~~Ashley's POV~~
The next time my eyes came open, a slight headache followed. I squinted immediately to impede the rays of light passing through. Sweeping through the view, I first caught sight of the white ceiling over me, then the drip bag hanging on the pole beside me. The moment my eyes met with the latter, lying suddenly felt uncomfortable. I sprung up at once and pulled out the line connected to my hand with force, unmindful of the repercussions. Sitting up, I scanned the view one more time and confirmed my location. I was in the infirmary. Now, I wanted to leave. I heaved a sigh and jumped down the bed.
*Spin*
"Oh shit..." I sighed. I must have used more than usual force to get off considering how the space around me spun. My wobbling legs could not carry my body all by itself; I needed extra support. Reaching my hands out, I staggered to the nearest support – the window frame.
I heard the door slide open.
I didn't mind it, and tried to hold the frame, and when I thought I was close enough…
'Oops.' My fingers only grazed it, and now I was sure I would fall.
"Easy," I heard the familiar voice stress, then felt an arm around my waist while mine went around the shoulders.
I closed my eyes to pull myself together before opening them carefully and turning to see who it was.
It was him. Again.
Blue eyes.
Derisive voices and laughter.
A figure walking in to save the day.
The memory I didn't fight for walked back to me on its own when our eyes jammed.
Silly me tried to get away from him, but instantly felt regret when my balance almost failed me. He caught my arm again and walked me to the bed.
"Sit." With a nudge on my shoulders, he made me obey. "I stepped out to call Archer. He'll be here soon." He stated simply and just walked out the room.
Now, I felt guilty. It was like he was saying I didn't have to feel uneasy because he was leaving already. I knew I needed to thank him but in the end, could not muster the courage. Maybe he wasn't as bad as the picture I painted. 'Silly me.'
*Door slides open*
I raised my head to see the lady adorned in a white lab coat, presumably a doctor.
"Hey there. Are you okay?" You've only been out for thirty minutes. Don't you need to sleep more?" she bombarded, denying me the chance to reply even one with those eyes gleaming with confusion and worry, sweeping over me. I must have scared her.
"I'm fine," I said, almost whispering.
"Don't you need a doctor? I was about to put a call across to the main hospital to have you transferred. Are you sure you're okay?"
Excellent. Now my condition had been exposed. I knew after the incident earlier, that it was only a matter of time before it topped the chart. Miss Antonia offered me solutions. But I chose to neglect them. I cussed inwardly for letting my guard down.
But who told them about my phobia?
How did they know I'd react that way if they had blue lenses on?
Archer? Even Archer didn't know. So who?
"Miss Ashley?" She waved across my face.
I flinched. "Yeah?"
"I was asking if you would not go to the main hospital instead. I think you need to be checked." I didn't hear that since I was lost in thoughts.
I appreciated the concern but that sassy part of Ashley was cringed, feeling she was overdoing the whole care and concern stuff. "I'm fine." I pouted my lips and looked away.
"If you say so then. Rest a little more." She turned around to leave.
"Ummm…" I voiced, compelling her to pause and turn back to me.
"Yeah?" she replied tenderly.
"The guy. With the long hair in a ponytail and black hoodie…"
"Oh, the guy who brought you here?" I wasn't even done speaking before she confirmed my fears. I already knew he was the one but a part of me still hoped I was mistaken. I didn't want to feel indebted to the blue-eyed guy in any way.
I heaved a sigh.
"Is there a problem?"
"No." I feigned a smile.
"Ashley!" Archer forced the door open and now he was dashing in. "What happened to you?"
'Where were you when I needed you the most?!' I wanted to yell.
"Tell your girlfriend I'll be sure to repay the favor," I deadpanned, averting his direct gaze. "Thanks, ma'am," standing up, I said to the lady and then walked past the pair.
"Ashley! Ashley!!" He hailed repeatedly, trying to stop me but I ignored all of it and just walked out of the room.
I was being petty, I know. But I was pained. I was immensely weighed down with the feeling that everything had already gone south. His sympathy, presence, everything was late! Not only was my phobia now in the open, I now had to live with the fact that I was now indebted to the one guy I scorned. Archer should not be blamed, but objective thinking was a luxury I couldn't afford then. I just had to walk out.
In The Class...
I saw the blue-eyed guy. He was also staring at me. I knew I needed to express my thanks but something held me back. I didn't know how to walk over and say thank you to him.
Hol'up.
Why did he take me to the infirmary instead of the school's hospital? Or rather, how did he know to take me to the infirmary? It felt like he knew I could recover on my own but carried me out to play the hero. Or was it my guilt playing mind games with me? Giving me reasons to withhold a 'thank you?'
*Sigh* No progress would be made standing at one point for several minutes.
I walked up to him.
We held each other's stares for a moment. He gave me that teasing look again. Good gracious! How was I supposed to say thank you to this jerk?
I then became conscious of my countenance. If I was going to thank him, I needed to look just as genuine. Besides, if not for anything, I was grateful he saved the day before anything spiraled out of control.
I inhaled deeply. He still stared with lips curved slightly in a smile. A mischievous one at that.
"Tha…"
"Ahhh," he cut me off. "Don't you think you need to rest at home? Come, I'll take you." He stood up and crossed to my seat a few paces away. He packed my bags for me while I simply watched from a distance as if my feet were glued, preventing me from moving an inch.
He walked back to me, picked up his already packed bag, strapped it around the other shoulder, and now looked at me.
"I know I'm handsome but you'll bore a hole through my skin if you keep looking at me like that," he remarked sarcastically. I looked away. I can't believe I almost forgot what a narcissistic jerk he was.
"Come on." He took my hand in his. It was the first time our palms came in contact like this. They felt cold, yet his hold was warm.
'The hell am I thinking?' I shrugged.
We came to a halt face-to-face with Sakura and Hana who were walking in, at the door. Subconsciously, I tightened my grip and stared up at him like a child seeking protection. Feeling scared now? I had some work to do on my feelings for sure.
He flashed me one of those smiles I never understood and then veered to the duo.
He let go of me and walked to them. He patted Sakura's head nicely and then trailed the same hand to her shoulder. Holding it, he leaned down to whisper something into her ears.
I watched the nonchalance her eyes emitted get pushed aside by horror as they suddenly were wide open. Then her lids fluttered and her face twitched like she was grimacing in pain and still trying to keep a straight face. What was he saying or doing to her?
He straightened up now and just stared down at her. Her eyes blazed; anger was involved now. He flashed her a smile before turning briefly to Hana who assumed a pompous pose with folded arms. Probably to tell him she wasn't going to fall for his nonsense. He however didn't look like he intended to do anything funny since he had the smile still on.
"Have a great day," he told them.
"C'mon."
"Huh?" I was flustered by how suddenly he grabbed my hand and was leading me out of the class.
It was not until we were almost leaving the main building that I realized we still held hands. Taking caution, I pulled out of his hold, standing a few inches behind.
He turned to look at me.
"I'll take it from here," I rushed to say, avoiding direct eye contact. "Thanks for today," I concluded and sped off.
Pacing out, I twisted my face in disappointment. Not in him, but in myself. I knew that was one hell of a sloppy appreciation but as usual, the words left my mouth without my full consent. I was gonna go home, think about it again, and come back with a more suitable 'thanks.'
'For now, Ashley, let's get outta here.'