Tangled in Notes

Chapter Seventeen

Today, my body felt so dead. I didn’t want to go to school but I had to since I’m only a scholar. I headed straight to my English class after receiving a message from Armin that he couldn’t come pick me up because he said he needed to go somewhere important.

I yawned and entered our room. I sat down in my assigned seat. My cheeks landed down my palms and I sighed. I suddenly felt a strike of pain inside of me. I bent my body to the right and it pained more. I closed my eyes until the pain faded away.

After that quick talk with Ysabelle, I headed to the hospital to meet Doctor McKinley. The nurses guided me up to his office and she knocked; opened the door after hearing doctor say ‘come in’. I bowed as I stepped inside. “Good day Dr. McKinley.”

I wasn’t surprised when he replied me a blank face. I looked down and sat across his table.

“I told you to come see me every once in a while.” He fixed the stethoscope in his neck and I pressed my lips together.

“Sorry.”

“Anyhow, how are you feeling?”

I snapped my head to reality. “I’m perfectly fine doctor.” I smiled fakely.

“Were you coughing? Sneezing? Were you taking the medicines I gave you? You ARE staying away from those things I told you, right?”

“I am taking them, doctor. I stay away from the things you told me.” I lied. How can I? I work. I can’t leave my work. “I am not coughing as well.” I grinned. I just hope he wouldn’t see how bad I am lying right no—“ I coughed. My eyes widened and I immediately covered my mouth looking at doctor McKinley’s reaction. He raised his brows. “Maybe just—“ I raised a pinch of my fingers. “—a little?”

“You have asthma.”

I sighed. “Uh, yeah. That’s the only thing I know I had before I knew I had this A1D1.” I looked down. “Aunt said it was from my environment.”

“Take this inhaler I’ll give you. Take it ONLY when you feel hard in your breathing. There’s a big chance that you’ll develop—“

I raised my hand to stop Dr. McKinley. “I don’t want to know, doctor.” I shook my head and sheepishly smiled down. “For as long as I feel strong, I want to keep living. I don’t want to live knowing this and that.”

After a few seconds, he nodded. “Okay. But remember those things I told you. You can’t make one mistake because—“

“I get it, doctor. I’ll come back again.” I stood and walked near his door. “Thank you for your hard work.” I bowed and turned the knob. I stepped out and finally walked away with tears running down my cheeks. I smiled. I love you dad. I’ll be strong for you. I’ll keep my promise before my life ends.

My body felt a bump and picture back the present. I moved from my chair and realized I was already in the cafeteria. I blinked several times and I was surprised when my eyes caught sight of someone looking at me. I creased my brows. Jared.

He turned away and I looked down. I haven’t finished the task he wanted me to do. My eyes un-purposely caught a glimpse of my watch. I sighed and hurried to grab my bag. I still need to go to my shift. I can’t afford to lose any job right no—

My gaze shot up when my wrist were gripped by firm hands. Armin. I frowned. “Let go.” I shove my hand but he only gripped them harder. I glared at him. “I’m not in a good condition Armin. Let go.”

“Don’t.” I stared at him mad. “I already told you not over-work. Your body’s getting weak and you might not tolerate your job yourself alone.”

“I can.”

“No, you can’t.”

I rolled my eyes lightly and forced to remove my wrist from his grip. When that happened, I quickly walked away shredding tears as I pass through a hall way out of the cafeteria. Your body’s getting weak and you might not tolerate your job yourself alone. I hate it. I hate it when he keeps reminding me I’ll die anytime soon.

I gulped hard and headed to my shift anyway.