The Best Of Both Worlds

chapter 16 - Thomas

Thomas

Her grip on my hand is tender as she leads me away, not caring about the people that stare at us. Once we reach the infirmary, she sits me down. I try to touch my face but she slaps my hand away.
"Don't." She warned. Her voice is a bit stern, I feel like it has been ever since I rejected her.
She got a piece of cotton, dabbing it on my cheek.
"Ah-" I grit my teeth slightly to the pain.
"Keep still, I know you don't like being touched but bear with it for a second."
I look up at her and her eyes meet mine.
"How'd you-"
"It's obvious how you don't like to be touched." She scoffs, she's close to me yet I wouldn't mind if she was closer. Is that crazy?
"Well, aren't you observant." I mutter causing her to dab harder on my cheek.
"Ow- ow! Okay, okay! Sorry." She stops dabbing, lowering her head.
"You're so stupid. Why'd you have to get in between them..." Her voice breaks slightly, making me feel a bit guilty.
"Because maybe then you'd finally stop avoiding me." She looks up at me, tears in the corner of my eyes, catching me off guard instantly.
"Don't act like you care." She shakes her head, scouring the tray for a bandaid.
A bit frustrated, I get up. Grabbing her wrist.
"But I do!" I say, making her look back at me.
"Look Dale, I..." Say it, say that you wanted her.
"I want to-"
Before I can finish my sentence, the infirmary door slides open, making her jump away from me.
"Oh, hey." The nurse says with a cup of coffee in her hands, knowing she disturbed something.
"Did I.. come at the wrong ti-"
"Nope, not at all." Dale clumsily started walking towards the door.
"He's all yours!" She awkwardly laughed, running away.
"Dale!" I called out after her but she didn't listen. Disappointed. I stood there defeated.
"Tough luck buddy." The nurse nods, sipping her coffee.