HEALING FROM YOU

CHAPTER 8

Seven hours sped quickly and soon they were buckled up to make their landing on Airport El Loa Calama. Even with the air conditioning in the flight, the moisture was seeping inside.

"It's not even summer." Eito said as he unfastened his shirt's top two buttons, revealing smooth, plain skin. Avi just nodded, focusing outside her window. She thought it was inappropriate to stare at his exposed chest, even though he doesn't seem to mind it. Besides, the place was of more interest to her than anatomy.

They were making it through the runway and slowing down. She could see sand surrounding the walls of airport and felt a wave of excitement wash through her. She has never been in a desert before, and some mere humidity was not going to stop her from enjoying it.

The captain announced the local time and temperature of the city. When he wished the tourists a happy stay, everyone cheered and clapped enthusiastically.

Eito helped Avi to get her bags and both of them followed the group to exit. Surprisingly the outside climate did not feel much humid or sticky. There was not any wind or breeze, but the air was chilly yet warm enough to undrape your coat.

"It feels nice. Doesn't it?"

Eito asked, and Avi just smiled at him, enjoying the new place silently. The airport staffs were gathered around here and there, minding their own business, and Avi had the sudden urge to go talk to them. She wanted to hear their language and let them know what a beautiful place it was. She was in fact craving for some native contact.

"You tired?" A sleepy-looking Ben asked with a light drool trailing down his chin.

"No, I am not."

Avi replied while taking out her hanky to wipe the mark from his face.

"Where is Mandy?" She asked as Ben just stood there pouting at the floor. Avi could immediately say that he was sleeping heavily before landing. Her best friend was not at all a morning person and had a poker face even after getting up from a nap.

"She is with her friends. Will meet once outside."

Just as he said that, Ben was harshly shoved to the side, making him fall over Avi. She stumbled with his weight on top and made a harsh contact with the floor.

"What the f**k?" Ben growled before getting up abruptly and turned to see Advik staring at them plainly. Eito was by Avi's side and helped her to her feet.

"You were blocking my way." He said indifferently, which infuriated Ben to no extent.

"You bloody..."

Benjamin grabbed the collar of AK's jacket and pushed him with force, Jason was trying to get in between them to stop a fight. But everyone was surprised to see Advik's reaction. He did not respond, did not even fight back. He was not even looking at Ben anymore. Instead, his eyes were trained on Aviana, or precisely on the blood that now trickled from her forehead.

"Oh my God, cupcake."

Zach ran to her side, but not before throwing a sharp glare towards Advik. Avi noticed the wetness and wiped it with the sleeve of her blouse without even flinching. She was used to the pain and blood that it didn't stimulate any emotion from her. While everyone was concerned with the wound, only one person watched the disinterest in her eyes.

Advik realized with a bit of a surprise that she was not everything he imagined her to be. She did not cry, nor was she angry. Although Eito tried to help her with the injury, she just wiped it again, telling him that it wasn't much, when in reality it was. She might have hit on a stone or something because the wound was a little deep.

Ben was so angry to see her bleeding again, such that he was about to punch AK's face when the teacher’s voice boomed from the other side.

"Benjamin Rutherford, stop it right there."

The middle-aged man stormed towards them, the crowd parting into two to make him space; and looked sharply at the two guys.

"You both will be sent back immediately if something like this happens again, and I don't care about the formalities. Understand? I will not tolerate this. And Miss. Delaney, come with me."

His words made Ben retrieve in anger and gave a pointed look at Advik, which meant 'this is not over'. AK, on the other hand, was still busy thinking about the casualness in the b***h's eyes even when she was hurt. Did he do that to her? Did he break her to this extent? Was he the reason for her indifference? And for the most important question, did he care?

..............

Aviana was escorted by the teacher and a staff to a small cubicle near to the restrooms.

"Please take a seat, Miss." The woman said before opening a small cabinet and taking out few cotton strips and a bottle of white solution.

"I am sorry, Aviana. Your father and George have asked me to keep an eye on you always, but I didn't think it would be necessary this soon."

Mr. John was a strict teacher and was the only one who did not separate students based on their financial background.

"I am okay, sir. It doesn't hurt much."

Avi assured him and he gave a brief nod in return before stomping out, probably to give another dose to the troublemakers.

The light brown-skinned woman smiled at Avy and patched up her head using the first aid kit.

"Thank you. And I am sorry for the burden." Avi apologized sincerely, and the woman smiled again.

"No problem, dearie. This is part of my job." She said and took Avi to the others waiting outside.

................

"Are you okay?"

Eito was the first one to approach her, and he looked concerned.

"I am perfect." Avi replied and searched for her best friend.

"Where is Ben?"

"Mr. John has them. Both Ben and that bastard. Disciplinary issues, my ass."

Mandy muttered as she scrutinized Avi's bandaged forehead. She looked like an angry Kitten about to scratch someone.

"God... He is such a moron." Zach said as he was joined by the others. He tried to probe on her bandage but was swatted away by Mandy.

Just as they discussed about her well-being, Mr. John entered the waiting area with Ben and AK in tow.

"Okay, children. Sorry for the inconvenience, but this won't happen again."

He gave a pointed look at the two trouble makers who walked to their respective groups of friends. Ben immediately threw a protective hand over Avi and whispered,

"You okay, princess?"

She winked at him and patted on his forearm reassuringly.

Mr. John talked with the other three teachers and a well build man who was probably going to be their guide. He looked to be in his early thirties. He definitely worked out and would have looked in his late twenties if it wasn't for the beard.

After the brief conversation, Mr. John motioned the man to proceed, and he took his position in front of the group.

"Good morning fellows, my name is Joaquin Tomas and I come from Puerto Varas, Chile. I will be your guide throughout your stay here. First of all, I want to give you a brief insight on where you are going. Alright?"

A chorus of "Yes" were heard, mostly from girls. Of course, these were hormonal kids and impressing a well build older guy would be their priority. Mr. Tomas avoided the sultry looks he got professionally, confirming Avi that this wasn't a first time for him.

"From here you will have to board a domestic flight to Diego Aracena International Airport or through road, where you should transfer the bus in between and will have stops often. The teachers have asked me to consider your opinion regarding the mode of transport. The flight and bus will take five and a half hours to reach."

Another chorus of "Flight..." was heard, but Mr. Tomas raised his hand to let him speak.

"The problem is that you should wait here for another hour in the lounge for the next flight and from Iquique you should travel by bus to your hotel, which will take another three hours. That will be approximately nine and a half hour. The choice is yours."

Now that was a tough decision to make. We could have directly boarded a flight from Peru to Iquique, but the cost was too high and we decided to save that money on extra activities instead of a comfortable journey.

The students had two opinions as some had health issues while travelling on bus, but the majority voted on the road trip.

"We are here to see the country anyway, so why not use the bus? Students who have sickness can use the window seat, and the rest can adjust. Besides, we make stops in between."

Angela, a studious student, and also a cheerleader from the group, spoke out loud and almost everyone nodded supportingly.

"It's fixed then."

Mr. John then asked for the students to get their luggage and walked towards the security check.

Eito did not let Avi carry her bags and Mandy started to make fun of him saying he was trying to be a knight in shining armor. Avi could not agree less, but kept her mouth shut. After all, he was only helping her.

There were two buses, and the teachers checked the list to ensure that everyone was present. Mr. John carefully divided the group in such a way that Avi and AK were on two different buses and she couldn't thank him enough for that.

Just as they settled comfortably, the bus stopped, and it was time to take another one.

The next bus was a much bigger one, and Ben suggested sitting at the back so that they could all be together. The ride was so fun as they all danced and sang like crazy people. Aviana haven't enjoyed this much ever in her life and she let herself get lost in the fun.

"Okay Aviana, your turn."

They were playing 'If you are a gay, whom would you date?'

The game was bizarre enough, but the boys took it to another level when Ben gave Kenneth, a typical nerd with glasses, a lap dance. His face was red like a tomato and to top it off Ben gave his cheek a kiss.

One thing Avi adored in that school was that there was no difference between nerds and jocks as everyone was treated equal. Even when Avi was considered as a victim; other than AK, not even his friends tried to hurt her willingly. Only when forced did they do something to her and would apologize later. It was f****d up, and she knows it, but Avi didn't hold any grudges.

She thought about Maxim's question, and her eyes wandered to the girls in the front.

"Aida."

The so-called girl got up and waved at the students like a model. Aida was an Ethiopian girl who openly admitted her insecurities about body weight. She used to take keto diet before which affected her kidney and passed out during gym, then it was followed by hospitals and counselling.

When she returned, the cheer girls’ squad arranged a surprise and took her in the team. From then on, she changed for good.

"I love you too, dear."

Aida replied and Avi felt so happy. No one was allowed to speak to her, and only a few were ready to face the consequence. But now, her own confidence was making the others see her in a different way. They were actually talking to her and not some constant pity smiles.

......................