weightless

Mark? or not...

As I walk in English literature class, I notice a difference. I am not the center of attraction, unlike usual days, but someone else is. When I get a better view at the person, my jaw drops. He.is.stunning. Some guys are cute, some handsome but he is different. He is one of those people who isn’t necessarily the most gorgeous guy but has a vibe going that makes you want to smile and pay attention. He sends a toothy grin towards my direction. I roll my eyes at his obvious flirty laugh and take my usual spot at the back of the class, as far away I can get from Mr. Dial. I am so not interested in sitting in the front, looking at his disgusting face and being the target of his spit-induced sentences.

The bell rings and the group of girls surrounding Mr. gorgeous scatter. He then leisurely walks and takes the seat next me. I instruct myself to look ahead; I do not want to be his latest girl-toy. Our seats are on the last row, only two taken out of five. The whole class is boisterous as Mr. Dial is yet to be here. He slowly turns towards me, smirking.

“Hi, I am Mark.” He has a surprisingly deep voice. “And you are?...” he adds after I don’t respond.

“Not interested” I answer. His smirk drops off his face as he studies me. After about 2 minutes of silence between us, a small, real smile makes an appearance.

“Well, I see I haven’t given you the greatest first impression, have I?”

“No.” I snap at him. Suddenly the weight of the world is on my knees and I flinch in pain. I quickly get up from my desk and make my way towards the door. My right knee hurts so badly that I feel like my body weighs a ton. I urge myself to make it to the hallway, down to the right and straight to the infirmary. But halfway through the seemingly long hallway, my legs give out and I fall. I mentally curse myself for not bringing anyone with me. Nobody is in the hallway. What do I do? Crawl all the way there?

Abruptly, in one swift motion, someone lifts me up bridal side. For I second I am too shocked to react. Then I look up and see the one person I didn’t expect to see. Mark. He looks worried and is walking towards the left.

“Infirmary is on the right.” I manage to say, feeling guilt tugging at my brain for being mean to him earlier. I am sorry! I want to scream at him, I wasn’t having the most desirable day. But I don’t. That will have to wait; my pain is clouding my thoughts right now.

I am dropped on soft mattress.

“Hang on there; I’ll go get the nurse in a second.” He scurries over to call the nurse for the little supply closet she must be is.

At the speed of light the nurse is next to me. Well maybe my brain is just tricking me with the exaggeration of speed.

“What hurts?”  If I was okay, I would have laughed at the directness of her question, sounds so professional.

“My knee” I say so quietly that is like a whisper. I am afraid that if I lose control of my voice even for a moment, I will scream. Real loud. So I opt to clench my teeth.

The nurse hands me some pain killers, I assume, and a glass of water. I gratefully pop the pill sin my mouth and wait for the medicine to kick in.

“You may leave now.” The nurse addresses Mark. He shakes his head.

“I am her brother. I have to stay.” The lie makes the nurse gives him a reassuring smile and nods. Then she leaves to continue whatever she was doing.

“Thanks..” the medicine is making me sleepy. I can tell they are strong because the pain has already decreased in my knee. He says something but before I can comprehend his words, sleep takes over.

~~~~~

 I open my eyes and strain to see against the brightness of the room. In a spur of action there is fabric all over my face. After a second of panic I relax in my best friend’s embrace.