The sky was definitely bluer, or was it white? The sun is scorching and yet the wind is cold. It made me laugh when I realized just how idiotic I was trying to sound.
"Qian, you're scaring me"
I looked to my right and saw Annika staring at me while grimacing. She moved closer to me and sniffed me out. I let her before I felt that throb in my head again. I closed my eyes and muttered a curse under my breath.
"You– are you drunk"
Instead of answering Annika, I nodded lightly before I grasped the right side of my brain.
"I don't know if I should commend you for being brave or are for being stupid enough to arrive in here drunk"
"Neither, it wasn't my fault"
Annika snickered then looked at me with an expression that said she didn't believe me. I rolled my eyes at her.
"My cousins were having a celebration last night and then they decided to be stupid and mix all the alcoholic beverages. I only had one glass but I swear I passed out right there and then"
Annika finally burst out laughing, instead of telling her off, I let her laugh out loud. If she gets caught by the Platoon Leader, it won't be my problem.
But, there was no one scolding her. I looked around and saw that everyone was doing their own talking. We were currently on training and Annika and I were both stationed at the farthest company which is the Foxtrot.
For every company, two medical personnel were assigned. I raised my eyebrow at Annika who was now stifling her laughter.
"Guess, you really were out of it, you couldn't even remember what Leonel told us earlier"
I rolled my eyes at her and just sighed. I was still grasping at my head when she said.
"The platoon leaders and officers will be out until the rest of the day so we can just take a rest too. Wanna go to the clinic?"
I nodded at her and urged her to walk ahead. My head was seriously throbbing and the fact that I couldn't puke all that alcohol out last night just made it worse.
As soon as the two of us stepped inside the clinic, I quickly laid down on one of the beds.
"Is the headache that strong?"
"Yes, I feel light-headed"
"Well, do you need medicine"
I briefly looked at Annika and stared at her question.
"It's a hangover buddy, I'll be fine with some sleep"
As I closed my eyes, I heard Annika's chuckle as she said
"If you say so"
As soon as I closed my eyes, I felt myself drift to sleep. I didn't even bother removing my tactical boots and just let my feet dangle on the edge of the bed.
My head was spinning so much that it felt like it was telling me that I needed to sleep.
At that moment, dreams and nightmares didn't invade my sleep instead it was peaceful. When was the last time that I ever felt this? I couldn't remember. Most of the time if it wasn't nightmares haunting me over and over again, dreams which are far too unbelievable came.
But at this moment, there was nothing.
When I opened my eyes, instead of Annika sitting beside me, what welcomed me was Leonel sitting in the chair where Annika should have been.
I stare at him as he slowly flips over the pages of the manual which I'm guessing will be our lesson next Sunday. He was still wearing our uniform but his hair was ruffled not his usual cleaned look.
"Aren't you such a busy-body"
Leonel's gaze went to me when I spoke. He looked startled for a second before he put down his manual and stood up. He sat on the edge of the bed and put his hand on my forehead.
"I didn't know you were awake"
I looked at his hand still on my forehead and lightly tapped on it.
"I don't have a fever you know"
"I know, just making sure you didn't got one"
"I feel like you're just deliberately putting your hand on my forehead"
I glared at him but he only grinned, it wasn't a moment later when he put his face closer to mine.
"Did I got found out? Pity"
I felt my cheeks burn as he moved closer. My heart beating faster again as the words seemingly got caught in my throat. He stared at me with a grin on his face before chuckling and eventually moving farther.
I finally let out a breath that I didn't even know I was holding.
"What time is it?"
"1700H, everyone was already going home"
I sat up and just realized that my tactical boots weren't on my feet anymore. I looked around and found them near the chair Leonel was sitting on.
"I took it off, you seemed uncomfortable with it"
He shortly said before smiling at me. I didn't even feel him doing it. I was sleeping so comfortably that a small action like that didn't even wake me up.
"Where's Annika anyway?"
"With Adrian, I didn't know Adrian was courting her"
Ahh, Adrian was someone from the Alpha company. I grimaced at that thought. Adrian wasn't the kindest and nicest man out there but I could never tell Annika that, not when my friend looked so in love with him.
"It's a lot more complicated than that"
Instead of asking further Leonel only nodded.
"Are you okay now?"
I stared at him and tried to see if my head still felt light. I nodded at him when I felt all the headaches earlier disappear.
"I see, still you should limit yourself when drinking. It could've been worse if you didn't get enough rest earlier"
"Annika told you?"
"That was the first thing she did when I barged in here"
"Barge?"
I looked at him questioningly but he only cleared his throat and stood up. He placed my boots below my bed. I had the feeling that he didn't want to talk about it but I was curious.
"How did you know that Annika and I are in the clinic?"
Leonel looked at me before looking away. My eyes widened when I saw his ears redden.
"I asked the company and they told me that you were here so I rushed over"
I heard his answer but my eyes were still fixated on his ears. On those darn red ears.
"Hey, Leonel come closer"
"What?"
"Just come closer"
His eyebrows knit at my strange request but still went closer to where I was sitting.
When he was close enough, I reached for his ears and rubbed them between my fingers.
"He– hey Qian"
"I thought red ears only existed on Manhwas and Anime"
It wasn't even a moment later when Leonel stepped away from me. His whole face was now flushed red.
"What?"
I thought he was going to get angry but instead, he placed his hand on his mouth and just let out a sigh.
"I swear you're driving me crazy"
"What? It is fascinating you know"
"What is?"
"Your ears"
I laughed when I saw Leonel becoming more flustered.
"You idiot, hurry up and wear your boots. I'll take you home"
Before I could even ask why, Leonel walked out of the clinic and shut the door behind him.
I smiled at myself as I put on my boots.
"Is that how much you like me? Cute"
I chuckled more when I realized that I was actually enjoying Leonel's company more now. After he apologized last week, I found him more likable now, which I found surprising.
I smiled.
For the first time in years, I could feel myself enjoying the company of other people again.
"Maybe I am healing myself, I hope it lasts"