The HOE Code

Chapter Fourteen

"Hold on a little longer, B. I will get you out. A little longer, please!"

"Patrick-Pa-" She gasped for air, as her hands clutched onto me.

"Marley. Wake up, Marley. Please."

I tried opening my eyes, feeling worn out. My nose tickled a little, and I couldn't shake the feeling that I was incapable of moving my arms freely. I tried lifting my head, feeling the headboard behind me. My eyes jolted open all of a sudden as I could make out a pair of black eyes.

"Gus?" I murmured, and when my vision was clear I could see his forehead wrapped in white bandage, and his arm was in a cast. What the hell happened?

"Marley? Hey, are you okay?" He asked, and I tried recalling the last time we were together. The chemistry lab, the flames, his blood...Damn!

"I am alright. Are you okay? What happened?" I shot all my questions at him when he walked closer to the chair, and took a seat beside the bed.

I tried spotting the Rockbandit Tee, but it wasn't there. Neither the pink wallpaper, nor Sherry's ultra-blue dresser. Oh my.

"Where are we?" I furrowed my brows only to feel the pain piquing in my head.

"Easy down. You passed out. Lean down and don't move till Sister Romina comes." He said, and I stared uncomfortably at his cast.

"How are you so chill about everything? You broke your arm, almost cut open your forehead and yet you seem, alright?"

"And I earned a suspension letter for a week." He smiled.

"Are you serious?" My eyes were wide open.

"Umm...Yeah. The thing is I am not alone. You are getting it too." He said, and I nearly flipped.

"Wait. Why? We nearly died in there and now we are getting suspended. This is worse!" Oh my God. No. No. Suspension only meant one other thing...They will call mom. And when they do that, she won't leave any chance to make an example of my behavior, and of course praise Patrick. What about Jake? He would only add fuel to the fire. He always does. This was so not done.

"Mrs. Murthy exaggerated the situation. She thinks we planned the burn down." He shrugged, and I groaned.

"What the hell! I told you not to leave your bed!" I turned to see a young woman, in her late twenties, entering with a large tray of fancy glass bottles.

"Sister Romina did you just say 'hell'?" Gus chuckled, earning a glare from her.

"How many times have I told not to test my patience, Augustus?" She said, and he cringed at the mention of his name.

"It's Gus, Sister!" He corrected her, standing up and then shifting the chair away as he plopped down on the nearest bed, giving me a quick wink. Is he really not worried?

"Whatever. Get the fuck out of my way!" She said, and then utterly horrified at what she said, her eyes went wide and her incessant muttering lead to her holding the cross charm of her necklace and 'May the lord forgive me. I have sinned' ritual.

"You see, I am a little new to this thing. Still not an excuse!" She sighed, shifting uncomfortably as she placed the tray on the side cabinet and death stared at Gus, who seemed to ignore the presence of every other being on the planet except his own.

"No worries, Sister. We have all sinned." Gus gave her a shrug after her muttering became unstoppable. For some reason she stopped. Is it that Sister Romina trust his words? The urge to giggle would kill me, with the Catholic nun as the possible convict. She looked mad, and I didn't want to instigate her further. Amen

"Before I assess you, I would like to know a few things." She said.

"In preferred privacy." She added looking at Gus, who pretended to be fast asleep.

"Get out, Gus. I know you're not asleep!" She reckoned him.

"But I was recommended rest. Oh my, it hurts!" He wailed, pressing his face in the pillow.

"Make yourself sparse, and do not step on my nerves for Christ's sake!" She whined, taking the chair as she looked into my eyes. Gus turned on his belly, cried a little, and pulled the duvet over him. Such a tool.

"Your pulse seems okay." She said, feeling my wrist.

"Now... I have a few questions." She cleared her throat.

"When was the last time you had an o-"

"Yeah?"

"An or-"

She stuttered. Was it the air? Or was she usually that nervous?

"Organic chemistry class?" I guessed.

"No. An org-"

"Organic sandwich?"

"No! No! An o-"

"Orthopedic investigation?" Gus suggested from underneath his duvet.

"Hell no! Fuck it. An orgasm!" Sister Rowina breathed out.

"I swear this is the worst part of my job! I fucking hate this!" She said, practically wailing and Gus bursted into a big ball of bandaged laughter.

"Oh God! I have sinned." Sister Rowina had lost it, and Gus didn't seem to stop any time sooner.

"Calm down, Sister. It's alright. It's really alright. God forgives all!" I said, hoping she calms down.

"You think?" She asked, and I was nearly baffled. She was a nun questioning God's forgiving heart (maybe)...Who was I to say anything?

"Yeah. Chill bro!" Gus said, peeking out of his sheet and I flipped a finger at him. Dare he ruins my effort, again!

"Your blood pressure was really erratic when you were found. I guess you should really go and show a therapist. No amount of Holy Water's gonna heal that!" She said, and I gasped. Wait. Wow.

"And if someone asks, just tell them I gave you a sermon or something and you are healed. Please? I really need to get the church's favor." She said, and I couldn't help but nod back.

"See you later, Sister!" Gus waved as she stormed out.

"You're such an asshole!" I murmured and he let out a chuckle.

"Come on, I was just helping her loosen up. She isn't fit for Church life whatsoever!"

"Aren't you going to turn, and lie down properly?" I asked, assuming how hard it must be for him to lie on his stomach with the cast on.

"I like to sleep this way..." He said.

"Isn't it a little-"

"Sexy?" He interrupted.

"No, uncomfortable!" I laughed.

"Hell no. I love it when my butt's staring into the stars, and my eyes are peaking at hell while I am a little lost in dreams. The best!" He said.

"What the-"

"Try not to disturb me when I am asleep!" He pretend-snored. Is he for real?