A Genuine Infatuation and A Theorem for Love

Chapter 7

   Miranda swayed to her left and right. I chuckled for her next statement was very predictable.

"Oh My Gawd! I'm so gonna pass out during the next two classes," she exclaimed. I smiled slightly, I'd been depleted of every ounce of energy by a mere glance of that 'word', so I resolved to sheer nods and smiles. I wasn't up for discussion. However, Miranda turned her head slowly towards me with a quirked eyebrow and a deep frown.

"You know what, forget me. Spill the beans! What's gotten into you?! You weren't prepared for today's test, which I might add, has to be recorded as an occurence in a milestone! And to top it all, you've been ignoring me and acting weirdly since morn!" She told me without a pause and finally stopped to take a breath of air, "speak up Linds!" I could only return a feeble look, the only concept on my mind was the Northerners, the feud, and my involvement in all of it. Suddenly I felt her breaking me out of my reverie by shaking my shoulders.

"Linds, you're creeping me out, alright!" she told me with a plainly concerned look. Her features softened and it made a tear-drop leak from the corner of my eye. I looked away from her. I usually never cried, however, that had been all I could resort to ever since the previous day.

"Was it Aunt Ellie?" she asked cocking her head to one side and referring to my Mom. I slowly nodded my head and turned to have a quick survey of the class. Everyone was enjoying themselves and some were even flying paper planes back and forth in class. I turned to look at Miranda. Mom was mostly the cause behind my marriage being fixed to an entire stranger. Suddenly, I felt I could not suppress my depressed emotions any longer. My pulse was beating twice its normal rate. I felt myself struggling to respirate as any other ordinary individual would: I was having an asthma-attack.

"Linda!" Miranda screamed my name and with the help of a few other students, they hauled me out of the class-room and rushed me to the Emergency Room immediately, while Eliza hurried off to notify our teacher. I was yet breathing heavily with quick paces. My eyelids were drooping and before I could fall into unconciousness Mrs. Plumsberry held the puff into my mouth and pressed it once.

I could feel my breath returning to its normal pace. I was lying down on one of the neatly arranged bed-spans with Miranda, Henriette and Claudia Johnson. The Johnson twins nudged each other upon seeing me awake. They bid their farewell and left for class after inquiring about my health. Miranda, seated on a high wooden stool, didn't dare speak a word for the nurse was having quite a hustle and bustle attending over another pair of teens as well. No sooner Ms. Georgia arrived at the doorway and made her way towards us with Eliza in her wake.

"Ms. Alexander, how are you faring now?" she asked me while tapping away impatiently at her phone.

"I feel much better now, ma'am. I'll be on my way to class," I told her, not wanting to stay at the E.R. any longer.

"Rest for half an hour. Ms. Myers will then escort you to class after Mrs. Plumsberry has concoted for you a nourishment drink." I nodded at her and having said that she headed towards the doorway. Mrs. Plumsberry handed me a mug of steamy hot chocolate. It smelt delicious. Half an hour would suffice to confine in Miranda the misfortune occurence of yesterday. Taking a sip, I began unfolding to her, yesterday's events.

"When I returned home yesterday, a lady was in coversation with Mom. No doubt, a Northerner. Also, Dad made an unusual appearance for dinner. He was picking on Henry, that's when I asked about the feud with the Northerners for a simple diversion. It went against in favor of me. Their ruler agreed to peace out only if a lass from our clan would be given in betrothal to his son. My parents decidedly agreed to sacrifice me for the job and their clan," I told her dejectedly, my head in-between my palms. Miranda's mouth formed an 'O' and she closed it abruptly when Mrs. Plumsberry passed us.

"Well that was... unexpected..." she dragged. Was that her only reaction?

"And...?" I probed on for a worthier response.

"And??? Are you seriously asking me that?! Your parents are downright crazy Linds! Who would, in their right mind, get their daughter married when she hasn't even graduated and is only sixteen years of age? Seriously!" she huffed. I offered her a small smile, she certainly knew the cure to my despair. I felt slightly better, a temporary relief would satiate my mind in peace.

"I know, let's just head to class. Remember, there was a question regarding the feud. I want to know the elaborated answer to that. C'mon Mary," I tugged her sleeve. We excused ourselves from Mrs. Plumsberry and sprinted to the direction of the Gathering Hall. Since both grades were combined, it contributed in size to the vast number of students, a total of thirty-five together. Ms. Georgia, upon seeing us, let us enter.