When Will noticed that Rhea's eyes were opened, he spoke up. "Rhea? You're awake. How are you feeling?"
"I feel better," Rhea muttered.
"Rhea, I am so sorry for bringing you into my mess with Sasha."
"It's nothing" Rhea answered, adjusting her glasses. "You do not have to apologize."
"I have to. You would not have gotten hurt if not for me. I wish I could make it up to you. Is there any way to do that?"
Rhea stared at Will. She still can't comprehend Will's new attitude and she wonders if he has an interior motive.
Of course, he does!
He is only using her to get back at Sasha. He is trying to make Sasha jealous and she is the best candidate to do that with. Everyone knows how much Sasha hates her gut. She knows that she will only get hurt if she gets involved with him.
She sat up. "Will, there is no way to make it up to me because there is no need for that. We can't change what has already happened but we can prevent what hasn't. For us to prevent stuff like this from happening again, I think we should stay far away from each other, just like it was before. You don't have to be nice to me."
Will blinked. This wasn't the reply he wanted to hear from her but he could understand her. He had been friends with her for a day and she had gone through a lot already. He doesn't want to imagine what her life will be like if he doesn't keep his distance from her.
He stood up. "I understand you perfectly, Rhea, and I'm sorry for the trouble I have caused you so far. I will try to stay away from you as much as I can. I do not want to cause you any more pain. I hope you get better soon. I will take my leave now."
"I am fine already," she muttered, but he was already out of the door. She turned to face Louie who had been quiet for a while, just watching them without interrupting. "Do you think I was being harsh on him?" she asked and he shook his head in disapproval.
"No, you were not. You did the right thing."
"But, I..."
He placed his finger over her lips. "Shh... There is no but. Lay down and get some rest, okay?" he said and she nodded, lying down. He stood up. "I need to get back to the class. I will come back to check on you."
"Do you have to leave?" she whined and he smiled.
"I will be back soon, okay? Get some rest and stop being a crying baby."
After Louie left, Rhea became bored. She couldn't imagine staying here all by herself. She thought about a few things to do until she was discharged but none of the thoughts seemed possible. She closed her eyes, hoping she could fall asleep.
She kept adjusting herself on the bed and she would not stop staring at the wall clock either. It seemed like the day was not going to end soon and she couldn't return to her class unless the nurse asked her to. Even after trying to convince her that she feels better now, the nurse insisted that she stay back.
"Do you still feel bored?" someone asked and she thought that to be the new nurse.
Rhea sat up to look at her. Just a few days ago the old nurse had left because she needed to go back home and take care of her sick Mother. Rhea had prayed that the new nurse coming would be as nice as the old one. When another nurse showed up two days ago, Rhea was happy but she left yesterday. Rumor had it that she got bullied by the students and she left in anger.
"You must be the new nurse," Rhea said and she nodded.
"I am Leslie. What's your name?"
"Rhea."
"Rhea, that's a beautiful name. You look so much like my sister."
"Like your sister?"
Leslie nodded. "Yes. Your wound..."
Rhea nodded. "It has been attended to, by the temporary nurse and I feel better now."
"That is good to hear but I might as well check."
Rhea shrugged. "When you are done, can I return?"
"No, you can't. The Principal insisted that you stay until it's time to go home."
"You can't keep me here for that long," she murmured.
"What did you say?" Leslie asked.
"I said it's going to be a long boring day."
"But it's almost time to go home."
Rhea looked at the wall clock. "Yes, but I still feel bored."
"Then you can play a game with me if you want to," Leslie said and Rhea smiled.
"That's a good idea but I can hardly play any game."
"Then do you want to hear a story?"
Rhea nodded. "That's a good idea."
"A long time ago," Leslie began, and Rhea adjusted herself to a comfortable position. "About a thousand centuries ago," she continued. "There used to be mermaids and mermen living in coexistence. Everyone maintained their space and never had reason to get involved with the other. The mermaids called their place the Blue Sea because their sea was blue and sometimes a greenish blue, so beautiful and alluring. Do you know what the mermen call their sea?" the nurse asked.
"No?"
"Do you want to make a guess?"
Rhea shrugged. "The Red Sea?"
The nurse laughed. "No. The Ice Sea. Do you know why?"
"Their sea was filled with ice?"
The nurse nodded. "Exactly. Their sea was full of ice and very cold. This made the mermen long for the Blue Sea but they could not get close to it. Do you want to know why?"
Rhea nodded. "I will love to."
"The mermaids had a secret. A secret that is known by the royal families. There is also another family that knows about it. They are the lady royals. They..."
There was a knock on the door and Louie walked in.
"Did I interrupt something?" he asked, walking closer to them.
"No, you did not," Leslie answered, standing up.
"She is the new nurse. Her name is Leslie." Rhea said, introducing Leslie to Louie.
"I know. She was the one who attended to you when we brought you in."
Rhea furrowed her brows. "I thought it was the temporary nurse."
Louie smiled, shaking his head negatively and Rhea blinked.
She must have gotten it wrong!