A Search For Something More

Chapter 44: Carmel Bear's Courage

Rough Draft's P.O.V.

After staying ten days at the hospital, my arm, and most of my bruises on my face and stomach were healed, and I was allowed to go home. Some of my black eye is still around my eye, but it has healed enough that I can see with it. Sunset and my parents stayed by my side through most of the stay at the hospital, but Soarin and Caramel and the others checked on me every day after school until visiting hours were over, and that would leave me with just my parents and Sunset to keep me company. Finally, I was allowed to leave, and Nurse Redheart brought back my clothes that have been cleaned and my special present for Sunset much to my relief.

The Thursday after I was sent home, I started going back to school. It didn't take long before I was surrounded by students asking questions and telling me that they're glad to see me okay. It was overwhelming but nice to see so many people delighted to see me apart from Sunset and my friends. I had a lot of homework to catch up on despite Sunset bringing back my homework from every school day I missed, but thankfully I'm ambidextrous, so I don't have to worry about not being able to write on my school work because of my arm. The doctors said it will continue to hurt for several months, so I have to be careful with how much I use it for a good, long while.

Though as happy as she is that I'm healed, I notice that Sunset has been feeling down. Soarin and Caramel and the others told me about how she's been feeling a little guilty that she wasn't there to save me when Octavia of all people was. As much as I can see why since this is the second time Octavia has rescued me, I agree with the others that Sunset shouldn't be so hard on herself. Sometimes I want to tell her up front, but at the same time, I feel I should be giving her some space.

It's the Friday night after I was released from the hospital, and Sunset and I decided to eat at a burger joint for a quiet dinner date after she had rehearsal with the Rainbooms.

"Babe, slow down, you're gonna choke," Sunset says, chuckling as she watches me take huge bites of my burger.

"I can't help it," I reply after I eventually swallow. "Ten days is too long from having any real food. You saw the stuff I was eating there. Apart from that big breakfast burrito I had the morning before they released me, I ate nothing but garbage!"

Sunset shudders before she says, "Admittingly, I should never have asked to try that mac and cheese casserole you had last Saturday night."

"Exactly," I say. "So, I'm filling myself up with real food until I forget the taste of that stuff."

"Well, at least chew a few more times before you swallow," Sunset pleads. "The last thing I want is to see you in the hospital again."

"Fair enough," I sigh as I take a smaller bite of my burger much to my girlfriend's appreciation.

"Thanks, babe," she says before taking a bite out of her burger. "By the way, how is your arm feeling?"

"Still hurts, but it's not so bad as long as I don't make any sudden movements," I answer. "I gotta say though; I kinda like the scars I'm getting from the wounds. They look kinda cool."

Sunset finches at the thought of my scars.

"I'm glad you're thinking optimistically about getting shot, Rough Draft, but please don't talk about it like that for a while," she says. "The thought of Adagio shooting you is still a little raw to me. It's gonna be hard enough to look at her again when we see her and Aria at the hearing knowing they almost took you from me."

"Right, sorry," I say apologetically.

We continue to eat in silence for a few minutes before Sunset's eyes light up.