The Competition

Yelena

"How did that happen?" he asks. "It's a long story," I answer as we enter the infermary "Don't worry, we have time, malyshka." It's the second time, I hear him calling me darling."Not enough time in the world would make me ready to tell you." I yawn and lie down as I look into his eyes. Again those deep, rich brown irises. I feel safe. I close my eyes as I fall into a deep sleep.

-❦-❦-❦-

"Wake up, Yelena, wake up!" I open my eyes, startled and in a cold sweat. A tear runs down my cheek. No, no, no, shooting up, I cover my face, afraid that he might have seen it. "Hey, it's okay," Viktor puts his hand behind my back and strokes it.
"I'm fine."
"You slept through the last hour. Want to grab a bite?" he looks at me, concern in his eyes. "No, thanks."
"I can drive you home if you want," he starts again. "No..." I swing my feet to the ground and grab my things. "Are you feeling better darling?" the nurse asks. "Yes I feel better, thank you," I say as he walks past me and out the door to give us some privacy. "You know... I think you had an episode, crying, talking to yourself. And he was holding your hand, comforting you at the slightest movement." That's the last thing I wanted to hear. "But don't worry too much honey," she finishes and opens the door for me. "Hey, um... thanks," I mumble and his signature grin appears. Please no cheeky jokes again, I sigh. "You're welcome malyshka," he smiles.

We walk outside as his phone rings, I glance at it to see the name. Baby Sis, with a heart emoji. This guy really has different fonts. "Well honey, how about hi hello? How are you?" Sass in his tone. I chuckle a little and he notices. Suddenly he hands me the phone as she starts talking to me: "Hey Yelena, you slept past your last lesson, do you want to go home and grab a bite? We're waiting by his car right now."
"Yeah, sure sweetheart," I reply and her brother cocks his head. "I thought-" I hang up and press the phone to his chest and move towards the parking lot. Carson and Natalia should be waiting for us. Or maybe just Natalia, I don't know.

-❦-❦-❦-

I see Natalia waving at me with a beaming smile as I run to give her a hug. And of course Carson is there too. "Ms. Katsaros," I hear a familiar voice call out. Turning around, I see my butler, Mr. Shuji, watching me with a stern expression. I had forgotten that I was supposed to share a meal with my father after I finished my last lesson. "Could you please wait here for a moment?" I ask them as they nod. "You can go, your father will be working late today. However..." 

"No drinks and avoid anything containing strawberries," I assure him, throwing my arms around his neck for a hug. Waving goodbye, I mutter a thank you, which brings a smile to his face. "Let's go," Carson says. He throws his arms around Natalia and me as we get into the car.