What A Smile Can Hide

Chapter 8: I'll catch you

I groaned opening my eyes, they burned as I was faced with LED lights on the ceiling.

"You're awake," stated an unknown voice.

"What happened?" I asked, as I sat up on the bed.

"You hit your head. Do you know where you are?"

My eyes wandered around the familiar room, I was in the school's clinic. The nurse was sitting at her desk.

"At school." I answered.

"The local doctor is coming to see you." She said. "Your parents sounded very worried on the phone."

I remained silent. I hate when people address them as my parents.

"Oh, and your friend just went to get some water for when you woke up," the nurse quickly added.

I slowly sat up.

"Why do you have so many bruises?" She queried.

"I'm very clumsy," I stated.

The door to the clinic opened and Mason stepped through with a bottle of water in his hand.

"I've just got to go and call your parents again to tell them that you're awake and ready to go home." The nurse said.

I panicked, if they were to come and pick me up Charles would beat me until I was unconscious again.

"No, wait," I rushed.

The nurse paused in front of the door with a worried look.

"What's wrong?" She asked.

"There's no need to call them, they're usually really busy. And I don't want to interrupt them again." I said with a convincing smile.

"Honey, they need to know that you're alright. Also you can't stay here, you need to rest." She said.

"That's alright, I'll call them and I'll walk Gracie home." Mason said.

The nurse turned to Mason. "Walk? I don't know if that's a good idea, what if she happened to fall and-" She started until Mason cut her sentence short.

"I'll catch her," Mason said, the nurse exhaled deeply and looked at me worriedly.

"If you feel dizzy, sick or anything. Go straight to the hospital." She demanded.

The nurse reminded me of my mother, demanding but a complete softie.

"Yep," I replied. "Thank you," I said as I walked out the door.

I put my hoodie back on, fastening my pace.

"Nothing slows you down, does it?" Mason said, more of a statement than a question. "You forgot your bag," he said.

"Oh," I stopped.

"I've got it, don't worry." Mason mentioned, he swung one of the two bags he had on his back.

"Thanks, but no thanks." I reached for my bag, but he pulled it back with a taunting smile. "I knew it wouldn't last," I muttered.

"What?"

"The act," I said as I walked faster.

"Gracie," he said as I heard Mason's footsteps stop.

I ignored him.

"Gracie, I'm not letting you carry your bag that's packed with heavy books when you've got a concussion." Mason declared.

What?

I stopped mid-step, turning around with a confused expression.

"What? What's wrong? Do you feel dizzy? Sick?" He asked frantically.