There was a quiet murmur near Kouri. A few voices she almost barely recognized were hastily speaking to one another.
About her.
"So she just, collapsed?" An older female voice curtly questioned.
"That's what I keep saying," that voice whispered in frustration. "She was just standing there, and she fainted!"
"She was asleep in my class again," her teacher's drone almost sounded like something of concern.
"Anemia?"
That had to be the nurse. Ms...Franklin? Kouri wondered. She had only seen her twice, once during her first day, and the second during their yearly mandatory screenings. Her lips were always pursed together like she'd eaten too many lemons. And she wore these cat eyed glasses that seemed truly vintage and had struck Kouri as fascinating.
"You tell me," her teacher, Dr. Turner muttered.
Clearly not one to be overly concerned for his students, Kouri thought.
She made to shift, feeling uncomfortable knowing others had been watching her sleep. But as she moved her leg, she felt someone on the bed with her.
"She's waking up," that voice said, shifting his body toward her face. "Kouri?"
She stiffened at his voice saying her name. This...this couldn't be real. She had heard this boy call her name for years and years...did she hit her head? Was she still dreaming? Surely this had to be a fever dream at best.
After a moment, she let her eyes flutter open. The room had dark, warm walls. It had stark white counters smattered with various equipment and supplies on the left, while on the right was an antique desk with a sensible computer and large black desk chair, full of paperwork. The nurse stood from the chair and clacked over toward Kouri, while Dr. Turner turned away, almost seeming embarrassed to have been found there.
Kouri focused her attention on the nurse, afraid to look at the eyes that were studying her so intense she felt like she was on fire. Her cheeks were turning red as she set her jaw. Nurse Franklin placed the back of her hand on Kouri's forehead, ever frowning. She clicked her tongue and turned toward her counters.
"Temperature is normal," she mumbled, rummaging along her things. She pulled out a bottle and shook it, turning back toward Kouri. "Take this tonight if you're still feeling shaken. Come see me in the morning and we'll do some blood testing. We'll discuss treatment."
Kouri sat up, looking skeptically at the bottle in her hand. Nurse Franklin merely scoffed and muttered something about iron pills before motioning for Dr. Turner to step out into the hall. Kouri watched them intently, keeping her gaze on her teacher's back until the door clicked shut. She glanced everywhere back down near her feet where those piercing eyes were still watching, waiting.
"Are you okay?"
Shit. Why was she so startled now? Kouri had always fantasized of meeting the one from her dreams and here HE was. But she couldn't control her heart rate and she didn't want to faint again. Her eyes darted toward the floor where her shoes lay.
She had to get out. She slid out from under the covers, aware that her clothes were damp - probably from hitting the grass, she guessed. She quickly slipped her shoes on, not bothering to tie them. Her bag was near the door as she stepped quickly toward it.
"W-wait, hold on. Where are you -"
"T-Thank you," Kouri croaked, barely above a whisper.
That seemed to stun the boy long enough for her to grab her back and step out. The nurse and her teacher were just down the hall in the opposite direction she went. She needed to get back to her room. Now. Away from this fever dream - whatever this was.
The evening air hit her and she gasped at the nights spring air. She would have to go looking for her coat later, she reminded herself as she dashed toward the dorms. It was late - she wasn't sure how late, but save for the lamp posts lighting the walkways, there weren't any extra lights on from the dormitory windows. She'd have to be quiet when she got her room.
Not that it was hard to do. She crept through the suddenly eery halls and up the steps to the third floor. Her room was at the top, all the way down. She was grateful for the extra windows having the corner room, but hated the trek all the way up and over. Tonight seemed especially difficult. Her hip was killing her - probably bruised.
She'd worry about that later. For now, she was suddenly exhausted from all the adrenaline of escaping that awkwardness. She scrambled out of her clothes, fumbled into a nightgown, and barely made it to her bed before she heard a knock at her door.
"Kouri," he murmured. "Are you okay?"