//------------------------------// // Exhaustion // Story: Before the Friendship Games: Sunny Flare // by CapNTilfy //------------------------------// Sunny boarded the bus and sighed deeply. Ugh. That was a very, very tiring experience for me. She sunk into her seat and put head into her hands. And there's the funeral tomorrow... Sunny made a frustrated grunt. Am I even going to have enough energy for the Friendship Games on Friday? "A good night's sleep would be nice." she thought out loud. --------------------------------------------- Once Sunny reached her bus stop, she got out of the bus. She entered her home. "Hello." she said. "Rough day?" asked Stellar. Sunny rolled her eyes. "What was your first guess?" Sunny said bitterly. "That bad, huh?" asked Glaze. "I don't really want to talk about it all that much, honestly." said Sunny. "Fair enough." said her father. "But if you change your mind, you know you can talk to either of both of us." Sunny smiled. "I know." "Have you given any thought about the medication?" asked her mother. "I haven't. Today was so hectic it was one of the last things on my mind. I promise I'll sleep on it." she said. "Okay, but you need to make your mind up by tomorrow morning." said her mother. "Understood". said Sunny. She sighed. "Speaking of which, I'm dreading tomorrow." Glaze nodded. "That's understandable. We're not looking forward to it either." "It's going to be painful, I know." said Stellar. Sunny put her head in her hands. "That's putting it lightly. I have no doubt that I'll burst into tears several times, cursing the heavens for taking Rutherford for me, bawling over his casket..." she sniffled. "Crying in front of his parents who I still feel like I don't deserve to talk to, apologizing to them even though I know did nothing wrong by surviving..." her voice cracked. "Watching his casket lower...saying goodbye to him one last..." she trailed off and started sobbing uncontrollably, her body shaking with emotion. Glaze and Stellar ran to their daughter and embraced her a strong hug. "I know this whole week's been tough on you, Sunny." said her father. "Nobody should have to go through what you have." "Your father and I are here for you." said Glaze. Several minutes passed until Sunny calmed down. She let out a deep sigh, shuddering. "I'm going to be so drained by the end of this week." "I think we all are." said Glaze. "I don't know about you two, but I'm getting hungry." said Sunny. "Dinner does sound good right about now." said Stellar. "How does Chineighese sound?" --------------------------------------------- After dinner, Sunny Flare flopped on her bed and yawned. "Better get a good night's sleep." she muttered under her breath as she turned out the light. Sleep overtook her in a near instant. --------------------------------------------- Sunny opened her eyes and found herself in the last place she expected. "Wait...what am I doing here?" She was standing in the park where she and Rutherford met. "Over here." Rutherford said, just a few feet away from Sunny. She walked over to him. "I thought you could only show up if I had those stomach pains." said Sunny. Rutherford smiled. "Things change." Sunny smiled back. "So." she said, worried about how he'd respond. "What do you think about the medication issue?" "Personally, I think you should take it." he said. Sunny smiled, tears in her eyes. "Somehow, I knew you were going to say that." "It's your body, Sunflare. I'm not going to force you to take the medication, even if I could." Rutherford said. "I think that statement is ironic, considering you're the manifestation of my subconscious." said Sunny. "Which would mean that it's also your body...I think." Rutherford laughed. "Okay, sure. We'll go with that." Sunny laughed with him, then sighed. "I've decided that I'll take the medication. I'd rather not risk any more physical trauma than I might already have." Sunny said. "But right now, I almost don't want to wake up." "Why?" asked Rutherford. "Because I'm here, or because of the funeral?" "Both, actually." said Sunny. "I mean, this whole week has been mentally, physically and emotionally draining. I just want it to be over with already." Rutherford smiled. "I get that." He put an arm around Sunny's shoulder. "Look. I know tomorrow's going to be very emotional for you. You'll have to come face to face with my mother and father. You're going to see my corpse. You're-" "You're not helping!" Sunny shouted, tears streaming down her face. "I don't need, nor do I want any more reminders about the funeral. It's painful enough that I have to watch your casket get lowered tomorrow evening, or have to come face to face with family of yours that I not only haven't met, but likely didn't even know existed!" Sunny sighed, then sniffled. "Sunflare..." "I know you're my subconscious, but do you have any idea what I've been through the last few days? I've been through an absolute hell!" Sunny said. "Killed by a drunk driver, who I hope dies a slow and painful death from a cancer of the liver. Constantly being reminded of your death in any way, shape or form. Constantly being told I should make friends when I'm still not sure I'm ready for it. It's all becoming overwhelming and I just want Friday to be over so it can stop already!!" "Sunny." said Rutherford. "Even after the Friendship Games, I doubt the pain will leave you. It'd be too soon." "I know." said Sunny, sniffling. "I just needed to vent. It's been a nonstop roller coaster ride of emotions for me and my parents." she sighed. "They must be worried sick about me. I'm sure they were even before I tried to get myself run over by a car on the highway." She laughed bitterly. "Not one of my prouder moments." she sniffled again. "God I miss you so much." Rutherford hugged Sunny. "Just remember, Sunny Flare. I'll always be with you. I'll always be a part of you." "But it's not the same to me as feeling your touch." Sunny said. "I know." said Rutherford. "Just keep what I said in mind, okay?" "I will." Sunny said as she broke the hug, then woke up.