Chapter 9: Car

"Alphonse....Alphonse......Alphonse? Alphonse!"

 

My eyes flash open. All at once I see Ayumi staring down at me, her face looking irritated. "Alphonse sir, how long do you plan on sleeping in?"

 

I sit up for a second. "S-So sorry," I say, and Ayumi sighs. The sun has risen, encasing the world in a warming light. Ayumi sits back on her chair in the corner, and she begins to text on her cell phone.

 

"Who're you texting?" I ask.

"Kaen. He needs to come pick me up since my car is trashed."

"Oh."

 

I feel kinda bad for snooping in on her bussiness. She passes me a strange look, then puts her phone away.

 

We bathe in an awkward silence before Ayumi decides to break it. "What a story to tell your kids, huh?" she laughs, and I nod, even though I dont find it all that funny. She looks at me for a moment, then sighs sadly as she sinks into her chair. I cough.

 

And another awkward silence is born.

 

"I'll pay for the damages to your car."

 

Ayumi looks up, shocked by my offer. "Wh-what? Al, thats very nice of you, but I don't think you need to," she says, but I protest. "I wasnt paying attention, I need to pay for it."

 

"B-But I was the one texting!"

"But I was the one crossing the street."

"Alphonse sir..."

"Ayumi ma'am."

 

Ayumi seemed displeased at my childish behaviour, but I didn't care. I was going to pay for the damages no matter how many times she said no.

 

And I knew just how to do it.

 

___________________________________________________

 

"Kaen!"

 

Ayumi took her brother into her arms the second he walked in. Kaen smiled at her, happy to see his sister again. I rested my back against the hospital bed, glad to see the Shukketsus so happy. The second Ayumi lets Kaen go, he looked right at me. "I sure hope she wasn't trouble, Mr. Alphonse," he says, and I laugh. "Not at all. She was very helpful," I assure, and Ayumi smiles at her good report. Kaen is pleased too. He pats Ayumi on the head and tells her she did great. I speak up.

 

"Mr. Shukketsu, may I speak to you for a second alone?"

 

This takes Kaen off guard. Ayumi looks displeased, but nods and walks out of the room. Kaen takes in a deep sigh and sits back in the same chair Ayumi had sat in.

 

"Mr. Shukketsu--"

"My father was Mr. Shukketsu. Please, call me Kaen."

"Right. Kaen. Listen, I would like to pay for the damages to your sister's car."

 

Kaen listened, surely shocked by my notion. When I finish this sentence and he doesn't respond, I begin again.

 

"I feel as if it's my fault for crossing without looking. See, I had been coming back from my brother's wedding, so needless to say my head was in the clouds. Had I been watching, I wouldn't have gotten run over. I don't want to have Ayumi pay for something that was my fault."

 

He says nothing. I continue.

 

"I guess what I'm asking is...will you allow me to pay for the changes, since Ayumi won't let me?"

 

I finish.

Kaen still is silent.

I wait.

He speaks.

 

"I would if I could, but the car isn't in my name. I have no access to her car's history, insurance, or records. However, I can try to change her mind about the car payments."

 

I breathe a sigh of relief. It was nice to know someone was on my side.

 

Kaen continues.

 

"In fact...here, I'll keep you posted..." He whips out a pieces of paper and scribbles a hastily written phone number. I take the number and try to say thank you, but by the time I look up, Kaen is already gone.

Author's Note

Typed this one up on a school computer :D

Reviews

[Angie Diane♥&hea..]

That is sweet that he wants to pay for car damages. It wasn't really his fault for the accident though. It was her fault because she was texting and driving. Poor Al still in the hospital with injuries caused by someone he didn't know. I like Kaen he seems cool. Can't wait to read on. Thanks for sharing.

[Ace D Portgas]

Aww thats sweet Al wants to pay for the damages on the car...I know I wouldnt do that...A lot of awkward silence this chapter...What happened to Al's World Famous Smooth Talking? But anyways another descriptive chapter, I could see all this playing in my head, onto more!!

[Paradoxical]

He's such a gentleman! I like that about Al, it makes him an all around better character with that little tip. I still wonder about that dream...

[State of Grace]

Aw he wants to pay, thats so sweet! :3

[Rae]

Al is so sweet, offering to pay for the car damages. He is so selfless. T^T It makes me cry sometimes. Can't wait for the next chap. ^^

[Keevan]

You need to work on longer chapters, missy.

[dachildofevil]

hahahahaha when you said "bathed in awkward silence" i thought you meant they were actuallyt taking a bath XDDD

[MadeCheaply]

Ayumi Ma'am lolz Oh boy