"It's beautiful! So beautiful!"
"I know right! It's like we haven't seen anybody in days!"
Feeling emotional, Amanda and I look down at the gym from the second floor. There were students handing out canned food and bottled water in what seems to be a makeshift lunch line. There were a few teachers and students applying first aid to injured people. And there were sentries placed at almost every possible entrance (second floor entrances excluded).
This place is paradise!
"Come on, let's meet David and the rest!"
I said happily as I walked towards the stairs leading to the gym floor.
"... Okay."
However, after hearing Amanda's hesitant and nervous reply, I stop in my tracks and look at her.
"Is there something wrong? Are you still sick?"
I asked. Does she have to throw up again?
"I-it's not that! It's just…"
"Just what?"
"... I can't communicate well with others."
"Eh? But you're talking to me without a problem?"
"How can I explain it…"
"Hey, Desmond!"
Right at the moment Amanda was about to say something, I heard David call my name.
Turning my head, I saw David and Sara climbing up the stairs.
"Sup!"
"It's great that you are safe. But you're quite dirty aren't you?"
David said with a smile of relief as he patted my shoulder and stared at my blood splattered uniform and lightly stained hands.
"Hehe, yeah."
Seeing his smile, I chuckled bitterly. Although, he tried to hide it, I saw the sadness in his eyes.
"Do you know how worried we were huh?! Huh?!"
Sara said as she walked up to me and poked my chest in a aggressive manner.
"Hey, you know your finger hurts right?"
"It should! Don't ever make me worry like that again!"
Sara said angrily with a hint of tears in her eyes. Noticing this, I couldn't help but feel happy. It's not everyday you have a pretty girl almost in tears for you.
However, knowing that she's doing this out of family affection, I won't get full of myself and try a move because of it. I have a good EQ.
"My bad. I won't do that again anytime soon. I've almost had a heart attack out there."
Just remembering what all me and Amanda went through made me have chills! It was like surviving a horror movie!
That's....good then. Because if you try that one more time, me and David will punch you! Isn't that right David?"
"Yep. So, are you going to introduce us already or what?"
" Oh yeah,let me introduce you guys. Amanda, this is David and Sara . David and Sara, this is Amanda."
"I know it's a little inappropriate to say this considering the circumstances but nice to meet you."
"Same here. Are you alright?"
"U-uhm. I- I'm…"
"You got this."
Seeing her falter as she tried to speak, I encouraged her a little.
"I-I'm okay. It's nice to meet you too."
"It's my pleasure. Now, let's head on down and get you some food. Now that I got a good look at you, you're looking pale.."
"Eh? W-wait!"
Grabbing Amanda by the hand, Sara ignores her protests and pulls her down the stairs and towards the makeshift lunch line down stairs.
"Where's Andy? Did he make it here yet?"
"He made it here. As a matter of fact he's sleeping right over there."
Pointing towards a somewhat desolate corner of the gym, I saw a chubby person sleeping soundly on a cot. Yeah, that's Andy alright.
"Where's Big Sis? I haven't seen her neither"
"She's right down stairs. She told me to tell that you better be ready for your 'talk'"
"...Is that so?"
"Yep, and knowing how she was in middle school, all I can say to you my friend is good luck."
With a gaze full of pity and sympathy, David briskly walks down the stairs, leaving me by myself on the second floor.
"..."
Now it was my turn to nervous. I clearly remember how Big Sis was in middle school. She didn't become the head of a delinquent gang with just looks, she had the strength to back it up! Like I said earlier, she can dint a light pole with a kick!
Huh, now that I think about it, it's safer staying out there than in here right now. The infected won't attack me unless I make noise so I can hide in a corner until she calms down.
Un, that sounds like a good idea.
With this thought in mind, I turn around and take out the key to the gym door.
"Where do you think you're going?"
All of a sudden, a calm but furious voice could be heard from behind me. That voice made me twitch in fear.
"Tch, I wasn't fast enough!"
"Fast enough for what?"
"Nothing."
"Turn around."
"If you promise you won't hit me."
"Turn around."
In a more firmer tone, Big Sis told me, no, commanded me.
"Okay, okay, fine."
Without much of a choice, I turn around and prepare for what's gonna happen next.
"Sigh, you sure know how to make a big sister worry don't you?"
"Hehe, I'm sor-."
"Are you ready?"
Not even letting me finish my sentence, Big Sis interrupted me. Understanding what she meant by being 'ready', I said in protest.
"No. Not really. But I will be if I can go through that door there."
"Well, too bad for you, you're not. Now close your eyes."
"I don't want to."
"Close them!"
"Sigh, fine."
With a sigh, I closed my eyes. However, I put my vigilance on max. If she throws a punch I will dodge it. After all, I felt her punches before, they hurt like hell!
"Here I come!"
WHOOSH!
With a the sound of her moving, I suddenly felt weight on my chest and back.
"Ngh...eh?"
What's going on here? Why do I feel a smell the aroma of roses?
Opening my eyes, I see Big Sis hugging me, hugging me tightly at that. I'm able to feel the wonderful sensation of her chest pressing against mine. This feels amazing!
Wait, wait, calm down, calm down! This isn't like her, she usually lands a hard ass punch on my head whenever I do anything wrong, not a hug (which feels amazing).
So, while trying my best not to make a perverted face due to the sensation on my chest, I say puzzled.
"I thought you was going to hit me?"
"I was but I decided to give you your reward first."
"Reward? What for?"
"For saving one of my students, since I'm the students council president and all, it's my duty to make sure all the students are safe...or what's left of them. Not to mention, I'm happy you're okay."
"What did you say? I couldn't hear that last bit."
"T-that's was nothing!"
"You sure?"
"Yes, I'm sure!"
Big Sis said, with flushed cheeks as she released her arms from around me and took a step back.
Why do I feel like that last bit of her sentence was a very important one?
As I was having this thought, Big Sis did a light cough and said in her usual calm but cool tone.
"Kuhum, Now that the reward is out of the way, it's time for your punishment."
"W:wait! Can't we talk it out? Didn't we just have a touching moment just now?"
I frantically tried to persuade her as I took a few steps back only to be met with the door.
Shit!
"I just said that I was going to give you the reward first. I didn't say anything about not giving you any punishment. Here I come!."
CRACK!
Cracking her knuckles, Big Sis slowly walked my way.
Lord, have mercy on me!