Ugh! Two girls in two days, what were you thinking, Sketch? I mean really now, what is wrong with you? Are you trying to get a beating, cause that’s what’s going to happen if you don’t break up with one of them! No, wait, don’t take that the wrong way, just.. Ugh!
My brain was constantly reminding me how bad kissing Scootaloo was, despite how much I liked it. On top of that, I had the pressure of them finding out about it. What would they think of me then? I let out a big sigh.
“Please hold still, Mr. Sketch. We need to get an accurate reading on these bones.”
Oh yeah. The kissing Scootaloo was only 5 minutes ago. Well, carry on then, I’ll scold you later.
I sat in my bed while the doctors examined my leg. Apparently they thought it was broken, but they had to be sure - and so, they continued to check me.
“Well, that’s most definitely broken. Looks like you’ll have to be in here longer than expected, Mr. Sketch.”
“How long do you think, doctor?” I asked, hoping it wasn’t too long.
“At least 3 days. Sorry, but that’s the best I can do, these things take time. I’ll see if I can get you out early with crutches, but with the fall you took I doubt it,” he responded with a grim look.
The doctors eventually left, and I was alone once again. I longed to have something to distract from the boredom, but had nothing. Eventually I drifted off to sleep, leaving the long day behind me. I could only hope everything would turn out okay.
***
I awoke to the sun peering through the hospital window, shining into my eyes. I groaned and turned over, hoping to fall asleep again.
“Mr. Sketch, you have a visitor,” I heard a nurse say from the doorway.
My head jerked up in surprise. “A visitor? Go ahead, send em’ in.”
She gestured the visitor inside. I could see it was my parents. “Oh my, Sketchy, are you alright?” my mother exclaimed, running over to the bed. She was perfectly fine, but I noticed my father had a long bandage down his left side.
“I told you not to call me that, mom. And yes, I’m fine, except for my leg,” I said back, looking down at my injury. “How’re you holding up, dad?”
“I’m alright, son. Just got a nasty gash across my side from a bull’s horn – Never noticed how pointy those things were,” he said with a laugh.
“So how long are you in here for then?”
“I’m actually gonna be let out today – They’re just letting the bandage do it’s work, so I can leave when the paperwork’s done,” he said with a smile.
I sighed. Looks like I won’t be getting any company.
“Oh, cheer up, honey! You’ll get lots of visitors, I’m sure of it. Your father and I will visit you every day, and you’re bound to see those friends of yours. And look, we brought you something,” she said, holding up a ragged book.
“My sketch book, thank you so much! I don’t think I could live without this thing,” I said, laughing and taking the book.
There was a silence until my mother said, “I’m so glad you’re ok, Sketch. We love you, and’ll be back to visit you soon.”
“Wait, you’re leaving?” I said, not wanting them to go.
“I’m afraid so, honey.. I have to get your dad home so he can rest. And you should get some rest too, you look tired,” she concluded, starting to trot out the door.
I waved to them as they left. Looks like it’s just me and my sketch book. I pulled out the old book and started looking through it once again. All the old pictures were there, even the scraps I would normally get rid of. I just didn’t have the heart to throw my drawings away.
Wait, this picture.. It was one piece of art that made me stop. It seemed almost uncanny how I would stop on this one in particular, but I did. It was of her. Her rosy cheeks. Her bright smile. Her soft hair.
And those eyes. Dear Celestia, those eyes.
I snapped the book shut. I couldn’t take it. I felt tears streaming down my face. How could I have done this to an innocent mare? Twice, even? I felt terrible.
I buried my face in my pillow and cried.
***
“Mr. Sketch? You have some visitors – unless you would prefer to rest.”
The voice of the nurse jerked me awake. I quickly said, “Uh, sure, send em’ in.” I hurried to fix my mane and glasses. That whole “crying myself to sleep” thing wasn’t exactly good looking on my face. Looking up, I saw three young fillies were at my door.
Trying to forget my sadness, I put on a smile. “Hey girls, what’s up?”
“Sweets and Applebloom got really worried when they heard, so they wanted to come over as soon as they possibly could,” Scootaloo said, looking at her two companions.
“How’re ya doin’?” Applebloom said to me, smiling back.
“I’m alright. The doctors say I’ll have to be here a few more days, but I should be fine. So we can get back to crusading after I’m outta here.”
“That’s great news!” Sweetie Belle exclaimed, sitting on my bed.
“You’re lucky I carried you,” Scootaloo said, sticking out her tounge. Applebloom burst out laughing.
“She carried y’all? HAH!”
I shot a look at Scootaloo, and she just shrugged and smiled. I rolled my eyes and said, “Hey, it’s not that funny. My leg was broken.” But Applebloom continued to laugh until Sweetie Belle gave her a hoof upside the head. Applebloom gave a groan and rubbed her new sore.
***
The crusaders said their good-byes as they walked out the door. I waved and smiled, and then took a glance at my bedside table. The girls had filled it up with get-well cards and sweets from Sugarcube Corner.
I’ve got some real friends.
I smiled and layed my head down just as the sun set from the horizon.
----
Author's Note:
Howdy, everypony. Sorry about my hiatus, I went on a vacation of sorts, and hopefully I won't have to stay that far away from my writing again until I have this fic done.
Also, my editor hasn't got a chance to look at this one yet, so there might be a few small errors if you're reading this around the 21st.
Happy reading!
-HDJ