The Healer | Part 3: The Survivors

The Kilt

Edith

Loathe as I wanted to return to my dormitory that night, or at all, for that matter, I knew I would be in trouble again if I stayed out for two nights in a row. Especially since Healer Bidelspach had only spoken to me about the subject just a few hours earlier.

Had it only been a few hours? My mind was still spinning as I walked up the stairs to my dormitory. My hand felt very odd with a ring on it, I had never worn rings before. I kept fiddling with it on my finger, it felt so strange and foreign. Once I returned to my room, I took it off to examine it properly.

It really was quite pretty. The band was small and delicate with a beautifully intricate design and a large marquise diamond set in the middle. I didn't want to think about how much it must have cost. And I wasn't about to ask either. I knew George wasn't exactly hurting for money, but that was his business. I slipped the ring back on and turned to my desk.

The very last thing I wanted to do that night was leave the warm, comfortable safety of George's arms and return to my lonely dormitory. So much had happened in the last twenty-four hours. I thought I needed him before, I had no idea what need felt like until now.

He had tried to convince me to stay but I knew the rule for staying in the dormitory was in place for a reason. He had argued that it was too late, even if I did return to the school, it wouldn't change the fact that we had slept together now twice in as many nights. We eventually agreed that it was too difficult to leave each other after being so intimate together and decided not to have sex again unless I could stay the night. My heart felt like it was in turmoil as I looked around the small room. It felt like a different world, like everything that had just happened between George and I had only been a dream.

Angus wasn't there when I returned. I was bursting to tell someone the news. George had wanted to keep our engagement a secret from his family and I couldn't blame him for that. But I could tell Bonnie. It was late now though, she was probably at work.

I sat down and picked up my quill again. My essay was exactly where I'd left it. I dipped the quill in ink but my mind was blank. I couldn't concentrate on Healing Spells or Stamina Charms right now. Maybe if I went for a run, I would be able to think straight again. I was too excited at the moment, maybe I just needed to wear myself out a bit.

I changed my clothes again and my eyes widened as I caught a glimpse of myself in the bathroom mirror. My hair was a mess, I certainly looked like I had been up to no good. I was grateful I hadn't seen anyone on my way to my bedroom. I fixed it as best as I could and walked out of my bedroom. I nearly ran into Meredith on my way into the corridor. She had her hand raised as if she had just been about to knock on my door.

'Oh, sorry, Edith!' She exclaimed. I clutched at my heart, I hadn't been expecting to run into anyone.

'It's alright,' I told her. 'You just startled me.'

'I was just looking for a book called A Complete History of Healing Spells at the library for that essay for Collins, but the librarian said you had taken it out already,' she said. 'I wondered if I might be able to have a quick look at it.'

'Oh, right,' I turned back to my room and gestured for her to follow me. 'I was just working on that essay too, I've been having a bit of trouble with it.'

'I know what you mean,' she told me as I rummaged around my desk for the book. 'My brain feels like porridge after studying like this for so long.'

I chuckled and found the book. I picked it up and handed it to her.

'It'll be a relief when this is all over,' I told her. She took the book.

'If you like, we can work on it together,' she offered. 'I only have eleven inches and I can't think of anything more to write.'