Taking charge D-51

Chapter four

I slowly opened my eyes, the bright light of my bedroom causing me to squint. As my vision adjusted, I realized I was in my own bed, surrounded by familiar surroundings. Confusion washed over me as I tried to piece together what had happened. Last I remembered, I was about to write the test for the WMP……. Hold on, the WMP! What happened? How did I get here?

I jolt up at the sudden realization and a sharp prick in my arm drew my attention to the IV drip attached to it. I followed the thin tubes with my eyes, tracing it back to the bag of fluids hanging nearby. Questions filled my mind but the fog in my head made it difficult to think clearly.

Suddenly, I heard footsteps approaching my room and the door swung open to reveal my mother standing in the doorway. Her eyes widened with a mixture of relief and concern as she rushed to my side. Her slender frame carrying an air of grace as she walked to me with open arms

“Oh my darling, you gave us quite a bit of a scare” she said as she pulled me into her warm embrace

“What happened? How did I get here?” I ask relaxing into the warmth of her embrace

“You don’t remember anything? You collapsed during the test and they had to rush you home”

I had hoped it was all a bad dream, but it wasn’t, I really did flunk my exams and tanked my chances at the WMP. My heart sank as I realized the severity of the situation, not only had I tanked my test, I also became a burden to Susan who had to cut short her trip to London for a conference she was supposed to host

“What about your conference?” I ask, guilt washing over me and making it difficult for me to find the right words to apologize

“Do not worry about that” she smiles “You just need to focus on getting better”

“And the WMP, do you think they’ll make an exception…..”

“Hush now darling, forget all your worries and rest…..” she cuts me off, reaching for a small vial and injecting its content into my IV. I try to resist but almost immediately, I feel a wave of drowsiness wash over me, pulling me back into the depths of sleep.

I woke up once again, straining my eyes as the room was bathed in the soft morning light. As my eye adjusted, I saw Heimlich tending to me with a concerned expression on his face. I wasn’t disappointed or anything that he was the one tending to me and not Susan. I was above emotions like that so this was fine.

I attempt to sit up and he quickly rushes to my side, his hands hovering anxiously

“I’m fine Heimlich” I dismiss him with a wave of my hand and I could hear the frustration in my voice. I couldn’t bear the thought of being treated like some helpless child again “Where’s mum?” I ask despite knowing the answer already. Seeing Heimlich’s face fall and his hesitation to answer my question, I knew my suspicions were correct

“Mrs. Susan had to rush back to London. She asked that I call her the moment you woke up or if you needed her. Shall I make the call?” He asks and I smile, of course she went back to London.

I wave my hand dismissively “No don’t bother, I do not wish to trouble her any further”

He nodded slowly before adding “Please remember that your mother loves you very much” I laugh at his response, of course I knew that she loved me, I was her daughter after all.

“Of course I know that” I sigh in frustration as I looked around my room one more time; a room that showed nothing of my personality, before getting up to get ready.

“What are you doing?” Heimlich asks, fear clouding his eyes

“Getting ready for school, go get the car ready”

“No, no, no. Miss Susan explicitly instructed me to ensure that you did not leave this room till she returned”

“Come on, don’t start” I roll my eyes at him

“No way” he responds standing his ground

Deciding that trying to be stubborn was going to get me nowhere, I decide to use the emotional route “Come on Heimlich, you know how important this opportunity is to me and how hard I have worked to achieve it. I can’t just let it slip away without trying anything”

“But……”

“I promise I’ll be safe and I’m fine now. Plus I rested so much that I think my migraines gone” I plead, spitting my best puppy dog eye

“Fine” he gives in after a moment of hesitation

“Thank you, thank you so much” I smile at him as I rush to get ready. Quitting wasn’t in my nature and this time wasn’t any different, I’m sure I could get them to understand the circumstances of my case.

Yes

Yes, I still had a chance. After all I was a park and everyone knows I deserved to win this opportunity better than anyone else in that entire school.