Kouri sat down the next day in the nurses office, trying not to think about what had transpired last night. Her eyes were heavy from lack of sleep. She took a deep breath and sat straighter, trying to keep them open.
"Stop fidgeting," Nurse Franklin tutted. "You're almost done."
"Sorry," Kouri muttered, trying to stifle a yawn.
"You should go back to your dorm and rest, Ms. Lyle. I don't want you up and around today. Not after what happened yesterday."
Easy for you to say, she thought. But Kouri only nodded in response, watching as Nurse Franklin took the needle from her arm and placed a bandage over the mark it had made. Dismissed, Kouri stepped back out onto the lawn, noting how many people were rushing toward their morning classes. Cautiously, she took a step out into the dreary morning sun, keeping her head down and her hood over her head.
She'd found her coat at her door that morning. She had a suspicion on where it had come from, but she was trying very hard not to think about it right then. She needed to get back to her room and attempt to get some sleep. How that was going to happen, though, she wasn't sure.
Kouri's mind had been racing nonstop since Jaco had left her room last night. He was upset and for some reason, it really bothered her. She was left with more questions than answers by his response to her question last night.
"You didn't want to remember."
Why? Was it true? Did Kouri's previous life love Jaco? Did she want to forget in this life? If she did, was there a reason for it? Did Jaco love her as she was now?
Was there even a former life?
That had to be true. At least, as far as her dreams were concerned. Kouri couldn't shake how surreal it all was and yet...it made sense. Her hand had just barely turned the knob to her room when she heard someone clear their throat next to her.
Startled, she jumped, then grimaced as her hip began to throb in disdain. She turned her head to see a girl next to her.
She was gorgeous. Her hair was long, straight, and a raven black. Her eyes were a piercing shade of blue and they were drawn out more by the dark charcoal around her eyes. Her uniform was decorated with a golden, shimmering cardigan that was oversized, along with a golden chain that complimented some small hoops in her ears. Her mouth was a soft peachy color, that was pressed into a thin, unhappy expression.
"Yes...?" Kouri muttered. Clearly this girl wanted SOMETHING from her.
"How do you know him," she demanded.
"Uh. Who?"
The grimace on the girls face only worsened - it made her look less pretty. "You KNOW who, ghost girl. Jaco!"
Ghost girl. That was new.
"I-I don't." Kouri silently cursed herself for stammering.
"Cut the shit. We heard him yesterday, saying your name and helping you."
"I really don't," she said, crossing her arms to try and hide herself. "I don't know anybody here, actually. Who...who are you?"
"Eff you! How can you NOT know who I AM?!"
Kouri backed against the wall, holding herself back. This girl was mad and ready for answers. Whatever answers she thought Kouri knew.
"Sorry...I uh, I'm not good with names."
The girl scoffed and place her hands on her hips. "The name is Claire. Remember that ghost girl. You do NOT want to get on my bad side."
In one motion, Claire was towering over Kouri like it was nothing. Kouri felt very small as she suddenly felt the need to cower from this girl. The threatening glare Claire gave was the least of Kouri's problems and yet it was just another thing to add to to them.
"I'm asking again," Claire snarked. "How do you know him?"
"I-I," Kouri gulped some shallow air, trying to think of something to try and appease this girl. Make her go away.
"Well?!"
Shit.
"He was a childhood friend," she finally blurted. "B-but I haven't seen him in - in years."
Seemingly satiated, Claire stepped back, just enough to puff out her chest. "Well, ghost girl. Stay away. He's mine, now."
Kouri blinked, something like anger or defense at that remark filled her. "You don't even know him."
Claire seemed moldy surprised. Amused even. The laugh she let out was cackling at its finest.
"Ghost Girl, you are NO competition for me. You clear? Step down and back off."
Then she swung her fist, just an inch from Kouri's face, which made her knock her head against the wall. Smirking, Claire walked away. Kouri waited for her to get down the steps before creeping to her door.