"How's your leg? Or, should I say, how's your body? Two broken healed ribs, healed ankle and head. Shall I continue the lists?"
Fina didn't bother to answer.
"Fina Clark. Where did you go?"
"Why are you curious? You don't seem like someone who cares"
"What I think about is certainly none of your business"
"Well, I do wonder why you hate me so much"
"And, I think I've made it clear I don't like lateness in my class" Mr Walker said "Aren't you going to tell me about it?"
Fina closed her eyes, suddenly feeling sleepy again.
"I - have nothing to tell you"
"I have a feeling you will still come to talk to me"
She heard Mr Walker from a long distance as she drifted off to sleep again.
Something was pressing in on her, pulling her down. She couldn't feel any part of her. It's like her limbs aren't even there anymore. Fina opened her eyes but couldn't move.
Every part of her was immobile. Her breathing became irregular, her nerves sending a trapped transmission to her brain. But yet, she couldn't move.
Then, she heard it. Footsteps coming towards her bed. A light brush on her forehead.
Fina struggled to move her eyes but couldn't.
The person traced her ear to her neck with his or her fingers.
"I'll get you, Fina Clark. And when I do, you won't live to tell the tale"
********
Sun rays streamed through the window of the room, making everything bright.
"Wake up, teddy bear"
Zo voice.
Fina opened her eyes slowly to the sight of Zo cleaning her big glasses with a blue handkerchief
.
"How do you feel?"
"Surprisingly better" Fina replied, sitting up.
"Tyrell was here a while ago. Brought you cookies. And Xavier was here before him. Brought you strawberry milkshake. I think Tyrell likes you"
"And you like Xavier" Fina said
Zo turned crimson.
"Can we stop talking about boys? Distractions"
Fina wiggled her brows at her.
"Fina Clark. How are you feeling?" Anne asked, walking into the small room.
"I'm feeling great" Fina replied
Anne studied her for a while.
"No illusions?" She asked
Fina shook her head.
Anne checked on her while Zo kept adjusting her glasses.
"You are free to go. Come back if you are having any effects"
Fina nodded, getting out of bed.
Zo grabbed her cookies and milkshake for her.
"Have you seen Shel?" Fina asked
"Nope" Zo said after they are out of the room.
"Oh"
They met Talon and Shelly on the way.
"How is my princess doing?" Talon cried, walking over to give her a hug.
After wiping imaginary tears from his cheek, he beamed at Fina.
"Fina"
They all turned to see Serene Berry behind them.
"Hey" Fina said with a weak smile.
"You are alright" Serene said
Fina looked perplexed.
"Yes, I am" Fina said
Serene gave a laugh which sound hysterical to Fina's ears.
"I didn't mean it like that. I'm just surprised and happy that you are okay. I had a friend in school who had a sprained ankle. He didn't quite recover from it for three weeks"
"Oh" Fina said
Shelly Jefferson glanced from Serene to Talon and narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
"I'll get going then" Serene said and walked away.
"She didn't take her little mini me" Shelly said "And what's with the friends tale every time?"
Fina looked at Talon who just shrugged.
"Out with it" Fina said
"Geez, I swear you three together are worse than Zedler" Talon said
"We didn't break up. We are just taking a break" Talon said
Fina and Zo glanced at each other while Zo looked at Talon with a bemused face.
"You are really something, you know that?" Shelly said "Let's go"
"I really missed you three" Talon said as they began to walk.
"What sort of break are you in?" Fina asked
"Just break. I don't know." Talon replied
"You do really like like her" Shelly said
"I do. I have her birthday even memorised on my head. I don't want to forget. July 12th"
Fina, Zora and Shelly screeched to a halt.
"I was wondering if I should give her something since it's been missed" Talon said "But- what are you three doing over there?"
"Nothing. So-um, July 12th. You know that's a very special date" Fina said
"Yes, I know. I really like Serene Berry"
"But? There's a but hanging there. But?" Shelly asked repeatedly.
"I'm having weird vibes" Talon said
"Like?" Zo asked
Talon looked up and stared at nothing for a while.
"Ghost vibes" He replied
Shelly and Zo burst out laughing.
"Oh, Talon Smith is dating a ghost. How lovely" Shelly said "Seriously, I think you really need a break. I wouldn't date you if you are spewing off nonsense like that. Not that I would ever"
Talon rolled his eyes.
"Please, do you see this body?" He asked
Shelly choked on her tongue.
"You looked like my little brother of ten" Shelly said
"Oh, that's the elevator. Don't you have class, Talon?" Fina asked
"Oh my God. I definitely have Mr Walker's class" Talon said and practically flew to the lift.
"You have a brother?" Fina asked when they got in front of the lift.
"No, I don't. I'm an only child" Shelly replied with a smile.
Zo rolled her eyes.
"You are ridiculous" She said
*******
"I think it's just the fact that we came late to his class the first time! I don't think he ever forgave us for that!" Zo said
"That, I guess!" Fina shouted from the closet.
Zo switched channels on the Tv.
"Hey Fin!"
"Yeah?" Fina asked, plopping on the other side of the peach sofa in a flared sleeveless knee length gown.
"Why don't we tell Tyrell about this? He seems to know about things a lot. Didn't he say his father is a philosopher?" Zo asked
"Yes" Fina replied
"Maybe we should tell him everything. He will know what to do with it."
"Everything's just weird. The puzzles don't fit. At all. What's Serene Berry connection with this? Did she kill her?" Fina asked
"Ghost vibes" Zo said
"Scary right? It's so confusing" Fina said "I'll speak to Tyrell. You want to come?"
Zo shook her head.
"I'm enjoying Mr Walker's suspension. At least I don't have to see Nancy Miller's ugly face today"
"I'll be right back" Fina said