Curious Stars

Chapter 13 - lab partners

When Ophelia woke up, the sun had already risen. Brett was nowhere to be found, but there was a note at his table that said: "I went to school, but I'll be home by 2. Breakfast is already prepared downstairs. Thought you might need rest, feel like you are home".

Well, she certainly didn't want to feel like she was home, but other than that her body was yearning rest, so she decided on staying in bed. At least until midday as she still had to do a chemistry presentation with Danny.

It wasn't until Brett came home that she noticed just how exhausted she was. Sleeping seemed to be the only thing she could do so that's exactly what she did. Though the nightmares were plaguing her. There were always the same things: the doctor, the monster, her father.

"Good morning", Brett's voice woke her up. She blinked and sat up. "Morning."

"How are you feeling?" He sounded careful as if he didn't want to scare her away. "I'm better, thank you. I shouldn't have called you. It was selfish of-", but Brett cut her off. "Don't apologise. I'm glad you called."

Both of them had no clue what to say after that. The sound of chirping birds outside the house was the only noise there was. "C'mon, we need to change the bandages."

Reluctantly she followed him to the bathroom and they repeated the same procedure they had done the night prior. Only this time, Ophelia wanted to see what was on her ankle. She read the letters and there was the constant voice of her father telling her that now the world could see what he saw when he looked at her. Disgust with herself was one of the main emotions she was feeling.

Brett stayed silent during that, only holding her hand and pressing it reassuringly. Ophelia didn't want to be seen so vulnerable by someone, so she closed herself off. "I am going to meet up with a friend of mine today. We are doing this chemistry project. So I should probably go..."

"Do you need a ride?"

"Well I could walk, it's not that far."

"Give me a minute, I'm going to get my keys. Do you want to eat lunch?" Ophelia was desperately searching for an excuse, her heart speeding up. "I'm going to eat at Danny's, but thank you." She failed to notice his desperate facial expression.

—

Later that day, Danny and her were sitting in front of his laptop and were doing chemistry. "I don't want to think", she whined and Danny laughed.

"But I have no plan of science, so if you want to pass, I need you to think."

"Life is hard for the intelligent", she joked and Danny chuckled.

"Well, then I'm glad you aren't intelligent." They both laughed.

"Okay so what is the presentation about again?" Let's just say they didn't get far with the preparation.

After some time Stiles was calling Danny and they both shared a critical glance. Stiles and Danny weren't really friends, they were more like acquaintances, why would Stiles call him? But they were about to find out.

"Yo Danny boy, what's up?"

Ophelia chuckled. "Hi Stiles", she said and Stiles let out a yelp.

"You are in so much trouble, let me tell you, not informing us where you are, what the hell Ophelia? And then not answering our messages and calls. We were worried about you", he said and tried to sound serious. "Anyways, you are fine, right?"

"Sorry, I turned off my phone, I wasn't feeling that well."

"Good, anyways, you both want to study?" Danny and Ophelia looked at one another and laughed.