"What the actual hell were you thinking!" She fumed quietly.
I stared at the hand that was wrapped around my wrist. Her warmth poured into my body and circulated through my blood.
After taking the boy's sneakers and standing she had managed to grab my wrist amongst the commotion. I could only assume she was taking me to infirmary since she kept looking at the bruising on my other wrist.
"I mean honestly!" She huffed. "Parker could have handled it all on his own! His uncle runs the god damn place for heavens sake! And all for a pair of sneakers!"
I didn't bother to respond and let her continue to rant all the way through the crowds of people ready to close the day.
"Hello?" She called when we arrived in the short time. "Can anyone help us out?"
"Oh hey Ari!" A girl responded with a large grin. Her blue eyes were unusually large and made me shift uncomfortably.
"Hey Lucky! Could you help us out?"
"Of course! How can I help you two out?" She asked cheerfully while looking at the both of us.
"This one got injured." Arianna pointed her chin at me.
The bubbly girl glanced at me with glinting eyes. "Is she the one that just got into a fight?"
"Yes, she's that idiot."
She stared at me for a few moments before smiling widely. "Please take a seat over here while it check your wounds!"
I took a seat on an empty and smooth bed causing it to creak softly.
"May I see your hands?"
I hesitated but showed her my hands regardlessly and she grabbed them gently.
"This bruise on your wrist is quite bad." She pursed her lips. "But it's not something a good ol' ice pack can't fix! There's also some ointment I can add for your knuckles."
I glanced at the injuries in my hand. My wrist was already turning black due to the encounter from earlier while my knuckles weren't cracked open but did exude a very bloody color. It doesn't hurt though, I pursed my lips.
"It doesn't seem like anything else is hurt!" She grinned. "You got really lucky to leave the fight unscathed!"
It had nothing to do with luck.
"I'll go get the ointment and ice pack! I'll be back in a sec'!"
We watched as she skipped away, then Arianna turned to me.
"I'm glad you're okay." Arianna sighed heavily. "I was really going crazy when I saw you in that ring with Tristan. You just looked so small I- I underestimated you. I'm sorry."
I glanced at her unable to look away from the look in her eyes, which was or at least looked sincere.
"I hope you'll forgive me uh-" she stopped and smiled awkwardly.
"Snow."
Her eyes widened. "Sorry?"
"My name is Snow." I spoke quietly
Her face brightened and a grin grew on her lips. "It suits you."
I hummed and began to pick on my fingertips, which were worn and tough.
"Arianna!"
A frantic call brought our attention to the entrance of the infirmary where a red-headed boy ran in. His eyes looking in every direction wildly until they made contact with mine across the long room.
"Are you okay!?" He asked frantically and nearly grabbed my hand.
"She's fine P." Arianna pushed him away from me. "It's just a couple of bruises."
"Let me see!" He moved again to grab my wrist but Arianna slapped his hands.
"Don't be rude."
"I think you're the one who's being rude." He pouted at her.
"Parker?"
Our eyes moved to the bubbly girl who had a sloppy grin whilst carrying the ointment and ice pack. Her eyes seemed to twinkle more than before as she stared at him.
"Oh hey Lucky!" The red-head grinned while waving at her. "How's being an apprentice doctor going?"
"Oh it's great! I get to help so many injured people and get to learn so many different things!" She beamed and blinked furiously while never looking away. "What's brought you here?"
"Oh I was just here to check on my friend!" He glanced at me.
Her smile seemed to slightly fall as she glanced at the back of the red head with a sullen expression. Her eyes then moved towards me, narrowed and unkind.
"So is it serious?"
As quickly as he was able to turn around her dark expression turned back into a bubbly one.
"Not at all!" She laughed. "Why? Are you worried for her?"
He laughed sheepishly and rubbed his neck. "Of course! She's my uncle's guest!"
Arianna let out a snort and I glanced at her. Her eyes and lips were crinkled in amusement as their awkward conversation continued. What's wrong? I looked back at the two in confusion.
"A guest?" She tilted her head.
"Ah yeah, she's simply gathering her energy before heading back outside." The red-head prattled.
"Oh."
"Are those for her?" He motioned at the medication in the girls hands. She nodded furiously and he smiled, "I can add the medication so you can go help others!"
"But-"
"Don't worry about it!" He grinned, spinning her by the shoulders and pushing her gently away.
"O-okay! Bye!" She stuttered.
"Bye Lucky! I'll see you later!"
Arianna and I watched as she walked away with her head hanging as he waved at her back.
"That poor child." Arianna sighed. "She's going up against a rock."
I scrunched my eyebrows and looked at her.
"Oh, it just means her feelings will never reach him." She explained quietly.
"Feelings?"
She smiled and nodded. "She likes him."
"Likes who?" The red-head came back with his hands full and a bright grin.
Arianna leaned back. "It's nothing."
"Don't tell me you love me Ari?" He teased.
"Of course not." Arianna responded in a heart beat. "I think I would rather take my chances outside than like you."
His lips tightened and he nodded. "Probably because you have no heart. Anyway," he turned to me, "let me help you put the stuff on."
I shook my head and held out my hand.
"It's okay, I can apply the ointment." He insisted as he reached for my hand.
I pulled my hand back. "I can do it."
"No I'll do it." He insisted with a smile and reached for my hand again.
I narrowed my eyes and prepared myself to take drastic measures but Arianna spoke up harshly. "Parker!"
He flinched and silently gave up the items in his hand, placing them gently in mine.
They watched as I scooped up some of the ointment and rubbed them on my small injuries, the substance feeling icky and smooth against my skin.
"Does it hurt less?" The red head asked. "Is it cooling enough?"
My lips twitched in amusement. This stuff isn't cold enough to affect me, it simply feels like gel and nothing more. I closed the lid to the ointment and help out the jar to Arianna, who took it quickly.
"Seems like there's nothing more we can do." Arianna sprang up from the bed and dusted off her knees. "Let's get going, it's almost curfew."
I stood up after her, scooping up my new shoes and making my way towards the entrance.
"Hey," the red-head started, "what you did today was dangerous. To go up against someone like that-"
I didn't spare him a glance.
"You could have gotten hurt." He whispered. "You could have been taken out of there in a stretcher with broken limbs or worse-"
I glanced over to him. His eyes were soft, full of worry and fear, as if I were someone he knew, someone precious to him. Don't make me laugh.
"You could've died."
Scoffing, I looked back at the area in front of me. How nice would that have been. To have one final dance with death after so many.
"I'm back!" Arianna called behind us. "Parker, Lucky was wondering if you would at least have the decency to say goodbye. She didn't say it that way but I'm pretty sure she meant it."
I heard him sigh before stepping back into the infirmary. "I'll catch up to you guys."
"Bye!" Arianna waved with a smile before turning back to me. "Let's go quickly so that he doesn't catch up."
Together we walked hurriedly across the tunnels, careful enough to avoid any incidents along the way. We passed the empty laundry room and passed the slightly occupied shower house before finally making our way to the dorm.
Arianna glanced behind with a toothy grin. "It seems that Lucky distracted him long enough." She glanced at the door decorated with a number six then back at me. "Want me to walk you to your room?"
I shook my head.
"Alright, goodnight!" She waves and entered her room.
I nod and walk down the hallway, which was erupting with several different noises. Some brought laughter and giggles, others useless chatter or gossip. Nevertheless, all that noise made me walk stiffly and awkwardly towards my assigned spot.
Walking into the room brought it to a complete silence. The others were huddled together, laughing but immediately dispersed when I came in. I glanced around the room as they pretended to be occupied with useless things like the edges of their clothes. I then hobbled towards my bed, placing my new shoes on the floor and removed my shoes to place them inside my backpack.
The squeaking of my bed as I laid down was the only thing that rang out throughout the room. Even though I was faced towards the wall, I could sense each one of their stares. Do they have nothing else to do?
Slowly and quietly they went back to chatting amongst themselves, ignoring the silent creature in the room.
"Are you excited for tomorrow's film?"
"Well sometimes I hope that Mr. Small wasn't such a space fanatic but it's better than nothing!" They laughed.
"I personally like space movies."
I closed my eyes and breathed in slowly. The image of the starry sky filled my mind. The little twinkling white lights were the only thing illuminating the world alongside their mother the moon. I felt the cold breeze of a summer night along with the chirping of the insects and owls among the trees. I remembered reaching towards the sky with longing.
"Would you like to go to space?"
To be enveloped by that dark blue, who wouldn't? The idea of it sounds strangely pleasant.
"Maybe one day we will again."
Before someone could respond to that statement a loud shout was heard outside repeatedly, indicating it was time for everyone to go to their respective places.
They continued to chat, the rustling of their sheets accompanying them. Moments later the lights went out and we were swallowed by the dark.
"Goodnight girls."
A string of goodnights followed and soon after silence.
I laid in bed until I knew that each one of them were asleep, their breathing in a rhythmic motion. I sat up and positioned myself against the wall, making sure not to make a sound. Each one of them seemed to be sleeping comfortably, either laying quietly or tossing around.
I slid off my hood and took off my hat. Running my hand through my hair, I let out a small sigh. The slightly cold air touched the tips of my ear and I close my eyes.
"Your hair is so pretty!" Ness laughed while grabbing my hair tenderly. "It's like a field of snow!"
"A field of snow?" I giggled.
"Yep! In winter when everything is beautiful!"
"I prefer your smile though." I narrowed my eyes.
Gasping, she covered her lips. "No! It's mine!"
I growled and suddenly raised my hands. "I'm going to take it from you!"
"No!"
She squealed and ran as I chased her around the house.
Her giggles echoed throughout my head, but another sound grappled me back to the present.
"No! No!" Her scream was ear piercing and heart stopping.
My eyes flew open and in the direction of the fierce-looking girl. I watched as she scrambled upward and out of bed, most of her friends equally awake.
"Brye go get help!" The short one commanded and the girl next to her nodded. She grabbed a small flashlight and ran out the door, not bothering to take anything else.
I kept my eyes on the girl who continued to scream. Her hands were over her ears as she cried and caved her body inwards.
"Sani, you're okay!" They attempted to get closer, having a small flashlight to guide them.
"No! No! Don't come near me!"
"Sani it's us! Liz and Dan! We're your friends!" Her voice was shaky as she made an effort to hold her friend's hand.
They need help.
"Don't touch me! Don't touch me!" She slapped the girls hand and swung at her. As her friends retreated she stepped backwards, towards the door, her eyes glazed and afraid.
"Sani please! It's us!"
"No!" She cried. "No!"
I stood up, my eyes unwavering from the girl. They glanced at me and were about to say something but I calmly pressed a finger against my lip.
Call out her name softly.
"Sani." I whispered gently.
"Leave me alone!"
Again.
"Sani."
Tell her to breathe and breathe with her.
"Sani, I need you to breathe. Okay? Breathe with me, in," I inhaled, "out."
"No!" She shook her head.
"Sani breathe. Tell me what you see. Are you in danger?"
Her breathing seemed to slow down.
There you go, keep going.
"Sani breathe. What do you see?"
She blinked dazedly.
"I won't hurt you. I promise." I motioned towards her friends who stood behind me, stifling their sobs. "They won't hurt you either. Do you know them Sani?"
She forced her trembling body to look behind me and a stifled sob came out.
"You're safe now Sani. You're okay."
She glanced at her surroundings then back at her friends. After a weak whimper she fell to her knees and began to sob uncontrollably. Her wails and tears adorning her face, in a twisted and awful way.
I stepped aside as her friends rushed to hug her, sobbing alongside her.
"Oh Sani!" One of them cried and patted her hair. "You're okay. We're here."
I watched as their loud commotion became quiet in my ears, as I was no longer able to hear the crowds that gathered outside the door and their incessant chatter.
I could only hear the thumping of my heart. Louder and louder.
I saw myself lying on the floor, my ears covered by my hands. My eyes producing rivers of salty tears. My throat red from the nonstop screaming. Only I was alone. No one to hug me with tears in their eyes. No one to tell me that it was okay.
I was alone and afraid.
I watched,
and watched,
and watched.
But no one came.