Heart Me

Chapter 26

Melanie's heart raced as she hurried to the infirmary, the news of her niece Kayla getting hurt in the woods sending a surge of panic through her veins. The camp was bustling with activity, the morning sunlight casting long shadows on the ground as kids ran around, their laughter ringing in the air. But Melanie's focus was solely on Kayla. She turned a corner sharply and collided with Emmy, almost knocking her over.

Emmy stumbled back, her eyes narrowing in annoyance. Melanie's thoughts instantly spiraled into the past, recalling the numerous confrontations she had with Emmy and her father, Thomas, when she was the principal of Astra High. Thomas was perpetually on her case, criticizing her every decision. Emmy, on the other hand, always seemed to find ways to indirectly cause trouble, often using Kayla as an unwitting pawn.

Melanie's suspicion flared. Why was Emmy coming from the infirmary? Was she responsible for Kayla's injury? Emmy rolled her eyes as if reading Melanie's mind, the gesture dripping with disdain.

"Young lady, what did you just do?" Melanie snapped, grabbing Emmy's arm to stop her from walking away. Emmy turned around slowly, her expression bored.

"Nothing," Emmy shrugged, her voice oozing with indifference.

"You just rolled your eyes at me," Melanie's voice rose slightly, her frustration bubbling to the surface. "Do I look like I'm your age?"

"I didn't roll my eyes at you. I just remembered something annoying and rolled my eyes," Emmy replied arrogantly. Melanie was momentarily speechless, unable to comprehend how a child could talk to her with such disrespect.

"I need to go," Emmy said dismissively and walked away, leaving Melanie fuming.

"Spoiled brat," Melanie muttered under her breath as she pushed open the infirmary door.

Inside, the infirmary was a small, sterile room with white walls and a faint smell of antiseptic. Kayla was seated on a tiny bed, her leg propped up on a pillow. Next to her stood Nate, the boy Melanie had seen at the beach the previous night. He was holding Kayla's hand, squeezing it playfully. They hadn't noticed Melanie's entrance.

"Emmy did it, didn't she?" Nate's voice was soft but urgent.

"Yeah," Kayla sighed, her voice tinged with resignation.

"What? Why didn't you say anything about it?" Nate scolded gently. Melanie's eyes narrowed. There was clearly something between these two, but she remembered seeing Nate with another girl at the beach. Was he playing both sides?

"Kayla," Melanie called out, making her presence known. Both teens turned to face her, surprise flashing across their faces.

"Auntie!" Kayla's face lit up with relief and excitement. She had been looking forward to seeing her aunt at the camp.

Melanie walked over and gently stroked Kayla's hair. "Kayla's friend? You're the boy I saw at the beach last night, with a girl. And here you are?" Melanie's gaze was sharp as it bore into Nate's eyes.

"Uh! Yeah... I'm..." He cleared his throat, clearly uncomfortable. "I'm Nate."

"Nice to meet you again, Nate. This time in a room, with my niece," Melanie grinned, but her eyes remained suspicious. Nate shifted uneasily under her scrutiny.

"Aunt, Nate is my really close friend," Kayla interjected, trying to ease the tension.

"Of course. I can see. How close are we talking about?" Melanie asked, turning her gaze to Kayla.

"What? He..."

"Forget it, dear. I came immediately when I heard you got hurt. How are you feeling?" Melanie dismissed the subject, her concern for Kayla taking precedence.