The visitors

That hour alone feels like an eternity, but it eventually passes. I'm still worried about Laureen after seeing that thing, the mysterious man in the corner. Despite that, I'm excited to see Alexis and Mark. I just hope that Mark won't beat themself up over us giving them gifts, I just hope they accept them. I want to start calling Mark a different name, one more feminine, like Willow. They seem like a Willow, not really a Mark. I've mostly been using them/they for pronouns since Alexis mentioned that they haven't talked about it. Mark can't act even the slightest girly around their parents, it's really hard on them.

While I'm going over this in my head, they walk in. Laureen, Alexis, and Mark all come in unusually happy. I don't get it, I can't even walk and Laureen suffered most of the impact from the crash. Well, I get why Laureen and Alexis are happy, we're going to make Mark's day! But why is Mark so happy? This past week alone has been especially hard on them, I haven't seen them smile since they mentioned Alexis's art, pretty much bragging and acting proud about it. It's almost like they like Alexis back.

"Grace," Mark's the first to speak up, "you're alive!" They run over and give me a hug, I'm met with a warm embrace.

"Of course I'm alive," I respond, but still hug back. "I'm pretty sure Alexis or Laureen told you that. Besides, who did you think you were going to see when you were walking down the hall with Alexis and Laureen?"

"I know," They admit, sheepishly, "I'm just so happy to see you!" They let go of me, pulling back. The hug ends physically, but it's like it's still there mentally and emotionally.

"I'm happy to see you too," I also admit, telling the truth. "and I can't forget Alexis. I'm happy to see you too. I mean, I saw Laureen earlier, but I'm still glad to see her. She makes the hospital more bearable."

"I could say the same about you," She fires back a smile that kills me, "but that'd be an understatement."

"Well," Alexis chirps in, enjoying herself, "now there's four! The more the merrier!"

"Hell yeah!" Mark cheers her on, "I just can't believe you guys are ok, that was a nasty crash."

"Tell me about it," Laureen's so energetic about it, "I feel like I could run a marathon!"

"Haha," Alexis laughs, "I'll time you."

"Bet!" She laughs back, "Haha!"

"So," I change the subject, "how's school been going? I mean, we were only gone for one day, but what were people's reactions? I don't care if they didn't notice if I was gone or not, I'm new. I'm just wondering..."

"Oh," Mark answers the question, "everyone's been talking about it. It was on the news, word got around, it's the only topic being brought up. It doesn't help that we go to a small, private school. People did notice you were gone, they feel bad. They mostly feel bad since they don't really know you and you're new. Naturally, they feel bad for Laureen as well, she's actually quite popular."

"I mean," I respond to that last sentence, "who doesn't love Laureen?"

"Right though!" Alexis agrees with me, then changes the subject, already cutting to the chase. "Anyway, Mark. We want to talk to you about something."

This throws Mark off, their face is full of shock. I just hope they don't try to change the subject or make themself feel worse. How will Mark respond? Them being happy when walking in the hospital is a little unpredictable, and that threw me off. I just hope they don't beat themself up over this.