group
Alex looked down.
"That doesn't matter right now." He set Aukai down on the couch, cupping her head in his hands. Alex's mother shuffled in.
"What do you-" she spotted Aukai. Not speaking, she knelt down next to her. She took the handkerchief from Alex and wiped away most of the blood.
Aukai looked up at Alex's mother, trying to make her out through the fuzz seeming to be in her eyes. "I'm sorry…" She murmured, feeling bad that this woman had to take care of her.
group
Alex's mom shook her head, turning to Alex.
"Get the medical kit." Alex nodded, hurrying to the bathroom. He returned, the plastic case in his hands.
Aukai's eyes started to droop again. "I'm tired…" she slurred, wanting to go to sleep. And possibly not wake up again. That sounds nice….
group
Alex's mom poured cold water on Aukai's forehead.
"It's a concussion." She turned to Alex.
"Keep her awake." She started working on Aukai.
"Aukai," Alex said, walking around to the back of the couch. He bent down, making sure Aukai could see him.
"Aukai, look at me."
Aukai slowly turned to look at Alex with jerky movements. "I don't want to be awake… I just want to sleep…. I want to sleep forever…" Her head was fuzzy and she didn't know what she was saying. Tears slipped down her face. "My head hurts so much…"
group
"Aukai, you can't do that. What about the oceans? They need you! And Lulu, what would she do without you?" Alex put his hand on Aukai's shoulder as his mother bandaged her forehead. She reached into the med kit and pulled out some Tylenol.
"Here, have her take this."
Aukai cried, "I just want to see my family again…" She started to curl up, crying and not noticing the medicine Alex's mother was offering. "I want to see Seth again…"
group
Alex froze, but only for a moment. He took the pills from his mother.
"Aukai…" He put his hand on her chest, near her neck, to keep her from curling up all the way. With the hand with the pills, he gently stroked her cheek.
Aukai cried softly. She pressed her cheek into Alex's hand, her head in so much pain. She paused in crying to gulp for air. "I want to see my baby brother…"
group
Alex stroked her cheek with his thumb. He bent down closer.
"Aukai, could you open your mouth?
Aukai hesitated, but then obeyed slowly. Just a little. Her eyes darted over to see what he was doing.
group
Gently repositioning, he placed the pill on her tongue.
"Please, I need you to swallow this." He looked gently into her eyes.
Aukai's flashed a little fear but quickly relaxed at the sight of Alex's gentle face. She swallowed hard a couple times before managing to get the pill down.
group
"Thank you." He gave a gentle smile. His mother stood.
"She'll be fine; the medicine will take care of the pain. We can't let her move for at least half an hour." She packed up the med kit and walked away.
Alex, still bent over the side of the couch, took his hand off of Aukai's chest and started stroking her hair.
"You did good, Aukai."
Aukai looked up at Alex again and sniffled. "No I didn't…."
group
"Yes, you did." He smiled at her, trying to comfort her.
"You did better than I would have." He started to straighten out.
Aukai curled up now and hiccuped every now and then, closing her eyes.
group
Alex took his hand from her cheek for a moment. He walked around the couch and crouched where his mother had been, gently rubbing Aukai's back. Softly, he leaned forward and kissed her cheek. It was so soft, she probably didn't feel it.
Aukai felt it. She looked over in slight surprise, but she was too tired to really care about it being strange. She yawned cutely and snuggled up to Alex, enjoying his warmth.
group
Alex smiled, continuing to rub her back. He enjoyed this. Not the Aukai getting hurt part, but being this close to her.
Aukai's hair sprouted flowers as she pressed up against Alex, arching her back against his hand. Her hair came out of her ponytail and spread in blue ripples across his lap.
group
Alex smiled, gently running his hand through her hair.
Aukai smiled and murmured, "Feels good…" She reached and found the hand that wasn't in her hair and held it.
group
Alex wrapped his fingers around Aukai's hand, smiling. He continued to play with her hair. He was glad she had calmed down; the medicine must be working. He glanced at the clock. She wouldn't be able to move for a while now, but he didn't really care.
Aukai took a deep breath. "I'm sorry I freaked out earlier… Can you tell me…. What was I saying…?"
group
Alex stopped for a moment, then continued playing with Aukai's hair.
"You were talking about wanting to kick the bucket, and…" Alex thought for a moment, unsure if he should say what else she said.
Aukai's eyes searched for his, slightly scared. "And?"
group
Alex sighed.
"You said you wanted to see your family. Especially your little brother. You also mentioned someone named Seth." Alex held his breath after saying this; how would she respond?
Aukai sighed. "Seth was my little brother. He was my life."
