Last days can be so unexpected.
On most days, the time that Gabriel stuck around was less painful than usual. Back then he was taller than me by only a few inches. He hardly smiled. His glare was cold. When he spoke to others he went straight to the point.
His demeanor was different once he stepped into my room.
I remembered the sounds of the machines around me, the beeping of the heart monitor.
"Good morning, Giovanni. The weather is lovely today." He'd done his usual. Check up on my vials, ask me how I feel, and take notes. That day was a little different. He came in with a lunch bag along with his clipboard.
"Is it? Haven't noticed," I eyed the bag, "this room is driving me crazy."
Gabriel hummed in acknowledgment, he finally writes down information on his clipboard once he sees everything in good condition. He settles the bag down on a nearby table. Opened it up and took out the contents. "Just thought you needed a bit of a pick-me-up. I heard you failed a few of your tests last week," He pulls out a sundae in a careful cup, "this is for you. I know it must've been difficult."
I felt my eyes light up at the sight of the colorful treat. The cream was wonderfully swirled with the color of the rainbow, bright, and drenched with a black syrup. With a cherry on top. He hands over another treat in a package, I later quickly find out it's a spoon-shaped biscuit. I was too busy shoving spoonfuls of the treat in my mouth to answer him.
"The cafeteria food is too bland, even for me," He sighs, "I didn't want to give you something subpar. How is it?"
"It's...! Good," I wiped my mouth with my sleeve, "I like it."
Gabriel looked alarmed, fishing napkins out of the bag to shove in my face, "Tsk! Don't mess that up! Do you know how much your gown costs?!"
"Dunno! Don't care!" I chuckle, "with how good this thing is, it'd be pointless if I had this and didn't make a mess."
"Ohhh, Giovanni. You're such a piece of work. You know that, right? Laundry isn't cheap."
He takes my cup after I finish and dispose of it in the trash bin. I continued to giggle to myself. That tends to happen, I couldn't tell if it was caused by the Cognito or not this time.
"You're in a good mood, finally. Better than seeing you so miserable."
"Mmm, b-but you know, I'll get so bored when you leave."
"… I'm sorry," My eyes wandered down, I watched him as his gloved hands scratched at what little skin was peeking out his mostly covered-up wrist, "I can't let you leave this room. I'm enforcing stricter regulations for a reason. I just can't… I cannot afford any more causalities."
"Um… Yeah, okay. Are you alright?" I ask, he tugs the sleeve of his lab coat down to meet his gloves.
"I'm fine."
"O-Okay…"
He continues to jot things down on his notes. There's such awkward silence. Tense. I hate it when this happens. I don't know what to walk about. How to break this tense silence. I didn't want him to leave on such a bad note.
"You know… I used to know a really nice place to hang out. Carmen showed it to me, she knew I'd like it. I-I think you might've liked it too. If it's still there…"
He still stays quiet, almost like thinking. He's stopped writing, clicking the pen absentmindedly.
"Maybe if Carmen comes around, we could show you?"
Silence. His lips tremble a bit.
"That- That would be nice," He takes a deep breath, "I… Should get going. As much as I enjoy your company, duty calls."
Damn it. Every time. I feel so stupid. "Of course. I'll wait for you, then."
He's readying himself to leave, pushing the chair aside so the next person to come into the room won't bump into it. I almost forget something. Gabriel looked so surprised when I gasped, asking me what was wrong.
"O-Our promise. I almost forgot…!"
His expression softens, and he rolls his eyes with a slight grin, "I was wondering what I was missing," He points a pinky finger out to me, "come on, now."
I hold my own pinky out, locking my finger with his. The whole promise ritual.
"I'm not going anywhere." He breaks the lock and lets his hand go back to holding the clipboard.
"That can't be a guarantee." I let out a small giggle. I cover my mouth and he sighs, almost in relief.
"I would rather spend all my time with you, 'Vanni."
We say our goodbyes. I wave to him as he left, unknowing that would be the last time I saw him in the right mind.
