Jewel's POV
Eric beat the living shit out of me. In no way did he ease up even a little. I don't even see why he wanted me to heal because now I'm worse than I was before. He claims it was just training and that it's the only way to make me a better fighter. I don't see how I can become a better fighter if I spend half my time recovering in the infirmory.
I've wrapped myself in a large quilt. Everything hurts. The nurse says that I have to stay on bed rest for at least a week. Damn you, Eric.
Ryan walks into the infirmory with a worried expression. He is quickly by my side, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"I told you he was trouble."
I try to surpress a laugh. "Yeah, I know. I should have listened to you."
He examines my face closely. He lays a gentle hand on the side of my cheek and smiles down at me.
"At least he didn't go for your face."
I didn't even think about it like that. Not once, during our fight, did Eric ever try to hit me in the face. He always went for body shots or tried to kick my legs. Eric is known for going for the face. He loves to fight dirty. But not with me. Actually, he gave me a pretty clean fight. I guess I really do suck.
"He didn't need to go for my face. One punch to the gut and I was down for the count." I laugh this time.
Ryan half smiles, his hand still on my cheek. "Ya know, I could stick around a while and teach you how to fight..and I wouldn't beat you up like this." He says it in a way that makes me believe it's not a suggestion but an order. For some reason, I don't want to take him up on this offer. Eric is an asshole but he's the asshole that I like to deal with.
I turn my face away from his hand, no longer wanting him to touch me. A confused look crosses his face but he removes his hand finally, placing it back in his lap.
"I'm fine. Eric has his way of doing things. I need to learn to take a punch anyway."
Ryan rolls his eyes. "Not like this." I'm beginning to become frustrated with him. I don't like feeling forced to do something just becasue he thinks Eric is bad guy.
"Besides, I work for you. It might be a little inappropriate to hang out outside of work." I try to sound casual. He narrows his eyes at me, a look of anger flashes across his features.
"Is there something going on? Between you and Eric? Because you should know Jewel that if you get involved with him, he's just going to end up using you and then leaving."
I sit up, clawing at the bed sheets around me. "Why? Because that's what happened with your sister?! Nothing is going on between Eric and I! Just like there is nothing going on between you and me!"
He stands up, fists clenced. Good. I'm glad I made him mad.
"You mess with him, you get what you deserve."
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After what feels like the a never ending dream, I wake up, in the infirmory, hungry as hell. I can't remember the last time I ate something.
I slowly climb out of bed, pain coursing through my bones. The nurses are gone which means it has to be night time. Wonderful. If the cafeteria isn't open, I'm gonna be pissed.
I make my way through the dark hallways, limping as I go. I hope no one sees me. I look a complete mess. The nurses stripped me of my regular clothes and made me wear a flemsy night gown that is a hideous shade of blue.
