Now I Lay

HAZY

Felice’s head was pounding as she stirred on the stiff tiled floor. She recognized the sugary sweet voice of the school nurse hovering above her. “Felice, dear? We have called your father and an ambulance. Both should be here shortly.”

Her eyelids fluttered and finally blinked open to be accosted by the bright lights of the school hallway. Principal De La Cruz was standing nearby with his walkie talkie in hand alerting school administrators to keep students away from the commotion.

“Did you see him? ...With the dark wings? He was an angel...,” she lightly said with a hint of confusion in her tone. Snickering sparked nearby but before she could turn to the source, the nurse spoke up, “Dear, you hit your head pretty hard on the office door. Just don’t worry about speaking or moving. You’ll get taken care of soon.”

The nurse remained sitting near her, but Felice ignored the suggestions of the nurse and let her head fall towards the direction of the bubbly giggles that continued nearby. Carina and her cronies had gathered in a little group watching the scene unfold. The girls were still chuckling behind her, but Carina was still.

Her already light complexion appeared even more pale, if possible. Her mouth hung open as if she may have wanted to say something. And she stood there, staring at Felice with a mixture of sadness and confusion. Felice observed as that look quickly transferred to fear.

Carina snapped her mouth shut and immediately pushed through the crowd leaving only a hint of her flowing caramel hair behind her. Not knowing what to think of Carina’s actions, Felice decided to close her eyes. It would be 10 hours before she woke again. This time, however, she was in a lush hospital bed.

Felice slowly stirred, her head still throbbing from the impact of the door. The flowers cascading off nearly every surface of her room almost blocked the view of her parents asleep on the guest couch of her hospital suite.

The nurse came in to check vitals interrupting her parents dreams while also alerting them to Felice’s awakened state. “Look who’s up! I’m your night nurse, Jackie. You have a slight concussion. Nothing a little rest won’t fix!,” she said while recording vitals in her file.

“We’ll continue to monitor you, but I’m sure you’ll right as rain and ready to check out by our shift change at 5am! How do you feel?,” her bubbly voice causing a slight throbbing in Felice’s already sensitive head.

“Um. I’m feeling better, I guess.,” Felice responded with a shrug.

“Great! Well, if you need anything, the call button is to your left. Kitchen will close in 30 minutes so I’ll have them bring something just in case.,” she said through her smile. And with that, Jackie turned on her heel. swinging her long chocolate ponytail behind her and shut the door.

“Mija,” her dad spoke up first, “I’m glad you’re okay.”

“Papi....I glad I am too. I thought I was going to die!,” said Felice.

Felice noticed the glance her dad made in her mom’s direction and saw her eye roll between two cascading bouquets at the foot of her bed. She would have playfully quipped at her mother’s utter disregard for her near-death experience, but her mind had other plans as it stopped short of the card sticking out of the larger bouquet.

“Papi, can you hand me that card?,” Felice said pointing to the red card protruding from the side.

He lightly pulled and walked the card over to Felice.

“I’m sorry my exit left you wounded, beautiful. I look forward to formally introducing myself to you at school next week. - XO, Damien.”

She turned the card over, hoping to find which one of the two florists in town had delivered it. There was nothing. Just beautiful penmanship on a plain strip of bright red card stock. Now she would definitely have to wait until Monday to find this guy.

Unless.....

“Papí? Mamí? Who delivered this bouquet? ....As a matter of fact....,” Felice scanned the room just really noticing how many bouquets were scattered around on every flat surface, “...who delivered all of these bouquets? Who are they all from?”

Her parents seemed just as incredulous as she was. “Felice...they were here when we arrived. That bouquet may be the only with a card. Do you know who this Damien is?”

Felice didn’t and was about to answer when she felt something. She turned her head towards the door just in time to see the flash of pink manicured nails and caramel hair turn the corner around the door and disappear.

As confused as she was before, the presence of Carina at her room was even more baffling. Her head was swimming in thoughts making the migraine she had drum even harder. She did all she could do at the moment. She closed her eyes and let herself drift to sleep.