Miss Raven's Talent Facility, First Year

Chapter Eighteen: Shun

                                                                       Chapter 18

                                                                           Shun

    Shun smiled down at Grace, sitting in the chair beside her bed. He’d been sleeping in that chair and waking up in that chair, eating and drinking. The only time he’d ever left Grace’s side was when either one of them had to use the bathroom. His roommate was still asleep, her face looking significantly child-like in the early morning light. As he watched her, Grace opened her eyes slowly, and then quickly closed them as if to grab more dream time.

    “Come on, Grace. It’s 9:00 AM. Time to wake up,” Shun said softly. She’s actually kind of adorable when she sleeps...

    Grace gave a small moan. “I’m...tired. But significantly better.”

    “It’s been at least two weeks,” Shun commented.

    “Two weeks and three days. The doctor said I can come out of the hospital today!”

    “That’s really great, Grace. I told you you’d make it!”

    “It’s all thanks to you,” Grace said warmly. “Whenever I was sad, whenever it hurt, when I felt like I couldn’t make it, you were right there, reminding me of my strengths, comforting me on my weaknesses...you were true to your word. And it made me realize something...”

    Shun took Grace’s hand gently. “Yes, Grace?”

    Grace smiled brightly and sat up, giving Shun a quick peck on the cheek. “I love you!”

    “You’ve already told me that.”

    “I know. But know my love for you has grown even bigger. And...” Grace trailed off.

    Shun cocked his head. “Uh...yes?”

    Grace’s gaze grew serious. “I know you love Irene. So...I’m assuming you’ll kill me if I say this.”

    Was she going to say that her love for me has grown serious? Shun wondered. But...she can’t be in love with me! What about her kiss with Blue?

    “You know my kiss with Blue?” Grace said suddenly, as if she had read Shun’s thoughts and was echoing them into the world.

    “Yeah. So what?”

    “So...I was wearing Lip-Guard.”

    “You were?”

    “Yep.”

    “And...why are you telling me this?”

    “So that you don’t think I’m totally devoted to him. I mean, I’m much closer to you then I am to him. He didn’t come visit once! You were here the whole time.” Grace paused. “Sometimes I wonder. He says he loves me all the time, but he doesn’t really do anything about it. And he’s taking things a little too fast for my tastes. But you? I’ve only heard you say you loved me once. And it wasn’t even direct. Yet you do things to show me that you love me. I know by your actions that you really care. And your relationship with Irene? I’ve seen you two. You say ‘hi’ to each other, hold hands occasionally, rarely you’ll get a kiss on the cheek...that’s the pace I want my relationship to go at.”

    Shun stopped stroking Grace’s hand with his thumb. “What are...you saying?”

    Grace shrugged. “I don’t know.”

    “Are you trying to say that you want a romantic relationship with me?”

    Grace blushed madly. “N-No! Why would...why would you think that?! Of course not!” She paused. “I-I mean...not that that would be a bad thing, necessarily...”

    Shun raised an eyebrow. “So...is that...a yes?”

    Grace’s face turned bright red. “OF COURSE NOT!” she shouted. “I-I mean, you’re with Irene! And I’m with Blue...kinda...a-and sure, maybe it’s true, that you’re sweet, and funny, and you’re very protective over me...and I like that....and it’s true that I find you attractive...” She froze. “I-I...never said any of that...OK?”

    Shun blushed slightly. Is it true, then? Grace is in love with me?

    Grace turned away awkwardly, her face still red, eyebrows angled upwards in embarrassment. “Just...forget it. Please.”

    Shun reached out and instinctually grabbed her chin and turned her head back towards him. Grace turned an even deeper shade of red.

    Shun grinned cheekily. “I don’t blame you for being in love with me. It’s not too hard,” he said with a wink.

    Grace’s bright red color slowly died down until her skin tone was its natural olive. “I...I never said...”

    Shun touched her cheek gently. “Grace...you’re a sweet girl, alright? And your singing voice? It’s amazing. You’re beautiful. Honestly.”

    Grace blushed again. “Um...thanks...”

    “But I really like Irene. And maybe...if things weren’t like that, we could have had a future together.”

    Grace opened her mouth to protest, but then she closed it, defeated. “Shun...I would have liked that. I would have really, really liked that. It’s true that I’m in love with you. I realized it when we talked about our moms that time. Remember that?”

    Shun pulled his hand away and smiled gratefully. “Thanks for understanding. Any normal girl would have latched on to me no matter what I said,” he said.

    Grace winked. “Of course. But I’m no normal girl.”