Found My Disrespect

Oh Coconuts

Guy's pov:

I feel rather cross with Hoogie at the moment. He clearly knows more than he's letting on. I wonder why he won't tell me.

Is it me? Does he not trust me yet?

I stare at the strong and familiar back of Hoogie. I admire his sharp, stiff muscles. His gauntly clothes hang from him as if he was their life support. His calves were strangely smooth, but in shape.

I shake my head.

What am I doing? I can't admire a guy like that... it feels wrong.

There's something more than that though... I feel like there's a reason I can't like him like that.

I clear away all my thoughts and try to focus on the distant memory that tries to surface. As soon as I have it, the memory drowns in an ocean of red. In fact, that's all I see... an ocean full of the color red. The red is dark... like blood.

Unknown horror trembles through me.

That memory is the one my mind wants me to forget. It's too tragic to remember.

That's what the memory seems to hint at. I cross my arms in order to hold myself. I couldn't stop to wonder what in the world has happened to me. That's when I feel something against my skin.

No... it is my skin.

I lift my sleeves to reveal a deep cut that was scabbing over. More of them were scattered across my body.

"Hoogie?" My voice rolls in absolute horror.

He turns back and takes me in. "What's wrong, Guy?" He says this with complete concern.

"What happened to me?" Tears were piling into my eyes. I try to fight them because there is no reason to cry...

Right?

The lonely tear that falls says otherwise.

"I was hoping you knew." He presses his lips together and wipes the tear away. He gently holds my face. His calloused hands sooth me and the tears fall away.

"Why do they not hurt?" I whimper.

"Well, the salt water probably helped with your wounds, but I have some Neosporin from the ship..." Hoogie stops and stiffens. "If you need some, that is." He finishes blankly.

I place my hand on top of his. "I already know about the ship, remember?"

"Yeah... yeah, I know, but..." He clearly struggles with his words.

"But what?" I plead with my eyes.

"But nothing..." He frowns and looks away.

I was about to protest, but my stomach takes my words away.

Hoogie gives me a sly grin and chuckles.

I blush and after he removes his hands from my face, my skin burns.

"Come on! Let's get you some food!" Hoogie takes my hand and leads me deeper into the jungle. He grabs coconuts and bananas as we past the trees they rest in. He gives me a few to hold with a genuine smile as we approach our tree.

'Our tree.' When did it become 'our tree'?

Right before we head out of the cover of the coconut trees something falls on me.

"Ow!" I groaned.

"Guy! Are you okay?" I hear I hint of amusement in his voice.

I cradle my head as stars fly past me. My vision somewhat blurs together with the stars, leaving me nauseous.