you.” The dim lighting reflected off of honey-brown eyes. The left eye caught Levi's half-awake attention. Along the top left of the iris was a decent sized spot of blue.

Levi made a tired motion of waving away the concern. “Light sleeper.”

“I’ll be done here. Just taking out the trash.”

He gave a hum as his eyes slowly closed. “M’kay.” After a minute, Levi then muttered. “You ‘ave nice eyes.”

“Uh…" The young man gave a soft smile, "thanks.”

“G’night.”

The young man stood up with the trash bag in hand. “Night.” Levi felt himself being pulled under as the sounds of feet walking and plastic rustling faded away.