forum "You DO like me!" "I don't think 'like' is the right word." "You tolerate me." "Maybe." one on one

Started January 29, 2021 by @cryptic-glitch

tune

Ohhh sorry

"No, it isn't good for my back. I accidentally fell asleep. What time is it?" She pulled on her shirt and combed her fingers through her hair.

"Um…" Lin checked his watch. "Like… seven in the morning, about. We should probably eat something soon."

"Eh. I'm not hungry." She laid back down on the ground.

"Maybe you should come back into the car, then? I'm sure laying in there would be more comfortable…"

"I don't want to." She closed her eyes and tried to clear her thoughts.

Lin sighed softly. "Alright. Don't come crying to me when your back hurts, then."

"Whatever." She threw her arm across her face. "Go away."

"Did I do something wrong?" Lin asked, getting back in the car. "I'm just concerned about your wellbeing."

"Worrying won't exactly do a whole lot of good." She sighed and ground the heels of her hands into her eyes.

"Maybe not, but it might encourage you to take better care of yourself." Lin yawned a bit and leaned back against the seat.

"Says you, the kid who won't even tell me that he can't fucking breath. Jesus Christ. Shut up."

Lin winced a bit and cowered, falling silent. He didn't want Orion to be mad at him. He knew he wasn't great at talking care of himself either, but that didn't mean he wanted her to neglect herself.

"I'm going for a walk. I'll be back later. Take the car if you want to or don't or whatever." She pulled herself up from the ground and wandered off down the street.

"Okay… I don't know how to drive, though…" Lin replied softly, quietly watching as Orion walked off.

She walked a little farther and sat on the curb. Suddenly, she felt like she was going to throw up. She leaned forward and crossed her arms over her stomach. This was not going well at all.

Lin stayed in the car, fidgeting uneasily with his hands while he waited for Orion to return. He couldn't help but feel that she was angry with him, and that it was his fault that she needed to go and have some time alone.

Rocking back and forth, she willed herself not to think of hurting herself. A losing battle, really. She dug her fingernails into her palms and scrunched her eyes closed tighter.

After a bit, Lin started getting worried and got out of the car. He went looking for Orion, calling her name every few seconds in hopes of a response.

Orion heard him, sure, but couldn't bring herself to say anything in response. She sort of deserved it. She managed a little squeaking sound, but that was all.

"Orion?" Lin called out again, worried his voice wasn't reaching her. He was pretty soft-spoken most of the time, after all, so yelling was difficult for him. "Orion?!"

She squeaked again, hoping it was louder, and dug her fingernails harder into her forearms. 'You did this. He's angry now. He tried to make you feel better. You didn't let him. Now look what you've done.' Finally, now, successfully, she screamed, piercingly loud and high. It shook her halfway out of her stupor, enough that it felt alright to open her eyes now.

Lin jumped at the scream and broke into a run, feeling panicked. "Orion! Where are you?!" He cried out. He kept running, seeming very frantic.

Orion fell back onto the thin grass and let out a weak "Aaaagh." She turned to her side and vomited twice.

Lin managed to find Orion and knelt down beside her, clearly terrified. "O-Orion? Are… are you okay? Please tell me you're okay…"