"Buckle up children."
"Nana, the office is only five minutes away, why bother?"
"Hush boy! I'm not risking an accident or ticket with a patient in the car. Think of the lawsuits!"
"But it's fine if I get into an accident or a ticket?"
"I'll just take the money from your commission jar. Besides, it's not like you listen to me anyways, maybe you'll finally learn something." Elias simply chuckled, but did indeed put on his seatbelt. Zenobia found herself uncomfortable as she followed suit.
For all the confidence of kicking the boy's ass, she had before she was feeling pretty awkward being in Jennifer's car. She still couldn't believe that both the elderly doctor was here to pick her up for a check-up AND that her mother approved it. Though…if Ms. Mude was really related to them, she could see her old hag, allowing it. Still, she didn't see the point.
Zenobia had looked up information on sprains. With how many hours she spent searching her phone, she may as well be a doctor. The teen took pride into her research skills. She knew everything and anything she needed, though it helped that every site pretty much repeated themselves.
1-Use the crutches.
2-Slowly ease into applying weight onto her ankle if needing to walk with it.
3-Take a bath, soaking the injury.
4-Apply pain lotions onto the injured part of the ankle before wrapping it in a somewhat tight bandage.
Doing all that for a couple days equaled a perfect recovery. Sure, she ignored the parts abot her taking it easy, but in all honesty, who actually relaxed while injured? It was no differant than how she handled colds and other minor injuries up until now.
She was fine. Apparently, everyone else disagreed with her, leading to this little drive down the street. It was actually surprising how close the office was to both the park and the school. Then again, there was a difference between walking and driving.
A small sigh escaped her when she bounced slightly to the crunching gravel beneath the tires. It only lasted for a minute before the three of them jerked to a halt. They arrived. Jennifer cut the engine before facing the two teens.
"Home sweet home! Grab her stuff, Elias." With a salute, her grandson got out of the car, only to open the back passenger side so he could take her backpack. By habit she reached for it, more than nervous letting it out of her sight, just for it to be swiped out of reach.
The prick had the gall to wave his finger in her direction. Patronizing pest! She couldn't see his face, but she knew he was grinning. Any closer and she would've smacked him.
"Nuh uh. Nana ordered me to grab it, don't ignore her or it'll be a good few bops to the head. I would know, I've lived to tell the tale."
"You'll get some more if you don't stop annoying the poor girl. Give me your hand, Zenobia, I'll help you out." Grateful for the distraction, she placed her hand in Jennifer's, carefully stepping out with her good foot. With relief she took the crutches offered to her before following the doctor towards the door.
Elias (of course) was already there, unlocking the door with his key. Suddenly, Jennifer stopped midstep, nearly causing Zenobia to stumble into her. Carefully yet efficiently, the older woman guided Zenobia to hop off just slightly to the side. It was strange, even more so when the elder woman gripped her shoulder, keeping the both of them in place.
She tilted her head in confusion. Her mouth opened to ask, when she paused. Scratching noises against the door? The answer barreled out when Elias opened the door.
"Arrrooooooo!" Oh yeah…she forgot. They have a dog. Who looked more than happy to see her owners as she pounced on Elias, forcing him on his back. Her tail wagged while she licked and licked. Jennifer sighed, offering her patient a smile while calling out.
"Control that dog of yours."
"Rosette's an angel. There's nothing to control."
"If I didn't think better of it, she would've jumped all over Zenobia."
"No she wouldn't. Rosette knows better." As if to prove his point, the dog in question pranced to the injured student. A whine escaped the retriever as she nuzzled Zenobia's hip. In response, their injured guest carefully set her hand down.
Rosette licked it, then tugged on her sleeve with her teeth. It was as if Rosette was urging her inside while Zenobia fumbled forward towards the door. Elias in the meantime stood up posing triumpantly at his Nana.
"Told you! See? She's even trying to escort her to the patient room." Jennifer muttered something under her breath.
What it was, Zenobia had no clue. In any case, it seemed unimportant as she was indeed escorted in. Just like the first time, she plopped into her seat, trying to get comfortable. Rosette, the loyal good girl she was, laid right by her feet.
Scanning around, there were certainly a few differences than when she arrived here a few days ago. The biggest was Elias standing right by the door with his arms crossed. He stood, widening his stance to where he covered most of it from view. Was he-actually guarding it?
Did he really think she was going to leave the moment they turned away? Yes, she did that before but those were very specific circumstances! Last time, he forcefully invited her(kidnapped her) when she had to get home. Things had to get done!
That wasn't the case now. She got permission from both her mother and the principal to be here, so there was no plans to bolt. Besides, even if she wanted to…she was tired. Crutches or not, a repeated escape attempt couldn't happen.
That still didn't stop her from sighing while being scrutinized. Not a good start to her check up if her self-appointed doctor frowned. The moment Zenobia felt those wrinkled hands on her ankle she winced, barely biting back a yelp. Jennifer clucked her tongue in disapproval.
"Seems you've been overdoing it."
"I've been using the crutches and keeping pressure off it."
"The whole time since you left?" It was a trick question. Zenobia could tell. Like with her grandson, Jennifer had a sparkle in those knowing eyes of hers.
One that made the teen turn away, accidentally meeting Elias. His mask was off at this point, revealing a pointed look. Without words he dared her to lie to his grandmother-to try tricking her. She wasn't going to, thank you very much.
Maybe Zenobia would've bent the truth a tad. Withheld just a tiny bit of information so she could get out of the patient chair. The looks given to her made her rethink that. She sighed again.
"No…I took a bus and walked home after I left your office. After that, I've been using crutches to get around."
"Where did you get dropped off at?"
"Momoka district. My house was about ten minutes away from the bus stop." She noticed him specifically take a sharp breath. Meanwhile the good doctor clucked her tongue again, frowning even deeper this time.
She was fine! And she would've said as such if they stared anywhere else other than where she sat. Even Rosette whined from her spot on the floor. The lovable pooch pressed her face up to rub against Zenobia's good leg when Jennifer stepped away.
"It's a miracle you didn't fracture it. Despite what online sources say about a sprain injury, especially when it's bad like this one...can take a few weeks."
"Oh..." Guess she was wrong after all. Though in her defense, she didn't think her sprain was too big a deal. Irritating and painful, sure, but not bad. Zenobia could only imagine how worse off she'd be without the crutches and the knowledge she did have.
"...keep taking it easy and you'll be good in no time. Now as terrible as it may sound, ill leave you to my foolish grandson to host you while i call the number Mary gave me for your mother."
She shook her head, returning to the gentle eyes of Elias' grandmother. The lovely woman, completely unaware of her spacing out, patted Zenobia kindly on her head before walking away. Elias snorted at her comment but otherwise said nothing. Instead he waited until she was out the door to speak up.
"Do you want to hang out in my room? I can promise it's more comfortable than Nana's chairs."
"Your room?" Zenobia found herself both skeptical and suspicious of him. What his grandmother said before leaving certainly did not help in her feeling secure. He waved his hand at her narrowed red eyes.
"I wont do anything, especially since I know you can kick my ass into next week. I just want to talk to you without Nana snooping in to chime out her two cents." Rosette perked up then. The mahogany furred golden retriever whined as she glanced Zenobia's way.
Oh no. The injured teen suddenly found herself uncomfortable under such expressions. Instead of one, she was forced to endure the pressure of two very strong puppy faces. He pressed his hands together as if in prayer, about ready to drop down to his knees.
With that combined with his milky white eyes trembling, she could only assume he would. Dammit-no way out. All she could do was nod in acceptance. Both man and dog cheered while she grabbed her crutches.
She tentatively pushed herself off the edge of her seat. Landing gracefully, she hobbled to follow the duo. Resisting the urge to smack him with the tip of one of her crutches she reached the end of the hallway. Elias opened the door the three waited in front of, only to then bow her way.
"Ladies first." Not really having any idea what to expect, she exhaled once, then hopped in. Her eyes widened as she glanced around.
"Wow..."