Stormy Summer

A Change in Perspective

Rose's POV

"I didn't-" I cut him off as I closed the door behind us, "What were you thinking? You can't just headbutt her like that!" this whole ordeal was just way too frustrating at this point. Bokuto looked away from me, embarrassed. He should be embarrassed. Especially after that. And even more, because he couldn't offer an apology or explanation in front of Summer. They both had just looked at each other, each of them equally shocked.

He didn't do it on purpose. He wouldn't do that.

"What were you trying to do anyway?" I finally asked, now a lot calmer as I had taken a few deep breaths. Bokuto opened his mouth, only to close it again right away. I raised my eyebrow to urge him on, "It's... stupid..." instead of letting up like he probably hoped, I just continued to stare at him blankly. He'll break and tell eventually.

"I... saw something on TV yesterday and..." he blushed deeply, "this isn't how I imagined this would go..." as I saw his almost pitiful expression, I had to bite my tongue to stop myself from laughing. He was most likely trying to be 'cute' with Summer. And he failed. Miserably.

"Why didn't you apologize, then?" I asked instead, swallowing my laughter. Laughing at his misery would only make it worse for him.

Which is not my objective here.

"I was too shocked... I didn't mean to..." he trailed off again. I sighed, pinching the bridge of my nose, "Have you at least told her what you meant to?" I asked him. The look on his face was more of an answer than I'd ever need. I sighed again. So it continues...

"Come on... You can apologize at dinner... Should be ready any minute now," without uttering another word he followed me downstairs.

"Ah! Good timing!" Akaashi's mother said as we got to the bottom of the stairs, she was holding a pot in her hands, "Dinner is ready. Bokuto-kun are you staying for dinner today? Could you two help me set the table and maybe also get the other girls and Keiji?" she added. Bokuto nodded and went to get the plates, while I went back upstairs and went to Akaashi's room to tell him dinner is ready.

When I went for Charlie and Anna's room, I hesitated for a moment before going inside. Summer was laying on the floor, Anna and Charlie beside her. No one said a word.

"Dinner is ready..." I mumbled quietly. Anna and Charlie got up after taking another glance at Summer, before going downstairs.

I sat down next to Summer, "Are you okay? Dinner is ready," I told her not fully convinced that she was even still awake. She had her eyes closed.

"... not hungry," she murmured without removing the arm that was covering her eyes. She probably had a headache now. Bokuto is going to feel even worse if he hears about that...

"Come on, Summer... It's rude to refuse food like that..." deep down I probably knew that persuading her like that wouldn't work. Especially if she has a headache. But trying never hurts, right? Just to make sure, I added: "Bokuto also wanted to talk to you," at that, she removed her arm and looked at me with a blank expression.

"I said I'm not hungry," she said, this time a little firmer, before covering her eyes again, "Just tell them that I'm not feeling well right now..." I sighed. It's probably better this way anyway... Bokuto's still going to feel bad though... Though in all honesty... This boy should think more before acting... I just hope he won't start avoiding her again...

"Okay," I just said quietly as I brushed some of her hair out of her face. Back downstairs, the first thing I saw was a worried pair of eyes, belonging to Bokuto, as he saw that Summer wasn't with me.

"Summer isn't feeling well right now. She says she isn't hungry either," I told Akaashi's parents as I sat down on my seat, leaving a free seat between Bokuto and me as that's where Summer would sit, normally.

"Oh, that's a shame... Hopefully, she gets better over the weekend..." Akaashi's mother seemed genuinely worried. Bokuto just stared at his plate for a few minutes, until Akaashi engaged him in a conversation about Volleyball. What struck me as weird was the fact that it was Akaashi who initiated this conversation. Usually, Bokuto would engage people in conversations. Especially when it came to Akaashi, who seemed to be somewhat bothered by Bokuto's very existence.

Maybe I misjudged him... It seems like he genuinely cares about Bokuto, after all...

When Bokuto went home for the day, he still seemed a little down, but at least the Volleyball-talk seemed to have cheered him up a little bit.

Monday morning I startled awake. I was confused for a few seconds, wondering what had woken me up when I heard Summer whimpering in her sleep beside me. A nightmare? I sat up and looked at her, contemplating whether or not I should wake her up. But before I could even move any closer, she opened her eyes. She seemed disoriented for a few seconds, "Rose...?" her voice was still a little hoarse from just waking up. She sat up and seemed unsteady for a few seconds, nearly falling over again, "What time is it?" My Alarm going off just as the question left her lips.

She groaned as she held her face in her hands, "I'm feeling horrible..." she whined. Before I could retort anything, she broke out in a coughing fit. When I clapped ber back to help her get rid of the cough, I noticed something.

"You're burning up!" I said as I placed my hand on her forehead. Summer shook her head, "You need to take your medicine... I'll be fine in a few hours... I just need sleep..." she muttered as she lay down again.

"Anderson Sally," the teacher called out as he took attendance.

"Summer is sick today," I called out.

During recess, Bokuto insisted, that we would come to practice, so that we could all head home together, as he, too wanted to see if Summer was feeling any better. And he still needed to apologize, too.

So we all went to the store after practice to get some cold medicine for Summer. I'm sure that the Akaashi's already took care of that, but Bokuto insisted on it.

"Look! Look, it looks like Owl-kun!" Anna excitedly waved a small stuffed owl in my face, "What does?" Bokuto suddenly appeared behind us and stared at the small owl that Anna was still holding up. I got to admit though... It does look like him... It's a white owl with little specks of dark gray all over it. And its eyes are golden, like Bokuto's. Bokuto took the owl from Anna's hands and stared at it in thought, "It looks cool!" he suddenly exclaimed. Charlie snorted. Did he just compliment himself through a stuffed owl? He smiled to himself and went to the cash register, still holding onto the owl. After Bokuto paid for all the different kinds of cold medicine as well as the stuffed owl, we went back to the Akaashi's house.

Upstairs, we all went into the room belonging to Summer and me, but Charlie and Anna soon left, saying that they still need to do homework for tomorrow. I should probably join then soon as well.

I felt Summer's forehead and frowned. Her fever hadn't gone down as much as I would've liked. I turned my head to look at Bokuto over my shoulder. He had been staying back next to the door this entire time. Wasn't he the one who wanted to come here so badly? I motioned for him to come closer as our eyes met. He hesitated for a bit before slowly coming closer and sitting down next to her futon as well.

Bokuto had slowly reached out his hand to feel Summer's forehead as well, "She's got a bump..." he muttered to himself. That's right. He hadn't seen or talked to her after he gave her that bump.

I had to suppress a laugh as Bokuto went rigid. Summer had reached out to him in her sleep and was now holding onto the sleeve of Bokuto's club jacket. And when Bokuto's blush deepened even further as Summer mumbled something that sounded close to Bokuto's name, I decided that it was probably best to leave him alone for now. Bokuto wouldn't do anything stupid. That I was sure of. Especially after last time.

"I'll be next doors if you need anything," I told him before leaving the room. He didn't answer.

The next time I entered the room, I expected Bokuto to be long gone, so I was mildly surprised to see Summer clinging to him like a koala baby, as she sat in his lap.