Influence (GirlXGirl)

Chapter 8: The Freshman

The next day, Stephanie got in touch with the freshman, and he accepted Stephanie's offer. We're not pushing him to accept our offer, but I guess he's ready. I'm afraid he got a trauma because of what happened that night.

I parked my car as we arrived at the hospital. I examine the hospital building. I tried to recollect myself going to the hospital and meeting some drug rehabilitation patients. Thinking of one person who's gone through an overdose stressed me out, but this hospital is full of drug users. I don't have any idea how I am going to cope there.

When I heard Stephanie open the door, I quickly grabbed her hand, "What's wrong?" she asked. She sat in her seat again.

"Never mind, sorry," why did I grab her hand like that? Maybe because I'm not mentally prepared.

"You're not ready, are you?" she asks, worried in her voice.

I shook my head, "I don't know, maybe I'm afraid to look at him."

I tried to change the subject as I looked back, checking the passenger seat, "remind me why he's coming?"

David awkwardly waved his hand towards me. Stephanie answered, "I told you, he's going to be our bodyguard. Just in case."

"Seems like we're gonna get assassinated," I sighed.

"Don't worry, Cathleen, you know I'm strong!" he rolled up his sleeves and flexed his muscle. I gagged towards him, making them laugh.

"I'm just gonna act that I don't know martial arts so that you can be useful," I smiled sarcastically at him and walked out of the car.

I hitched a sharp breath between my teeth, preparing what would come to us in the hospital. When we start asking him some info about that guy from yesterday, we have to be careful around us. And if we got caught by them, we know it's better to get caught by police than some gang members.

"Relax, Cathleen. Just ask him some questions and leave; a piece of cake," I spoke to myself. Who am I kidding? It would be a piece of cake if I didn't have anxiety.

Then we began walking to the hospital. We reached the receptionist and asked a guy named 'José Diaz.'

Then the nurse guided us to a park. I didn't expect a hospital this big. The nurse told us to wait at the picnic table. I examined around the park, and some patients were with their loved ones, I think. I just thought people who would come to this hospital must be someone they care about.

But it was different to us; we met José to ask him about this outsider selling drugs in our school.

I wonder why the hospital chooses a park where patients can talk with the visitors, maybe because outdoor could make peace of mind. After all, I can feel the breeze. I calmed a little bit because of how peaceful this park is.

Then someone walked up to us, which got my attention. He was the same guy that I've done CPR, but the difference is he's looking a bit better, "Oh, I remember you, didn't you saved me last night?"

I nodded. I'm kinda relaxed knowing that he must be alright now, "Yeah, and Simon too. How do you feel now?"

"I'm okay. And thanks for saving my life, though. I'm in your debt," the freshman replied and sat in an empty seat in front of us. David didn't join our conversation because he knew this was classified, and he respected that, "let's get to the point here. I don't know who you are, and there's no way upperclassmen would visit me out of care."

It's not surprising that he was suspicious of us; I knew he would ask this. Stephanie cleared her throat before answering, "Well, we're here for something, so technically we cared about you."