Chapter Eight - Lightning
Author's Note: Quick question for those reading from the app. Is my cover a picture of Deadpool or a picture of Sayori? Thanks...
- Monika's POV -
After I went home last night, I just laid on my bed thinking, I couldn't get Eli out my mind. I can't figure out how to make him feel better. With Sayori gone, I feel like it's my responsibility, both as her friend and as Club President to help him recover.
After he left the hospital last night, no one's heard from him. Despite us all texting and calling. On my way to the hospital, I recieve a text from Natsuki. I pull into a parking spot, (I have a green smart car, so everyone with a normal sized car hates me.) and check my messages. Oh good, Eli came in and made up with Nat. Hmm, that means I don't have an excuse to go to his house though. Crap...
I get out of my car, enter the hospital and make my way to Natsuki's room. A nurse leaves as I walk in. I see Eli laughing in a chair. He's so cute.
Me:"Hey freckles, how long have you been here?"
Eli:"Uh...About three hours..." He says scratching the back of his neck.
Me:"...It's eight o'clock in the morning."
Eli:"I'm an early bird..." It shouldn't bother me so bad. I know it's wrong. He's just here to visit his friend. Who he very likely has a crush on...Hmm, not for long. Not after our competition begins.
Natsuki:"Yeah. He got here before I woke up, so he just sat there for an hour watching me sleep like a crazy person."
Eli:"I did not! I made sure you were okay, and then I played DOOM on my Switch for an hour till' you woke up." Eli stated in an offended tone.
Natsuki:"Then why were you in my face when I woke up?"
Eli:"B-because you were freakin' out! I thought you were havin' a seizure or somthin'!" When Eli gets flustered or upset, his Irish accent really stands out.
Natsuki:"Bah, I just had a bad dream." Nat waves her arm in Eli's direction. Eli scoffs.
Me:"What did that nurse have to say? I saw her walking out when I came in."
Natsuki:"That I oughta be outta this dump around twelve or so. Thank God. The food here sucks." Eli snickers.
Eli:"Tell me about it, I was here after I broke my leg last year. And I ordered a simple ham sandwich. It was the worst thing I have ever consumed. How in God's name do you f*ck up a ham sandwich?!"
Nat and I laugh. Eli checks his watch and stands up.
Eli:"Man, I gotta go to work. See you guys." He walks over to Nat, hugs her tightly, and kisses her forehead. He gives me a quick hug before leaving. Natsuki gives me a smug smile.
Me:"Okay, what was that about?"
Natsuki:"I've no idea what you mean Monika?" She feigns ignorance.
Me:"Come on..."
Natsuki:"Nah I'm messing with ya, when I woke up he started a torrent of appoligies and what not, then he talked about why he called me Sayori, he explained that he blames himself, as you know. We cried, I pulled him onto the bed and explained to him that he's not to blame for Sayori or me. Then we stayed like that until about fifteen minutes before you came."
Me:"...Okaaaay...So you two cuddled or something?"
Natsuki:"*sigh* Jeez Monika, is that all you care about?" Yes.
Me:"No! I care about the other stuff too! That just...Caught my attention."
Natsuki:"Whatever you say Monika." She rolls her eyes.
Little brat. I'll- Gah! Stop it brain! I'm terrible...
The door suddenly opens. Yuri comes in.
Yuri:"Ah, Good morning ladies." Yuri quietly closes the door behind herself as she enters. "How are you feeling today Natsuki?"
Natsuki:"Well, aside from lethal bordom poisoning, I'm fine. Doc said I should be out of here by twelve today."
Yuri:"Exellent...I brought you more clothes and comic books." Uh-oh.
Natsuki:"...Manga! How many times- *sigh* Thank you Yuri. I appreciate it."
Yuri:"Of course. You're welcome." Yuri takes a seat opposite of me. "I passed Eli on the way here. Did he appoligize for his outburst last night?"
Natsuki:"Yeah. He felt really bad about it. But we made up. I got to cuddle with him for awhile. Much to Monika's despair."
I cross my arms and stick my tounge out at Nat.
Yuri:"Ah, I see. Well I hope you enjoyed your free time with him. Our game starts at noon..."
Natsuki:"You two don't stand a chance. He's mine...We both love video games, both love SAO:Abridged. I can bake. He opened up to me first. And we both come from sh*tty parents...So unless Yuri's...Posture, grows another size, you'll just have to git gud skrub." Natsuki states confidently.
Me:"Hmm...Well I almost had him in bed last night before we came to the hospital." I mimic her confident look.
Natsuki:"Wasn't that the first time he's ever been to your house?"
Me:"...Yeah."
Natsuki:"Classy Mon, I hope ya bought him dinner first. And the key word there is almost."
Yuri:"I know I'm usually the one everyone underestimates. But I think I have a very good shot. Perhaps a more mature, sophisticated woman is what Eli needs."
Me:"We'll see..." He's Miiiine!
Natsuki's phone starts to ring. Aparently her ringtone is I Hate Everything About You by Three Days Grace. I can take a guess as to who is calling. She fumbles with the phone to answer it.
Natsuki:"Hello? Yeah sure. I'll try to bring more cupcakes. You did!? Thanks Eli that's so sweet! Okay, see ya soon! Bye~"
Yuri:"What did he want?"
Natsuki:"Well, I've just been invited back to his house to stay. Aaand he still felt bad about last night, so he bought me the Sword Art Online game and installed it on his PS4 so I can play it when I get there. Muwahahaha!"
Me:"Alright alright. Chillax. I gotta go Nat. See ya ladle. Bye Yuri!" I walk out of the room, secretly mad that Eli wanted her back. I may end up losing. But I really, reaaally like him. Him and his cute yellow eyes, freckles, and little accent. I may have to show up to his house later.
I leave the hospital and get into my car.
- Eli's POV -
I drove all the way to work, (I work at a car shop.) only for my boss to tell me that I wasn't needed today. He gave me a few days off when Sayori died but I was suppoesed to come back in today. I mean, he's a nice fella, and I'm glad he gave me a break, but I really just needed a distraction.
So, instead I went to Gamestop and bought SAO for Natsuki, cleaned my house while blaring Disturbed, and called her to tell her she was welcome to stay here for the rest of the week if she wanted. It was out of a combination of guilt, bordom, and some other third thing I'm not going to worry about right now.
My arm is doing alot better. Wounds stopped bleeding. I fished my knife outta my toilet tank and just threw it away. It was previously covered in my blood and then it sat a couple days in toilet water. Gross.
After it's all said and done, the time is about 11:45 A.M, I just sit on my couch staring at the cieling, waiting on Natsuki to pull into my driveway. I've really been almost unable to function by myself since she left and I don't know why. I tell myself it's just because without someone else around, I'll let my mind beat me into the dirt about Sayori, but I could've called Monika or Yuri, I could've went to their houses for a little while. But I wanted Nat to stay with me instead. I smile to myself. This is gonna be a great weekend.
Sayori:"Well, I'm so glad you're getting along so well with Natsuki."
Me:"Leave me alone."
Sayori:"I was you're best friend Eli, you wouldn't love me, but you'll love he-"
Me:"GO AWAY!" I shout at nothing like a madman.
Sayori:"Why do you keep hurting me Eli? What did I do? All I did was love you! Why do you hate me?"
Me:"*sobbing* I'm sorry...Just leave me alone...I'm so sorry."
This is what I mean, this is why I hate to be alone. It happens everytime. I'm going insane...I've been a little better since I talked with Monika and Yuri, and talking it out with Nat this morning helped too...But it just hurts. It'll always hurt. Everytime I go to school I have to see her empty desk. I miss her so much.
I try to take my mind off it. I look over at my TV, the game finally installed. Just in time it would seem, I hear a car honk come from my drive way. I jump off my couch and scramble out the door.
Natsuki:"Hey! Come help me bring all this stuff in!" I go over and take her suitcase and baking supplies. She gets her laptop and cupcakes.We walk in and Nat stops in the doorway.
Natsuki:"Woah...It's clean..."
Me:"Hahaha...Yeah I figured I'd straighten up a little, seeing as how the last time you were here this place looked like a group of hobos lived here."
Natsuki:"Heh, It's about time. Thanks." I chuckle.
Me:"Well, make yourself at home. Again..." I start to take Nat's things up to my room.
Natsuki:"Oh, uh, I'll take the couch this time if that's alright. I don't want to run you out of your own room for the rest of the week."
Me:"That's fine, I'll bring the blankets and pillows to ya later." I put her suitcase down in my living room and put the bag full of baking supplies in my kitchen.
She sits down my couch waits on me. I grab a cupcake and sit next her.
Natsuki:"Thanks for buying me this game Eli."
Me:"You're welcome. I've no idea if it's good, but the check-out guy wouldn't shut about the whole time I was trying to buy it so, here's hoping."
Natsuki:"Well, I appreciate it." She scoots over and gives me a hug. I hug her, and she starts the game. While still sitting right next to me. "Link, start!"
We spend the next hour making fun of the game and cracking jokes about Sachi. Turns out the game's a bit awful.
After a while I start to feel pretty hungry. I look at the clock on my wall, 1:46 p.m, as much as I don't want to get up, I do want to take Nat somewhere.
Me:"Hey, wanna go get somethin' to eat? I'm starvin'."
Natsuki:"Y-yeah, that sounds good..."
Me:"Alright, let's go." I get up and put my coat on.
Natsuki:"Wait, I need to get ready." I don't know what she means. She's wearing a black t-shirt that says Cyka Blyat (whatever that means)in bold red text, a red skirt, a pair of black leggings with red stripes, and black winter boots. In other words, she looks edge-dorable.
Me:"Whaddya mean? Ya look great!"
Natsuki:"O-okay then. Thanks?"
I help Natsuki with her coat and we get in my car. (A red 1975 Mustang, my dad left it in his shop and forgot about it when he left. I made sure it wasn't there if he ever came back for it.) I pull out of my driveway and head into town.
I can't help but smile, I'm on a unofficial date with Nat. And that's makes me quite happy.
(End of Chapter Nine)