***
Rain pressed against the classroom windows, relentless and cold, as if it had decided not to leave anytime soon. I couldn't believe it had been raining almost all day. I hate getting soaked, hate the cold, hate everything about it. Oh well, whatever.
In front of the class, the teacher kept rambling on about all sorts of things, the sound of chalk tapping the board, over and over. I wish I could be like other students. They always seem to be so focused.
I just hoped it would be over soon.
「Mya, answer question number 2.」
The teacher's finger landed on me without mercy. How could this day get any worse?
「Um...」
Yeah, he'll definitely scold me for the rest of the class.
...
Finally the class ended. I stood up quickly, gathering my belongings then rushed out of the class, almost tripped over my own feet.
Oh, it's so cold outside. The breeze hit me like a wall.
「I need to go home quickly.」
I told myself as I hurried to my locker and slipped into my hoodie. The moment my hand wrapped around the umbrella—
-BANG-
...
I froze.
Why did I stop? I could have just gone home already. Why was I even doing this? After a while, I found myself standing there.
Was that Blair?
She was lying on the floor, papers scattered everywhere. She probably needed some help.
「Hey! Are you okay?」
「Y-yes…」
「Let me take you to the infirmary.」
She nodded slightly. I helped her to her feet and supported her as we walked toward the infirmary. Up close, I could see bruises on her thigh and scratches on her knee.
「That looks bad.」
「It's okay… you don't have to worry.」Her voice trembled.
「Nonsense.」
A beat, then she nodded, just slightly. I almost missed it. I let her lean on me as we walked, I could feel her heat against me. She smelled like old books, but I...I shouldn't care about that. Really shouldn't.
***
It's so irritating....I thought to myself. I should just have gone home now, but here I was, standing awkwardly in front of the infirmary.
「Why should I wait for her?」 I muttered to myself. I don't have to—I snapped my thought, I have to help her.
From inside...I could hear some small sobs, she was probably whining in there, maybe it hurt more than the way she showed? But—but that wasn't my business.
The tick-tock sound of the clock echoing through my ears, a beat then two, then I lost count, she went out, her leg wrapped in a clean white bandage, but her face looked pale and tired. She looked almost...vulnerable, so fragile that I wouldn't dare to break.
「You look terrible. Can you walk back home?」I asked her gently.
「I can, you don't have to worry that much」Blair said, avoiding eye contact and hugging herself.
「Not convinced, you can barely stand on your legs.」I sighed.
Before she could protest, I wrapped her arm around my shoulder then helped her go outside. Her body leaned into mine...the way our body fit together...ughh what I'm even thinking!
「Thanks」the word coming out slightly, too small to be audible. But couldn't miss it though.
Outside, the freaking rain still there—but looking at her like this....for now. I won't mind being wet.
***