A Soldier's Life

Chapter 40 - Day of fun

Scarlett's POV:

I love my job. I really do. But in this precise moment it's frustrating me. We've been filming long hours which has meant that I've not been able to visit Y/n since the day she left the hospital. We've texted every day, but I've barely even been able to call her. This just resulted in me being in a bad mood most days for work.

Finally, it felt like our friendship was getting back on track. It had been nice spending time with her again. We didn't need to be doing anything to enjoy each other's company, just being in her presence made me feel happy. I guess that probably has something to do with the fact she nearly died, and I had this desire to be with her as much as I could.

I was so glad that she seemed to be on her way to forgiving me. I hope that she can see that I'm here for her and that I'm not ashamed of being with her. At first, I hadn't noticed how touchy I had been with her. It just felt natural, but then I would catch myself giving her soft forehead kisses or lingering at any touch. I panicked thinking that maybe it was too much, and it would freak her out. But when I noticed that it seemed to have the opposite effect, I made sure to keep doing it, as long as she was comfortable.

I don't want to be to forward. I know that I would like for this to progress into a relationship, but I don't know where Y/n's feelings are at the moment. At the same time, I'm just so comfortable around her now, it's kind of hard to stop and I've missed not having any of that this week. Thankfully we have the weekend off and I plan on spending it with Y/n, assuming she'll have me. I just have one more day and then I'll get to see her.

When I get to my morning break, I notice that I'd gotten a message from Sophie asking for me to give her a call when I had a chance. Without even hesitating I clicked on her name and listened to the dial tone.

Sophie: Good Morning Scarlett, how are you?

Scarlett: Hi Sophie, I'm good thanks. How are you? Is everything ok?

Sophie: I'm good, give me one second, I'm just going to go into the back office.

I waited patiently whilst I heard the murmur of people in her café as she made her way to her office. I was slightly nervous about why she was calling. Since Y/n was awake and home, she had been providing me with any health updates, so this had me slightly worried.

Sophie: Sorry about that and also sorry for distracting you from work.

Scarlett: It's ok. I'm on a break and my brain is already on the weekend. Is everything alright? Is Y/n ok?

Sophie: I-uh I don't know if this is the right thing to call you. I feel a little like I'm going behind her back.

Scarlett: Ok, you're worrying me a little here Sophie. You can talk to me in confidence, and I'll help wherever I can. Have there been any complications?

Sophie: Uh, no, not exactly. Physically, Y/n is where she's expected to be. But um, I think she's really starting to struggle mentally. She's quieter and the pain is clearly getting to her. She's trying to hide it when she's around Ava and me, but I can tell somethings up.

I paused whilst I took in what she was saying. I had expected that Y/n would find it difficult being so reliant on others and being restricted in what she could do. But to hear the worry in Sophie's voice shows that I had underestimated the effect that might actually have.

Scarlett: Oh. I can imagine that this isn't easy for her. She doesn't seem like the sort of person who copes well when shut away.

Sophie: No you're right and I know she is pushing down how she's feeling because I told her that she had to accept help and she probably doesn't want to feel ungrateful. It also hasn't helped that I've not been able to take her out yet. We've got a sickness at work so I've had to cover a lot of shifts, otherwise I would have been doing more.