Pearl Haven Academy

Chapter 13- Clinic and Nightmare

THALIA

I wake up at the nurse's office, and I see the school nurse's face hovering over me.

"Where... Where am I?" I ask. "And where is he? The hooded guy who brought me here?"

The school nurse looked at me in confusion. "Sweetie, when I came here you were all alone in bed."

"But my wounds... someone tended to my wounds." I say.

She looked at me and nodded as she checked my wounds. "I guess whoever tended to you had to hurry. But he does know a lot about treatment. Maybe he could be a doctor."

Doctor... I shudder. Not again. I hate that word because it makes me remember that night at the hospital.

I was twelve years old at the time. When I woke up in bed, I had a bandage over my eyes, and they told me my parents were gone. I couldn't believe it that I hurriedly took off the bandage over my eyes. All I saw was the beds being pushed out of the same room as me. I rush after them. Mom! Dad! No!

The nurse leans over to me as I end up with tears in my eyes. "Are you alright, sweetie? Do you need some painkillers?"

My eyesight gets blurry as tears keep spilling down my cheeks. "Yes, I would like some, I say." It is such a bitter pill to swallow. If there is one painkiller in the world that could heal my ache from losing my parents at such a young age, I would gladly buy the whole stock they have.

The nurse brings the medicine and a glass of water. I drink it and then lay back in bed. "Can I stay here for a little longer?" I ask the nurse.

She nods. "Take as long as you need. Call me if you need anything."

"Thank you, Miss." I say and she closes the curtains as I close my eyes and drift off to sleep.

ZACH

I walk to the clinic and step inside. The nurse signals for me to stay quiet since she said someone is sleeping.

I nod and walk in slowly and ask for some alcohol. She hands it to me and I apply some on my hand and rub them all over my hands.

I thank her while she keeps writing at her desk.

I sit on the bed beside the one with the closed curtain.

I wonder who is sleeping there.

Then I hear a soft sob from behind the curtain.

"Mom. Dad. No please..."

"No. No. No. Don't leave me. Please come back."

The cries keep getting louder, and I open the curtains, and I see Thali lying there. She's crying as she reaches her arms out.

"Thali. Thali. Wake up." I shake her awake.

"Agh." She groans.

"Thali. Thali." I call her again and she opens her eyes.

Tears spill down her face, and she looks up at me.

"Who... are you?" She rubs her eyes to wipe her tears.

"It's me, Zach," I say. "Are you alright, Thalia?" I wanted to call her Thali but she is fully awake now. I don't want her to say she hates my little nickname for her.

"Zach..." She utters the word so sweetly but the expression on her face is of utter surprise when she finally realizes. "What happened?"

"I was passing by and you were having a bad dream, so I couldn't leave you alone." I reach for her hair and she flinches, but I keep reaching for it and I twirl my fingers around it. It's so silky and smooth to the touch.

"What are you doing?" she says.

"Comforting you," I keep on twirling her hair. "Is it working?"

"No, you're just messing my hair." She pouts, and I chuckle.

I pat her head, and she stares up at me. "What are you doing...?" She asks dumbfounded.

"Just felt like it." I stop and place my hands on my pockets.

She grabs a mirror and stares at her reflection. "God, I look ugly." She takes a comb to fix her hair.

I take it from her. "Don't say that; you're beautiful, Thali. Let me help you with that," I say.

"I'm not a kid anymore," She sighs. "Give it back. I can do it myself."

"No, I insist. I want to help you out." I say.

She doesn't complain now and just lets me comb her hair.

"Do you have hair ties with you?" I ask.

"My scrunchie is in my bag. But that's just one." She says.

"Okay," I say and take out my bag, which is full of hair ties.

"What are you planning?" she says.

"Shh, just relax and let me do my thing." I pull her towards me, and I begin to part her hair. "You can even close your eyes, if you want."

"No, that would be bad. Who knows what you'll do," She looks at me. "I'll keep my eyes open, thanks."

I smirk. "Suit yourself," I may be interested in her but there's no way I will f*** around with a woman who just had a nightmare. So this is what she needs right now. Some care.

I touch her hair and starts to do it in braids. Her hair is healthy. She takes good care of her hair.

I keep braiding, and she doesn't say a word while I do her hair.

Then, when I finish, I grab the mirror and show her what I did.

She gasps. "Wow! You could totally be a hairstylist!"

I beam. "Thank you," I place my hand on her shoulder and place a butterfly clip on her hair. I could style a lot of women and men's hair but for me right now, if I could do it, I would reserve a VIP seat for her, just for her.

THALIA

My heart starts to pound. I don't get this either. He just did my hair so why is my heart beating?

I shouldn't think about it. Calm down, Thalia. Remember what Nika told you. I place the mirror inside my bag.

"If we're done, can I go now? I've already overstayed in the clinic."

"Where are you going?" He asks me.

"Back to the dorms," I say. "Oh, and um, thanks for waking me up and doing my hair."

"Let me walk you back," He says.

"No need; I don't want to owe you any longer than I have," I say, putting up a wall between us. "And please, don't call me Thali. Just call me Thalia."