The ones who live hidden in plain sight (A discovery of witches story)

27- Can't take my eyes off of you

Can't take my eyes off of you

I need you, baby

And if it's quite alright

I need you, baby

By Joseph Vincent

Camille was sitting in the break room, a tray of food in front of her, with Marcus on a break, too.

- Camille ?' called a voice, interrupting the calm. It was Lily, who had just come through the door. Andrew's asking for you. Bed 3. Head wound.

Camille felt her heart skip a beat. Andrew ? She thought. She tried to hide her confusion, but her face betrayed her concern.

- An... Him?' she stammered, a hint of panic in her voice.

- Yes, Lily replied simply.

Before she could react, Marcus calmly intervened.

- I can take care of it, he offered.

- No!' she exclaimed too loudly before lowering her voice. No, I'll take care of it. Thanks, Lily.

She left her tray aside and stood up quickly, her heart pounding. She walked briskly towards the treatment room, each step making her anxiety more palpable. When she reached bed 3, she saw him. Andrew was sitting there, an apologetic smile on his face, a guilty look that made her melt immediately, even though she was trying to keep her professionalism intact.

- What happened?' she asked when she saw the flesh wound on his head. She felt her own tension ease as she realised that it wasn't as bad as she'd imagined.

- A fall by bike on an outing. Stupid really. Better me than a child,' he explained with a shy smile.

- Did you lose consciousness?' she asked, coming closer to take a closer look.

- No, but I scared the children. The school insisted that I come.

- They did the right thing,' she replied, her tone rising slightly, betraying her concern. She swallowed and began her examination more carefully. The wound doesn't need stitches,' she added quickly, anticipating that he would have hated that.

Andrew smiled at this, and she couldn't help but smile back. She continued her examination, following protocol rigorously.

- I'm just going to clean this up,' she said, grabbing the necessary equipment. It's a good thing you were wearing a helmet,' she added, forcing herself to smile to lighten the mood.

Once the cleaning was done, Camille was reluctant to leave. She didn't want to leave him so quickly. There was this tension in the air, something indefinable that she was trying to control.

- You scared me,' she finally admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

Andrew made a sorry face.

- I'm sorry, I didn't mean to,' he said softly.

- I know, it's me...' she murmured, embarrassed. She paused for a moment before adding more firmly: 'You're fine. She felt a wave of warmth come over her, mixed with relief that she was trying to contain. Have you eaten?

- Yes,' he replied, smiling, and his smile made her feel even warmer. Did you eat ?

- In the process,' she said, looking away, feeling her heart race.

- I... I interrupted you. I wouldn't have called you if I'd known,' said Andrew, genuinely embarrassed.

- No, Andrew. You did the right thing,' she assured him, shaking her head as she removed her blouse. Do you need a certificate for school?