Chapter 4 I Did Not Look Back
483 Words
I stayed cooped up in my room for two full days.
My parents were out of town on a business trip, so I was all alone at home.
I came down with a high fever. My whole body burned hot, and every muscle and joint ached terribly.
I knew it was the aftereffect of heat exhaustion and terrible shock.
I pulled out the first-aid kit, popped a few fever pills without a second thought, and then drifted off into a heavy, drowsy sleep.
In my dream, I was back on the wind turbine once again. I spun around and around endlessly, while Lane and Hattie looked up at me with mocking smiles.
A phone call suddenly jolted me awake. It was Darren Lloyd, Lane's best friend.
He sounded really worried as he spoke. "Isabella, Lane got hurt while playing ball. We can't get in touch with his parents right now. Please come over to the hospital fast."
I hesitated for a little while. In the end, I grabbed my coat, hailed a taxi, and rushed straight to the hospital.
I learned the truth once I got there—Lane had only twisted his ankle during the game.
The injury was not serious at all, yet he insisted on checking into a hospital room.
Hattie sat beside his bed, feeding him soup slowly.
That sight stung me deeply.
Lane frowned when he saw me. "What took you so long? Why is your face all red?"
He reached out to feel my forehead, then quickly pulled his hand away. "You're burning up. Do you have a fever?"
My voice was rough and hoarse. "I'm okay."
"If that's the case, go finish my admission paperwork. Then head to the restaurant next door and get a cream pie—Hattie's hungry." He spoke in a tone that took everything for granted, as if I were just someone who worked for him.
I was still running a bad fever, but he only cared whether Hattie was hungry or not.
I stood rooted to the spot and stared straight at him.
My gaze made him feel uncomfortable. "What are you staring at? Hurry up and go!"
Hattie tugged gently at his sleeve and spoke in a soft voice. "Lane, let it go. I can go buy it myself. Isabella looks like she's feeling sick."
The more she acted like this, the more it seemed as if I was throwing a petty tantrum.
Just as I expected, Lane grew even more impatient. "There's nothing wrong with her. She's always been tough. I spoiled her too much, and now she's just being overly dramatic."
My heart turned completely cold right then.
Even when I was actually sick, all he saw was me being unreasonable.
I turned on my heel and left.
"Where are you going? You haven't gotten the cream pie yet!" He shouted after me.
I did not look back.
- Writer
