I smiled at her and put my hand up to stop her from leaving, “That really isn’t necessary. We can use whatever is in here. All I really need is maybe a few alcohol wipes. I can clean up anything else after I get home.” She cocked her head to the side probably thinking if she should protest. “Fiiiiiine,” she sighed, “I suppose this is better than nothing. But if I think it is too bad, I will be looking for a better kit.” She squinted her eyes at me and put her hands on her hips. I mean it wouldn’t hurt if it’s really needed. Whatever. I let out a small chuckle. Cough cough “Ow, laughing hurts.”

She gave me a worried look. “Don’t worry, it’s not that bad.” She just shook her head and opened the little kit. She placed some gauze and a few alcohol wipes on the desk next to us, “Do you think you can take your shirt off by yourself? I want to make sure you don’t have any other cuts or bruises.” 

“No no I don’t think I need any help. I’m telling you it’s not that bad.” But man was I wrong. It hurt so bad trying to lift my shirt over my head. I rolled up and tossed my shirt on the floor. Hayleigh looked back up at me and jumped up from her squatting position in front of me. “Oh my god! What happened to you!? Your poor body.” She shakily reached and arm out towards me. I looked down and saw what she was so worried about. There was a decent sized gash on the left side of my chest. Everything hurt so much I couldn’t really tell that there was cut there. If it wasn’t for all the dried blood I would have just assumed it was an older wound from one of Clays outbursts.

Hayleigh ran out of the room only to return a few seconds later with a bottle of water and some towels. “This IS really bad Corey. There is so much blood.” She poured some of the water on one of the towels and brought it up to my wound, “this is going to hurt Corey. I’m going to wipe off the dried blood from around your cut. I winced as she cleaned the area. F*CK that really hurts. She looked at me “sorry I know it hurts bad I’m almost done. But then we have to put alcohol on it. I need to clean your face too. And I want to check your back just in case.” 

Once she was done Hayleigh helped me up and offered to take me home. I was going to reject her offer but once we were outside, my car was missing.

“I-I don’t understand. My car was right here. I know this is where I parked it.” She put her hand on my back and guided me over to her car. “We can make a report with the police about your missing car and what happened here tonight.” I groaned and rolled my eyes, “if it gets you off my a*s I will do that as soon as I get home.” She smiled and nodded and got into the car.

The drive was long and awkward. This was all too much for me to deal with and I was still in pain. Hayleigh broke the silence, “Hey I always really wanted to ask but it’s one of those things where you just don’t know if you should ask or not, ya know?” I rested my head on the window and waited for her to continue, “I know now isn’t the best time because of well.. ya know,” she gestured vaguely at me “all this. But I was wondering if you would ever want to go out and see a movie with me or something.

Thankfully as soon as we arrived at my apartment my car was there. Did I not drive to the club earlier tonight? I could have sworn I did. Maybe I was mistaken and Clay picked me up. My head hurt too much to worry about it though.

“Thanks so much Hayleigh. For everything.” She giggled and smiled at me, “Don’t mention it Corey. I couldn’t just leave you like that and then expect you to walk home.” I carefully got out of the car but she stopped me, “Text me ‘kay? Just let me know you are okay.”