Uncertainty

rocco

When we finally went outside to get breakfast, we didn't know where we were going to go, so we decided on the nearest breakfast place. We didn't bother looking at the name, but it had really good food. The bacon was to die for. Thank god I'm not vegan or anything.

"Later, we can go to the beach, and maybe even swim for a little bit." I say, and Houston nods. This trip has been fun, but I've got to find out what Rocco meant when he said I was going to regret what I did.

Maybe that's just what he meant: I'm going to regret it.

When we got back to the hotel room, I told Houston I was going to ask the hotel clerk in the lobby a question. He didn't ask what, he just said okay and I left.

As I make my way down to the lobby, my heart starts beating fast. I am not ready for this, honestly. I just want to know what he's going to do. He could be planning to hurt me like he hurt Houston, and I don't want that to happen.

Soon, I finally make my way down to the lobby, hoping Houston won't come and spoil this for me. I walk outside, and I head to the beach. He has to be on the beach, I mean, he was yesterday, right?

I look around for him, but I don't see any sign of him, so I continue looking around. Then I see a muscular shaped body, and I smile. There he is.

He isn't with anyone, so now is my chance. I run over to him, but not too fast, I don't want him to hurt me.

When I get over to him, he looks at me, then smirks.

"What'd you mean, huh? You gonna hurt me?" I asked, and he seemed taken aback by what I said.

"What do you mean?" He laughs.

"You said I would regret it, and I want to know what you meant by that."

"All I'm going to say is, you're going to get hurt. Maybe by me, maybe by someone else."

I shoved him, because I was angry. Very angry. He looks up at me.

"Strike two. Don't get another." He says.

"Oh, what are you going to do? Shoot me?"

And then I see it. The gun in his pocket.

My heart starts beating fast. I shouldn't have done anything, but that's me for you. My big mouth.

He smiles, then pulls his gun out.

"Talking back? Strike three." and then he pulls the trigger.

* * *

When I wake up, I'm in the hospital. I look around, and I see nurses, but I keep my mouth closed. This is terrible. He shot me. Rocco shot me, and it's all my fault. I'm so stupid.

"I'm so stupid." I whisper, because I can't talk any louder than a whisper. The nurse in front of me looks at me, sorrow in her eyes. 

"No, hon. You aren't," 

"Am I going to be okay?" I ask, and she smiles.

"Yeah, you are."

"How long do I have to stay here?" I ask, and she sighs, beginning to talk.

"About two weeks, we'll be sending you and your boy friend home when you get out of the hospital. Your parents will be flying out here to visit you, and stay with Houston while you are here. You'll be fine, just a few surgeries and you'll hopefully be fine." 

"Hopefully?" 

"Oh, goodness. I'm sorry, I shouldn't have said that word."

"No, it's fine. Where's Houston?" I ask, and she nods in the direction of the waiting room.

"Can he come in?"

She nods, and goes outside to get him. I smile. But then I frown. He's going to be so mad at me. I don't know why I even did this. Why did I want to find out so bad?

I grab my stomach, the pain is still there. Its right below my belly button. I thought I would die if I got shot there, but I guess this is just some kind of miracle. 

I see the nurse bring Houston in, and I smile at him. His eyes are kind of glossy, like he's about to cry.

"Oh, my god. Sierra. What happened?" 

"Rocco." 

"You lied to me." he says with hurt eyes.

"I had to."

"Why?" he says, furious.

"I had to find out what he meant."

"No, you didn't."

"But, I did."

* * *

Hours later, Houston fell asleep in the chair beside my bed. I didn't fall asleep, I was just stuck watching TV. I didn't even know what was on. 

I said sorry to Houston, because he still seemed very upset with me. He shrugged, said it wasn't my fault. But it was.

"We're both survivors, you know." I said, and he nodded.

"We are."