I was told to hang out in the hospital just for a couple days just to be sure that there was no internal damage and I trusted Gabe enough he could make his way to and from school just for a bit. My boss at my job was upset to hear I'd need some more time off, so I had no choice but to use up sick days for this. At least it's not technically lying.

So all in all, I thought I had things under control... at least until she suddenly showed up.

To be honest, even when she clearly looked a little upset, it was hard for her to hide just how sexy that tall, curvy yet strong bovine lady still looked to me. I felt like crap because I wasn't even at my best to talk to her. Still, I doubted this was a social call, which made it all the more harder for me to try to play it off.

"Hey there Bessie... I take it you're not here so we can set up a second date?"

To which, she answered. "No, I am not. I just want to know, how are you and Gabriel?"

I gave a playful scoff, "What? You mean these? Ehh I had worse when I used to play football back in highschool. I still got plenty 'a strength in me still. As for Gabe, he just has a hairline fracture in his arm. He just has to wear a cast for a few weeks and he'll be fine."

I decided to have a little fun, maybe help diffuse the tension.

"If anything, the hotel room was in much worse condition when we left it then I do right now."

But Bessie wasn't having it. "Ark, seriously?" she sighed, rolling her eyes. "You bring up the hotel room?"

Without even thinking, she put her hands on hips. Her chest stuck out a bit more. "Ark, football injuries do not even COMPARE here. This is not a game to me here." she gestured to me.

"Please, be serious with me."

I sighed as I rested my hands on the wheelchair arm rests, finding it hard to look her in the eye.

"It was raining last night, my bike slid wrong on a puddle and we ended up both taking a tumble. Gabe was lucky cause he rolled into a patch of thick grass."

She got wide-eyed at hearing that from me. Clearly she didn't believe me.

"Now I know you're lying Ark." she replied. "are you going to straight up tell me that story?"

I looked away from her and did my best to continue. It was raining last night, so any blood we had shed then would've long since washed away, so it's not like she can prove what we were really doing.

Besides, an accident on a rainy night is much easier to explain away to the government regarding his guardianship status then deliberately getting involved in a fight and not taking Gabe out of there as soon as he showed up.

"Yes. The both of us are fine and I can assure you I had every safety precaution taken care of. It was just a freak accident on the road."

She got upset at that and started listing all the things that made her suspicious of me. It was well thought out, but I think I was only half-listening just so I could get through her disapproving gaze.

"...most of all, I want to help you and Gabriel." She folded her arms under her breasts. "So, will you let me help you, or do I go at this alone?"

I did my best to try to not let her get to me. It felt like she was trying to intimidate me at this point, try to scare me into confessing. But what the hell was I supposed to tell her? That me and Gabe were nearly killed fighting this giant black beast that could easily bite a person in half?

She'd probably have me committed in a heartbeat.

I turned my head back to look at her in the eyes with as much determination as I could muster.

"I can assure you Bessie, it was just an accident we got into. I honestly have no idea what you're talking about."

"I should've known." Bessie just lowered her head and sighed. "If you won't tell me the truth, I'll find out on my own, without you."

She turned and walked away. When she was at the doorway. She turned to look back at him. "You know Ark, I do thank you for the wonderful date, weeks ago. But after this, please, don't call me Bessie. And please, lose my number." She turned away and left.

I could only sigh as I raised a hand up to my eyes and try to rub them in frustration. I hated having to do that with every fiber of my being. I wish she at least knew that.

But in the end, Gabriel came first before everything else. I was willing to kick some butts for her as a friend, but... I think it's only Gabe I could honestly see myself putting my life on the line for.


Awesome pic done by the ever talented  Toughset who I always recommend to everyone!

Bessie belongs to my fried  TRAIN and you can check out their version of the pic for Bessie's thoughts during the conversion.

Ark Celosar is © polokun (@furaffinity)