what if...?

Part 7/?

It's been three days since the dinner incident. Garte still hasn't come back. Mom said that he still needs a little time before he comes back. That bastard can take as long as he wants.

I obviously haven't gone to school, Vylad's been bringing me my homework, I told everyone that I have the flu, and that I'd be back tomorrow. 

Since none of us in the family are doctors, we have no idea what to do for my voice, since it still sounds hoarse. Mom says that my voice might just need some time to rest and it'll sound normal in no time, but the only experience she has with stuff like this is from watching the hunger games.

The swelling in my throat has gone down a bit, but the bruises still look the same, maybe worse. But I usually wear a scarf that covers my neck and face, so as long as I don't take it off, I should be fine.

Aphmau and Ein offered to come over multiple times, but I kept assuring them that I was ok and that I didn't want to get them sick. 

The night before I was set to go back to school, I didn't sleep a wink. At around two in the morning Garroth knocked on my door to check on me, and ended up staying with me for the rest of the night.

Eventually, though, I had to get dressed for school. And before I knew it, I was being dropped off with my brothers.

Garroth and Vylad both insisted to walk me to first period, no matter how much I waved my hands "no"

When the lunch bell rang, I was one of the last people out of the class. Aphmau texted me during second period about sitting on the bleachers for lunch, so that's where I went.

"Zane!!" I saw Aph wave at me from the highest row of seats in the bleachers, I waved back and sat beside her.

"Why aren't you talking?"

"My, uh, my voice is still kind of scratchy. From the coughing."

"Ah, that sucks. How long until it's back to normal?"

"A few days, I suppose."

"Cool!"

The subject of my voice was dropped, thank god, and for the rest of the lunch break we were talking about going to Aphmau's house after school to watch this show she's been getting into.

"Shoot, I think that was the bell."

We both walked back down to the school and said our goodbyes at the stairs, where I turned back around into the west hallway while Aph went up.

Overall, the second half of the day wasn't too bad.

Until I ran into Ein after school.

"Hey, Zane!"

"Oh, uh, Hey!" the hallway we were in was crowded, and I was talking in a pretty quiet voice due to my injury. Good thing he has wolf hearing.

"Oh, shit. When you said your throat was bad from the flu I never thought it'd be this bad.." His eyes were filled with concern, almost like he knew something else was going on. 

But that's ridiculous, I'm 100% sure no one told him.

"Yeah.. it's pretty beat up, heh."

His eyes narrowed.

"...Is there anything you want to tell me?"

I froze.

It felt as if time itself was stuck. Does he know? How could he know?! Maybe he doesn't know! Maybe its about him liking me!

"Nope! Nothing.."

"Alright.."

I smiled and waved goodbye as I walked around him to meet up with Aph at the main enterance.