36

Sonic

"Fuck," I muttered, opening my eyes the slightest bit. The bright fluorescent lights blinded my eyes. My chest and stomach stung with tiny bees, pinching their stingers all over my abdomen. A groan left my lips from the agonizing sensation. I fidgeted in my bed, quickly realizing my pants were gone. I looked down at the hideous white gown covering my body. "Where the hell are my pants?" I whispered in my native tongue. I glanced around the room, my blurry vision catching the rainbow of flowers and my brother's silhouette next to my bed.

He was staring at me with his cheek in his palm and his eyebrow raised.

"What are you staring at, ugly?" I asked.

"A pain in my ass," he replied. "Are you lucid? You're not calling me a demon."

"Being called a demon is a nice insult. You're lucky I didn't come out with some shit that would've hurt your feelings."

He rolled his eyes. He grabbed a blue pitcher from off the small nightstand beside me and filled the corresponding colored cup with water. "Shut up and drink this."

I grabbed the cup, careful not to rip out the IV needles stuck into the back of my hand. The cold water soothed my dry throat as I gulped it down. I asked Manic for more and downed that one too. When I woke up, I hadn't realized how dry my mouth was. It felt like I had a mouthful of cotton, and it tasted disgusting. Even with the water, my tongue still tasted awful.

Manic offered a cup of chocolate pudding before I could ask for food. "The doctor said you can only have soft foods for a few days," he explained before I could complain.

I was too hungry to argue. I graciously took the pudding cup and dug in.

Manic was quiet as I ate. He sat in the chair with his arms crossed and a soft frown painted on his lips.

I cherished the silence for a few minutes, knowing I was in for a speech and half when he was ready to talk.

It took five cups of pudding before I felt somewhat full. I really wanted a burger or something, but from the look on Manic's face, I knew I shouldn't press my luck.

"Where's my phone?" I asked, glancing around the nightstand.

"What do you need it for?"

"To text Silver and Amy."

"They've been in to see you. You've talked to them."

My brows stitched together. "I did? I don't remember."

"Because you were high off your ass on pain meds. The doctor said you weren't completely lucid and it was normal for you to not remember the conversations you've had over the past few days."

"Days?" I asked incredulously. "How long have I been in and out?"

"Since Sunday. It's Friday now."

"Wait, it's Friday?" I ran a hand through my hair. "Fuck, the junior prom is tonight. Amy is going to wring my neck."

"As she should," he commented.

"Alright," I said, already irritated by his calm demeanor. "Go ahead: tell me you told me so about dad and my choices. Tell me you knew I'd end up here one way or another. Tell me how disappointed you are, so we can get this over with."

Manic scoffed. "You really don't get it, do you?"

"Get what?"

"That you almost fucking died," he snapped, his voice raising a bit.

I pressed my lips together, despising his blunt reminder.

He took a deep breath, regaining his composure that threatened to break. "How much do you remember about that night?"

"All of it," I admitted. "But you've got me fucked up if you think I'm talking to the police. Have they been around?"

"Yep. They've been trying to talk to your mentee, but he's not saying anything either."

Shit. Tails . His tear stained face and eyes filled with fear flashed through my brain. That poor fucking kid. He was supposed to keep his ass inside. "Is he okay?" I asked.

"Yeah. He's been by to see you too. He's a bit choked up about what happened, but physically, he's fine. No one harmed him"

I sighed in relief. "Good." I glanced at the nightstand. "Can I have my phone now?"

"No."

"Why? I'm just going to text a few people."

"Is Paco one of those people?" He asked with a raised brow.

I frowned. "He's our cousin, Manic. He deserves to know I'm okay."

"I deleted his number from your phone."

"What? Why the fuck would you do that?"

"Because you need to separate yourself from the shit that he and our father are into. That nonsense is the sole reason you're even here in the first place. Besides, with the rib injury affecting your breathing, you're not supposed to be smoking anyway."

I rolled my eyes. "When are you going to stop acting like my goddamn father? I don't fucking need one!"

"You're right - you need Jesus. But since he won't touch your crazy ass, you're stuck with me." He set his hand on my forearm, squeezing gently. "And no matter how hard you try to push me away, I can guarantee I'm not going anywhere."

I looked away, focusing on a loose thread on my blanket. "You were worried about me, weren't you?"

"Of course, Sonic. I was scared out of my mind when Mama woke me up, crying and screaming about you being hurt. I thought I was going to lose my baby brother, and I couldn't fathom what I'd do if you were gone."

"Probably get a girlfriend," I muttered.

Manic grabbed the back of my head and forced me to look at him. His brown eyes burned with sincerity. "I'm serious, Sonic. As much as I want to punch you in the face sometimes, you're still my kid brother and I'm always going to care about you. It's about time you get that through your thick skull."

"I don't know - that's a lot of bone for those words to cut through."

He rolled his eyes. "Whatever." He brought my head closer, so he could kiss my forehead. "I love you, Sonic."

"Yeah, I kind of like you too."

A soft knock at the door grabbed our attention. We looked to the doorway to see Mr. Connors standing there, armed with a vase full of yellow flowers and a blue card. He was still in his usual school attire of a dress shirt and slacks. A small smile lay on his face as he observed me and my brother. "I hope I'm not interrupting a sentimental moment," he said.

"Nah," Manic said. "You were actually saving him from getting another black eye."

I swung my fist at him, catching him in the shoulder. "Shut the fuck up."

"Oh, you're talking and swinging?" Mr. Connors asked. "Looks like you're back to normal already."

Manic rose from his seat. "I'll give you guys a minute," he said, moving to the door.

"Grab me some real food while you're out there," I commanded.

My brother flipped me off as he exited the room.

Mr. Connors chuckled. He set his vase of flowers amongst the others sitting on the nightstand. "How are you feeling? Any pain?"

"A lot of pain," I confessed. "But nothing I can't handle." I tilted my head. "How'd you find out about the news? The rumor mill?"

"Your mother called the school," he replied. "She wanted to let the office know about your upcoming absences."

"And you're here to bring me my homework, aren't you?"

"No. I'm just here to check on you. The building is awfully quiet without you around."

I smirked. "Just say you missed me."

He shook his head. "And add more air to your big head? I don't think so." He smiled. "I'm really glad you're alright, Sonic."

"Yeah, me too."

Manic reappeared at the door with a pretty dark-skinned nurse at his side.

I raised an eyebrow at the sweet smile she was sending him. If I had to get shot for him to get a girlfriend and potentially get off my back, then I know this universe truly has a cruel sense of humor.

The nurse giggled at something he said as she walked into the room. "Alright, Sonic, it's time for another dose of your medicine," she said.

"I'll get out of your way," Mr. Connors said. "I'll see you soon, Sonic. Get well soon."

"Bye, Mr. C."

Manic watched the nurse replace the empty bag of IV fluids with one full of clear liquid, his eyes between her steady hands and pursed lips of concentration.

I glanced at her name tag. "Naomi, is it?" I asked.

"Yes," she answered.

"Are you single?"

She blinked at the question. "Why?"

"My brother thinks you're cute, but he's too shy to admit it."

"Sonic," Manic snapped, shooting me a glare.

Naomi giggled, glancing over her shoulder at Manic. "I think he's cute too," she said.

His dark eyes drifted to her, widening from her confession. "You do?"

"Mhm." She finished her task, sending the fresh liquid through the clear tube of my IV. "Maybe we can discuss this further when I get off at eight? Preferably over dinner?"

"Uh, I would, but Sonic -"

"I'm fine," I said. "He'll meet you in the lobby at eight."

She smiled at Manic, her brown eyes glistening under the bright lights. "I look forward to it," she told him.

My brother watched her hurry out of the room. "I'm gonna kick your ass," he said when she was gone.

"You're welcome," I replied with a smile. I opened my mouth, armed with another smart remark, when the medicine knocked me upside the head. My vision spun, summoning waves of nausea from the sudden movement. My eyelashes pulled at my eyelids like a person pulling at their covers, desperate for rest. I didn't have the energy to fight the feeling. I'd done too much talking over the past half hour. My body needed to rest, and it wasn't taking no for an answer. I relaxed against the bed and drifted off into a deep slumber.