Raccoon City High chapter 16

What seemed like days later, Leon was finally released from the hospital emergency room. He had to wait in line for hours before a doctor would look at his shoulder. The entire while he sat and cursed the fact that Steve had gotten a lucky shot in.
He had to call Ada for a ride. Luis had dropped him off in his jeep and drove it home. (Leon couldn't hardly move his arm, much less drive a standard.)
“Babe?”
“Yes?” Came Ada's calm, cool voice on the other end of the line.
“Can you come pick me up from the hospital?”
“Which hospital?” She asked without missing a beat.
Leon frowned softly. That's something he missed about Claire. If he even mentioned the word 'hospital', Claire would be in tears, asking what happened and if he was okay. Ada only seemed to have any emotion when she wanted something...
“The one on Mission and Army.” He murmured softly, glancing around as he made his way to the front entrance of the hospital.
“Wait for me outside.” Ada hung up. Leon frowned, knowing something was wrong, but he couldn't figure out what. Ada always left him with a sultry, 'Can't wait to see you' before ending the call.
He sat on the low wall outside. He kept his elbow close to his body. It was in a splint. He'd ended up just fracturing the collar bone and jamming his shoulder and elbow. He couldn't really move it for about six weeks. But there wouldn't' be any permanent damage. God, he couldn't even fathom what he'd have to do to Claire's new boyfriend if he'd caused any problems for him with sports.
Ada pulled up in her sleek red convertible. She waved him over with a flick of the wrist, hardly even looking at him from behind her dark, designer sunglasses.
Leon hopped in the passenger side, careful to keep his elbow still. “Thanks, babe.”
“What happened?” She asked quietly, hardly even sparing him a sideways glance.
“Got in a fight. The son-of-a-bitch played dirty and he hit my ankles. I fell.” He murmured, gesturing to his elbow with his free hand. He frowned softly. Ada still wasn't even giving him any attention. “What's wrong?”
“Why'd you get in a fight, Leon?”
Oh shit. “Uh. Y'know, he told me that he didn't think I could kick his ass. He cheated, though. I would've won otherwise.”
“Really, Leon? Weren't you fighting Clarie's new boyfriend?” She nearly spat, finally turning to face him. “I heard. You want her back. Is that true?”
“Ada...” He murmured softly.
“You want her back.” her voice turned back into the stoic tone that Leon recognized.
“Ada, you've gotta understand. Just seeing him with that nerd. It makes my blood boil. She went from this,” He gestured to himself. He was muscular and handsome, and he played sports. What didn't Claire like? “To that pale, weak little bitch!”
She was silent for a long while before she finally spoke, eyes still turned to the road. “What are you going to do to make it up to me, Leon?” She asked. She refused to even look at him right now.
Honestly, she was hurt. She'd been in the relationship to get expensive gifts from Leon, but now she was starting to fall for him. Damn.
“I guess I'll buy you some gold earrings.” Leon sighed softly. Ada always asked for something expensive to make up for something stupid Leon did. He always complied and bought her whatever she wanted...
“That's...not what I want, Leon.” She heard herself saying softly.
Leon frowned. “What? What...do you want then, Ada?” He was surprised.
“I want to go out to a nice dinner.” She thought for a moment and glanced over. “Please?”
Leon blinked, very surprised now. She only said please in the bedroom. “Uh...yeah, sure, Ada. If that's what you want.” But he leaned back, shaking his head. Girls were so confusing.
X-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x

“Jill, come here.”
“Hm?” The brunette asked, looking up from doing the dishes to see what her boyfriend wanted.
“Come sit with me.”
“I'm doing chores. You should probably be helping me. This house is pretty messy the way it is.” She raised an eyebrow.
“Come on....pleaaaase?” Chris asked, watching her where she was.
She gave a sigh, drying the last dish and setting it on the counter as she walked into the living room. “What?”
“Sit with me.” He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into his lap. Jill gave a surprised squeak but did nothing to stop him. She nuzzled against him with a smile.
“You're awfully affectionate tonight.” She felt his hand moving beneath her and she squealed. “A-Ah! Chris!”
“I called you over here to give you a present.”
“A present?” she smiled softly, shifting so Chris's hand wasn't beneath her legs anymore.
“That's right...” He pulled out a small velvet box.
Jill found herself flustering, her thoughts immediately going to a wedding ring. She wasn't ready for marriage...
Chris opened the box to reveal a ring. Jill swallowed hard, looking up to him.
“Chris...”
“It's a promise ring.” He smiled softly, taking it out of the box.
Jill relaxed immediately, letting out a relieved sigh. Chris slipped it on her finger. It was silver with a blue stone for her, and a green stone to represent Chris.
“Do you like it?” He asked softly. She smiled, holding it up to the light.
“It's beautiful.” She whispered softly. She smiled softly, keeping her hand out. “I love it, Chris.”
“Yeah, well I love you.” Chris gave a smile, leaning in and kissing her softly. “I'm glad you like it.”
“What're the gem stones...? Is it a blue diamond and an emerald?” She smiled.
Chris gave a somewhat weak laugh now, scratching the back of his head. “That'd be about four hundred dollars over my budget. They're both spinel.” He smiled softly. “They sure do sparkle like diamonds, don't they?”
Jill smiled. “I love it. Thank you so much.” She kissed him gently, leaning back against him and holding her hand up to let the light glint off of the stones now. “You're so romantic.”
He smiled. “I wanted to give it to you on our anniversary, but I didn't want to wait that long.”
She smiled still, closing her eyes. “You're too perfect.”
x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x-x
Brad wandered up and down the aisles of the supermarket, trying to decide what to cook for dinner. He held a small, plastic basket in his hands, eyes scanning the shelves for something that he found appealing.
Suddenly there were a pair of arms around him. He gave a yell, dropping the basket and letting it clatter to the floor. He tried to squirm out from underneath the person, eyes wide the entire time.
The arms loosened and finally pulled away. He looked over his shoulder slowly, breathing heavily.
“Sherry...”
“Well yeah!” She pouted, crossing her arms. “Who'd you think it was?”
He swallowed hard, running a finger under the collar of his t-shirt. “I...don't know, m'sorry. I'm jumpy!”
“I can tell that.” The blonde continued to pout. “I'm sorry. I saw you when I came in with my Mom and I had to come over and say hi.”
“It's okay.” He smiled softly, rubbing the back of his head, feeling very embarrassed right now. “Just give me a little warning next time, okay?”
“Yeah...” Sherry smiled softly, twisting her fingers together.
“Sherry!” Her mother called, pausing at the end of the Aisle.
“...come meet my mom.” Sherry smiled, taking Brad's hand and dragging him to where her mother stood.
“Uh, Hi, Mrs. Birkin.” He kept his eyes down.
“Call me Anette.” She smiled.
“Anette...” He repeated, feeling how strange it felt on his tongue. All of his friend's parents made him call them Mrs. and Mr. Suchandsuch. He took a deep breath, standing tall and looking at her. “I'm Brad.”
Sherry grinned at her mother. “He's the one that I met at the dance.”
“It's nice to meet you, Brad.” Anette smiled. “But we have to go Sherry, we have to get home and make dinner before your father gets home.”
Sherry pouted softly. “Okay, mom.” she turned to Brad, giving him a quick peck on the cheek. It made him flush. “Call me tonight?”
“Y-Yeah.” He smiled, watching her go. He was glad that Rebecca had introduced them now. He'd never had a girl be interested in him before.