"Ahh! Fuck!" I cry out in pain as just that light push made my ribs warp and reverberate pain throughout my body as I lose my balance and much to the horror of those present I stumble towards the railing.
And I feel myself start to go over it… 'Is this it? Is this how my second chance ends?' goes through my head.
Before a strong pair of arms wraps itself around my neck and lower back, keeping me from going over the edge and guiding me back to the wheelchair.
"Big Brother!" Sammy cries.
"I-I'm fine, Sammy. Just a little weak… Happens after you've been asleep for… Wait… How long have I been asleep?" I ask Sammy who starts trying to do the mental math before Kira answers.
"23 days."
"Over three weeks?! Ugh… I'm going to be so far behind on schoolwork." I complain, thinking of all the social studies and history courses I'm behind on.
"Really? School is what you're thinking about right now? Where do you even go to school?" Kira asks in disbelief.
"I go to-," I start to say the San Francisco School of Excellence... But then remember the world is different from what I know and freeze before saying... "I... I don't know?"
"It's okay big brother, we all forget things," Sammy says reassuringly before continuing, "You go to the Los Zafiro School of Excellence."
"Oh? That's my Alma Mater." Damon says with interest, though now I know that at least that's the same from my last life.
"Cool." I say in response as the conversation starts to wane.
"Well, Damon got straight A's in every subject, in highschool I'm sure he could tutor you?" Kira volunteers Damon who looks at her in shock.
"No, no, I'm fine really!" I try to protest, "Besides, I'm sure Damon's busy with... College or something?" I say, pretending not to know he already graduated early and is helming a top tier company at the behest of his father while being a Capo leading the Emerald Crew of the Falcone crime family.
"Big Brother, didn't you say a real man knows when to put away their pride and ask for help." Sammy says, shooting me through the heart with my own words.
"Ugh, I hate when you use my own words against me... Since when did you start listening to me? Huh?" I say pulling him in and ruffling his hair making him giggle.
"I always listen, I just ignore what I want." Sammy says proudly, making me pinch his cheeks.
"Uwah! My chweeks! Sthop it!" Sammy protests, before Damon interrupts.
"I may be busy with... Work. But I think you'll be in the hospital for a while to recover, no? I could help you review some material while I visit Kiranne. It's the least I could do to thank you both for keeping my sister company." Damon says resolutely while skipping over what his work is.
I release Sammy's cheeks, much to his relief as he glares indignantly at me before hiding behind Kira.
"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to impose. What do you do for work, I'm sure it's really important." I say trying to give him an out.
"I... I have a corporate job... You could say it's like a family business of sorts? But I make time to visit Kiranne two or three times a week and if you don't mind having her as extra company I don't see any issue helping you." Damon counters leaving me no real way to say no.