Injured - Kris Guštin

Chapter 18

Katrina's Point of View

The sun was setting when we arrived to the small festival. I could already hear music and children playing. At the beginning of the summer vacation, we always had a small festival in our neighbourhood. It was always cheerful and lively, all families would join each other to play, discuss and eat together.

My hand was healing really quickly. The surgeons made a really good job. I can already remove some of the plasters and move my fingers for a few minutes without hurting. I was gad that it was so, because I'm still a professional violinist, and to do my job, it's better to have functioning fingers.

Bojan returned from the bar with a plate full of beers. We cheered and drank joyfully. There were many stands and so we decided to see what could we do. Amalia jumped like a child when she saw that there were bumper cars for adults.

"I'm sure you can't beat me," She said with a playful tone.

"Is that a dare?"

"Yes!"

I think Bojan was as excited as her. But as we were all big children, we decided to go all together. Kris and I climbed into one car, me sitting between his legs (and nothing more hum hum). I put the coin into the car, and now we just have to wait for the signal.

"Are you sure you're gonna be okay?" I asked, lifting up my head to meet Kris's blue gaze.

"Yes draga," he pulled a lock of hair behind my ear. "It's nothing alike the accident; plus you're by my side!" He grinned and kissed me softly.

Suddenly I heard the signal, and I pressed hard on the accelerator pedal. Kris was gripped to my torso, as the speed would tear him behind. I met my sister's gaze. I saw Jure grinning behind her, pointing to us. I teared along. But just when I would arrive on them, we were hit by the side. We turned our heads to see Bojan and Nace shouting like they won. But they don't know me!

I turned the wheel and bumped into them, making them move back. Now that they were blocked in a corner, we can go to Amalia and Jure.

"Are you fine Kris?" I asked, because his grip on me was tightening.

"Yeah yeah!" He assured, but I could feel he was a bit tensed. I took one of his hands and intertwined our fingers. He tightened his grip, as if his life depended on it.

Jan bumped us right in front us. Kris was holding me so tight I could barely breathe.

"Okay okay, we'll stop there." I stopped on the side of the arena thing and got out of the car. I lifted up Kris. I quickly found a bench where we could sit. I softly lifted up his chin. He was so pale, and his eyes were shining, filled with tears.

"Hey love," I murmured. "It's okay, just breathe with me." He was having a serious panic attack. Worst than when he had the nightmare. "I'm here with you, you see?" I ran my hand through his hair. "You're fine. You've been healed, you remember?"

A few minutes passed, during which I continued talking softly, trying to reassure him. Slowly, his breath calmed, his hands were no more shaking, even though he kept them into mine.

"Hey Kris, you're good?" Jan approached, followed by the rest of the band.

"Better," he smiled to his comrades, squeezing my hand. "Sorry for leaving in the middle of the game."

"Hopefully your prince charming was there to rescue you!" grinned Bojan.

"I like being called like that," I nodded, grinning. We all laughed. We wandered between the stands together.

At some point Jure found cotton candies. Amalia was happy like a child at Christmas when he gave her one.

"I've never tasted that," I said, wondering what it could taste.

"Really?!" Kris exclaimed. He grabbed my hand and lead me to the stand. "You have to try!" He gave me one of those weird cotton candies. I honestly don't know how to eat that. Trying, I put sugar all over my face. Kris laughed so hard seeing me struggle! I was kinda vexed, but his laugh always makes me happy.

It was nearly entirely dark outside. In the middle of the field that was used for the festival, there was a big fire. Everybody would sit around and tell dark stories. Bojan was really focused, as he was really superstitious.

I sighed when my phone rang. My grandma, yee... I have to take the call or she'll harass me for the rest of my life. And I'm not exaggerating. I made a sing to Kris, who nodded.

Ahhh, my grandma. She was my mother's mother, and that's from her I got my German part. My mother inherited a lot of her traits, especially her rudeness. I still don't know what my grandpa found her; he was the most joyful and genuinely kind person on this planet. In fact, that's the same question with my father and my mother but... let's just ignore it.

"Katrina, it makes a long time I did not heard of you." She said in German. Saying that German is a harsh and violent language is the most stereotyped thing I've ever heard; it was a really cool and soft language when you care enough to listen. But for my grandma, well, those terms apply. "How are you doing in France?"

"Great grandma. I've got a job as a music teacher. The kids are really cool. Everything is cool."

"Ooof, I forgot about your accent," she mumbled.

"Thanks."

"Your sister?"

"She's good, don't worry about her." Amalia always had been my grand mother's favourite. I don't know why, and she either. "She has a boyfriend. But don't worry, she still focuses on her studies."

"I hope so! Who is this young man?"

"He's a really good guy, grandma. He makes her happy, it's the most important, right?"

"Sound like you've found a man too." She didn't sound really happy. I hesitated to tell her about Kris. But I remembered that I probably never gonna see her again, and she doesn't like me, so, anyway.

"Yes," I smiled, glancing at my boyfriend, who was listening to another horror story. "He's fantastic. He's caring and considerate. He supports me at anytime. I think we found us quite well." I had a dreamer smile.

"Good for you." She was so harsh in her tone, I can't even! "Be careful not to eat too much, or you'll look like your mother in a few year's time." I sighed. Why would she always be like that?

"Thanks. I've nothing more to say. Bye."

I quitted the call. She was ruining my happiness! I went back with the others, sitting on Kris's lap. There was no best place on earth than here.

I was nearly asleep when I was shaken a bit. I was lying on him, I was in his arms. I could feel his warmth when the night was a bit cold.

"We should go home, right?" He smiled, stroking my hair. "You're cold."

I nodded, smiling.

"I love you."

"I love you too, moja Katrina."