Sommerstall Academy

Chapter 51

Elija

Holy hell, someone tell the psychopath in my head to stop carving out my brain. Seriously, my head hurts so much I can barely hear my own thoughts.

"Elija? I think he's waking up," I hear someone say. Even in my confused state do I recognize it, the voice that so quickly became my favorite one.

I try to force my eyes open, wanting to see Florence but my body is protesting. Everything hurts so bad.

"Hey Champ, can you hear us?" a deeper voice asks. So my dad is here too. The question is just, where is here? I pry my eyelids open a crack and try not to wince at the bright light.

Before I can try to speak, someone's cupping my cheeks, directing my gaze to meet the most beautiful set of emerald eyes.

"Where am I?" I rasp huskily. Florence releases a wet chuckle.

"You're at the hospital. You fell down the stairs and hit your head," my mom tells me but I can't see her. I'm still looking at my girl and a knot in my stomach tightens uncomfortably as I do so. Dark shadows circle her eyes, her skin is pale and her hair's a mess. Not that I care what she looks like but she's obviously exhausted and I hate to think it's because of me.

Without thinking about it one of my hands comes up to hold hers on my cheek.

"How long have I been here?" I ask softly. My throat is dry but I don't want Florence to go away to get water for me.

"Since last night so about fifteen hours?" Florence replies, looking at my parents for aid.

"You've been here for that long?" She nods. "Have you slept at all?" I ask next. I hate that her cheeks glow pink at the indication but she nods again, confirming my suspicion. "Have you eaten anything?" I ask, my voice lowered.

Florence tries to brush me off but I have my answer right there.

"Very well. I already texted your friends you were awake so someone should be here soon. Would you mind if your mother and I went home to freshen up and maybe get some sleep? Kai came by a few hours ago to bring some of your essentials over. Your phone and headphones are here, just tell me if you need anything else. The doctor should check up on you soon," my dad says.

"Alright, thanks and of course not, please go. Can you drop Florence off at her place on the way?" I ask. Then, realizing Florence is about to protest, I add, "You need some rest. I'll be fine here."

"You can come home with us if you don't want to go home, Honey. It's no problem," my mom says, making me furrow my eyebrows. Why wouldn't Florence want to go home? And what would my mother know about it?

"Thanks, but I'm okay. Unless you want me to go?" my girl asks me. I sigh, accepting defeat. To be honest, I want her to stay with me but she needs sleep and food. Well, maybe I can keep an eye on here.

My parents leave and the room falls quiet.

"You're an idiot," Florence finally tells me, looking completely serious.

"I am?"

"Yes! Do you have any idea how worried I was? God, Elija, your family and I spent over an hour not knowing where you were," she says, pacing the room and running a hand through her hair. Right as I was about to tell her to calm down, she takes a deep breath and drops her hands. "Sorry. I know it wasn't your fault. How are you feeling? Can I get you anything?"

Okay, that was weird. Her mood just changed completely in less than a second, going from stressed-out teen to a calm nurse.

"My head hurts a bit and my throat is dry but I'm fine otherwise." She nods to herself before walking to a vacant chair and coming back with a water bottle. I accept it gratefully. When I'm done, I scoot to the edge of the small bed and tell Florence to lie down with me.