Previously on Midway Prep
Episode Forty-Seven
Trace's eyes lingered on the soft white face of the girl in the hospital room. For a moment, his the false bravado that he had put on faltered. He loved the girl so much, wanted to love her so much, needed to love her so much. A soft chuckle escaped Trace's lips as he recalled a long-ago conversation between Brent and him.
"Aww, come on, Trace. You know you've got it bad for Tracy. I wouldn't be surprised if you said the l-word to her soon."
Trace guffawed, his eyes crinkling into the tiny moons that were his trademark. "I'll never have it that serious, Brent. Not now, anyways. I don't think I'll be able to tell a girl I'm in love with her until I'm out of college. There's too much fun to have now, after all."
Trace found his eyes tearing at the thought of the conversation. Focusing back on the girl in the room, he knew without a doubt what his feelings were. How could he show her now, with the state she was in? Trace's forehead wrinkled in deep thought.
Cliff came up behind Trace. Putting a strong, hardened hand on Trace's shoulder, he said, "If I haven't told you before, Trace, I'm sorry. God, I'm so sorry, man."
Trace let his shoulder slip out from under Cliff's hand. This was unexpected, unwanted, and angering. Turning around towards Cliff, he forced himself to don a frigid, harsh look that would hopefully warn Cliff away. When it didn't, Trace spat, "Leave me alone. Get out of here and don't come back."
"Look, I know you're hurting-"
"You don't know squit from squat. Get the he** out of here now!" Trace's voice rose.
Cliff turned for a moment, as if by reflex. His eyes narrowed upon Trace. Cliff Walsh was not used to taking such treatment from someone his own age, even in the current circumstances. By habit, his fists clenched. "Whether you want my help or not, you've got it, so deal with it."
Trace advanced towards Cliff. "I need time alone with my girl now, so you better take a walk, man."
Cliff roared. "'Your' girl? Cave man 'fraid to show feelings," Cliff uggh-ed and oof-ed, imitating the primitive creatures that began humankind.
Trace, by now, was right in Cliff's face. Though Cliff was a bit taller than him, Trace refused to back down. His temper had long since left its boundaries. "I'm about five seconds away from taking one of those ambulances outside and running you down with it the same way you ran Kim down. Now get out before I lose it completely, because I'm not in the mood to deal with you!"
-Becca and Christian attempted to break the tension
-Karen learned she was to become Tanner's tutor.
-Allan struck up a friendly conversation with Amante
-Marlo initiated her plot to win over Kendall
May 14, 2001