I’m Sorry

She woke up to strong arms around her shoulders and a kid lifting her feet.

“Izzzh someone kidnapping me…?” Frankie was so tired (and somewhat hurt, still feeling that pain in her belly) that she couldn’t make out the face at first, but Nate’s visage became clear soon enough. He didn’t look bothered to hoist her legs across town.

“The others got tired. My turn.” He explained.

“Wha- Set me down…” She groggily ordered, slurring every syllable. They were just by the destination when they obeyed her command- out in front of the nearest hotel, everyone looked at her.

“What’s gotten into you, Frankie?” Her big sis wondered.

“I’m not like you… I need time to get- warmed up to this stuff again. I think that plane ride pacified me… oh, to sleep in those crappy seats again…”

“You were both pretty tough to even get through that scuffle.” Tara commented, their hands on their hips. “I’m not surprised you feel like passing out.”

“We’ve seen a lot.” Katie shrugged.

“Why’s Nate gotta carry me…” Frankie wouldn’t get off the subject of what she saw when she awoke. “Don’t make him do that…”

“It’s fine, really.” The Canadian chuckled. “It was just a- bit of body support. It wasn’t hard.”

“You shouldn’t… you’re sick, you can’t be-“

“I like helping my friends, okay?” He firmly rested his palm on her shoulder, gaze wise beyond his years.

In this deprived state she was in, Frankie started to tear up for the third or so time that day.

“It’s not fair…” She mumbled. “I get it now, why… Katie acts so weird around you, I… I don’t know why, but I’ve never known someone like you before, and for whatever reason I just…” She stumbled on her words. “No matter what else I say to you, I just… I just keep wanting to say, “I’m sorry.” She choked, chucking. “Is that… Is that weird?”

Nate just smiled.

“It’s not a common thing now, you know. We’ve got it better than we did… say, years ago, I guess.”

“Not by much.” Tala shook their head. The kid was smart, but hadn’t been there to see how little things progressed in this world.

“Well… I suppose our society can still leave… something to be desired.” He let himself sigh.

“You don’t have to act tough.” They comforted him. “I know it sucks.”

Nate stared at his feet. He was still beaming, but his eyes were longingly empty.

“Did you know, that… before all this, we almost had a cure?” He chuckled. “History that’s all but forgotten at this point says research stopped once the theme park arms race began.”

“That’s terrible!” Katie declared, though not drawing the line between the way Nate had been hurt, the source of that pain being the thing she loved, at least to some extent. Gen just nodded.

“It interests me too. How priorities can change throughout history- so much in so little time. Sometimes… maybe for the worse.”

Nate giggled, remembering something.

“Couldn’t get a night’s rest back in my old hospital bed… there was a coaster that went right over it, just above the ceiling.”

Tired as she was, Frankie had to hold herself back from cursing too much in front of the young teen.

“What the- that’s reprehensible! Why would they-“

“Some people liked it. And if you came to visit a loved one, you could take a stop by the roller coaster… I don’t feel too bad about it.”

Frankie softened her time, her neck tilting down.

“…You’re a more forgiving person than I.”

“It’s easier when days like this still come by.”

Frankie blinked, looking up at the friend.

“Thank you. I’m happy.” He said as he hugged her. “Please try to sleep… one day soon, I’m gonna be as tough as you.”

Frankie smiled, nodded, and was carried off to bed with some minor help from Katie.