Infected

Chapter 13

ONE WEEK LATER...

A bell dings as a small group of students come hustling in to Roe's Cafe, seeking a treat for the last day before classes begin. I adjust my zip up hoodie from my place at the bar, moving the hood to conceal my bandage. Louis gives me an endearing nod, then moves to help the group. I stare down at my coffee, reciting the lines that I'd created to help me with being out in the public again.

No one will ask, no one wants to know, you're just a speck in a crowd.

The first few times I'd found my way out of the house to visit Liv were difficult. I'd nearly be trampled by news reporters seeking answers to the finding of Rucker, all of them just as confused as the parents who'd see me in the neighborhood. I'd then be overtaken by panic attacks at the slight mentioning of his name, the memories of his hands and breath that never connected to his face would send my body with uncontrollable sobbing.

Quin's spent the majority of his day on campus, sorting things out for his office and preparing the syllabus. At night he'd always find a reason to come over, whether to make sure I was eating, or if I'd unglued myself from the couch. It'd always end the same, with me falling asleep in the cushions while Quin sat nearby. come the end of the week, I'd grown completely dependent on him being there while I slept. I'd resorted to the sleeping pills last night when he had to be home and today I was fighting against a drug induced fog. 

The students leave with their drinks and Louis returns to me.

"You don't have to hide like you have lepresy Elle." he says, wiping the espresso machine with a damp towel.

"Trust me, I'd rather have an infection than this." I jut a thumb to my neck. "Haven't you heard? I'm the girl who got away. I'm more infamous than the celebrities in Hollywood."

"Hush, you know that's not true." He sweeps a towel over the already cleaned counter. He's stalling. "I'm sorry I couldn't visit you in the hospital. With my mother-"

"You don't have to apologize, I completely understand." I pat his hand, attempting to calm his rambling. "How is she doing?"

"She has one more round, then they'll do another scan. She won't have to have surgery again, thank god for that."

"She's strong Louis, and she's lucky to have you while she goes through this."

"Yes. So, only because I'm the curious type, and I hope you don't take any offense to this, but... what's the deal with Professor Daugherty?"

I sip my coffee, trying to sound nonchalant, "What about him?"

"Well, rumor has it you two are a thing."

"Who's saying that?"

"My sources are confidential. For their protection, not yours."

I raise one eyebrow, "Was it Mel?"

His jaw drops, but we both know I would've found out eventually. I had a way with interrogating gossipers.

"Me and Quin aren't a thing. He's my friend."

"You don't have friends Elle."

"Yes I do. I have you and Mel, of course. And on good days I would even consider Galen one."

"That's the point. You've known us for years before you started referring to us like that."

I roll my eyes, "Now you sound like my boss."

Galen hadn't spoken to me since that day in the parking lot, and the reason was something beyond me. The likelihood of Quin successfully sneaking over was low if they were supposedly best friends and saw each other constantly. Perhaps he knew and was just letting us getaway with it until school started and we'd have to return to our responsibilities.