They Say Time Is A Great Healer

Chapter 3

I looked up from my book to see Alex coming towards me with a concerned look on his face. 'Are you alright?' I nodded but then regretted it as a swirl of dizziness twisted through my head, I closed my eyes and held my head in my hands to try and make the pain stop but it just got worse. I felt his hand on my shoulder and looked up slowly to find him staring at me. 'I'm fine' I assured him and he sat down. 'I'm just wondering' he said 'if you're ready for a visit from your form group; they're missing you a lot' I looked at him 'yes' I said slowly 'I think I am'. 'Great!' He said happily and then picked his phone from his pocket 'Lynn? Yeah, she said she was fine with it but be careful' he said before putting the phone down and taking my hand again.

When the day arrived for my form to visit, it turned out to be the worst possible day for it. I was feeling much worse than usual and I'd been asleep for almost the whole morning. Alex was making me nervous the way he kept glancing at his phone. After a while I fell asleep again but I woke up suddenly as Alex's phone ringing broke the still silence of the room. He answered it quickly and I listened to his conversation, but didn't take much notice. He turned around and looked at me, his phone had startled me and now I had no chance of getting back to sleep now. He swore under his breath for 'having his phone up so damn loud'

I felt appalling and when I heard Alex mutter that it was the worst day for visits; I couldn't agree more. I opened my eyes slowly when I felt him touch my hand, 'hello you' he whispered and kissed me on the cheek. I sat up and it was like being drunk but without the alcohol. I squeezed my eyes closed again as I heard heels clack across the floor towards me. Simone was holding a damp flannel and a clear bottle full of some kind of medicine, I felt myself fill with dread when I saw the bottle and sunk into the mountain of duvet. 'No no no' she sang in the high pitched voice people use to talk to toddlers. I glared at her and she held up her hands 'sorry' she said normally and I nodded 'ow!' I grumbled holding my head. 'Here' she offered holding the flannel to me 'it'll help you' I waved her away so she gave it to Alex who's sad sounding pleads I eventually gave into. I heard the padding of flat shoes down the hallway as he put the flannel gently to my head. I flinched away from him as the pain ripped through my head, he calmly tried again and I bit my lip to stop myself from crying out. He held it there for a while and soon the stinging started to die down. 'There you go' he murmured as her ran his hand through my hair.

My stomach did a somersault as Alex stood up and left the room, presumably to talk to the girls. I was shaking when the door opened briskly and someone stepped in. It was Charlotte and I called her over, she could help me calm my nerves. 'Are you ready?' She asked encouragingly 'as I'll ever be' I answered nervously. We spent a few moments talking, and she cupped my pale, shaky hands in her warm tan ones, before I heard the door creak open again. Alex stepped in and was soon followed by my form, who seemed almost as scared as me. They all stood in a huddle around the end of the bed, staring at me. I turned to Alex and he sat down opposite Charlotte and held my hand.

I was absolutely petrified. There were a group of children that knew me, just standing there and staring at me. Suddenly one of them stepped forward with a flower, which seemed to trigger the others into motion and they all placed these huge flowers into a vase that Lynn? Yes! Had put on the table just moments earlier. I looked at them all, and I sat there just studying their faces. Some I almost felt I knew but others triggered no emotion whatsoever. All of a sudden, someone asked a question which was followed up by a tidal wave more questions, I was quite upset by it and I'm not too sure why actually. I felt myself welling up and then out of the blue, I started to cry.

I felt like such a fool. I mean honestly what was I crying for? I sat up and turned back to the girls, wiping my eyes and I laughed. 'I'm sorry' I said shakily and they all looked a bit sheepish. 'Right' I said taking a deep breath and keeping calm, 'someone come forward a bit' I encouraged and they pushed a shy looking girl to the front, 'what's your name?' I asked her and she stared at the ground 'Monique' she mumbled. 'Alright' I said 'thank you... Monica? No, argh!' I groaned and thought back to what she said 'Monique?' I said slowly and she nodded. I smiled and put t hands together 'Monique' I said quietly to myself 'Monique'.

I was almost glad when they left. I was starting to get uncomfortable and I think that's just how they started out to be honest. I was tired and upset and I just wanted to go to sleep. So when they'd gone and I let out the rest of my frustration, that's what I tried to do.