A Stroke of Serendipity

Chapter 7

I woke up the next morning with a throbbing head and hand. I groaned as I slowly got up, feeling dizzy as I walked towards my bathroom. Last night, once I had explained everything to my dad, I went upstairs, took a shower and hopped into bed.
I sighed as I looked at my reflection in the mirror. Under eye circles for days, blood shot eyes, I looked horrendous. I quickly decided I wanted to take a hot bath, just to relax and hopefully feel better. I looked at the time and wasn't surprised to see that it was three in the afternoon.
I quickly ran the bath and brought some comfortable clothes to change into with me. I made sure my bandages didn't get wet as I entered the bath tub. I smiled to myself as the bubbles surrounded me and I instantly felt better. After what seemed like hours I decided to get up, quickly take a shower and change into my clothes.
Of course I was wearing baggy sweatpants and shirt. My hair a mess at the top of my aching head and my hand still throbbing. I made my way downstairs to get some food, still feeling light headed.
"How's it going kiddo?" My dad questioned once I entered the kitchen.
"Dad..." I whined, "I feel like shit." He looked over at me and saw the way I looked, "you look like it too."
"Haha very funny dad" I signed as I just sat at one of the stools on the kitchen island putting my head in my arms.
"Hey kiddo, I made soup for you so eat that. Ice pack is in the refrigerator so make sure to take care of your hand." With that he was out the door. Probably running to his office even though he did take a week off for vacation.
I got a bowl out and poured myself some soup. Grabbing an ice pack from the freezer I put it in my mouth since my hand was occupied. I ran up the stairs to snuggle in my blankets and have a Netflix marathon.
About an hour into binge watching Orange is the New Black, I heard footsteps from downstairs. 'Dad wouldn't be back from work that quick' I thought to myself. Well looks like I'm going to die here. I quietly closed my laptop, shoved my half eaten soup bowl aside as well as the ice pack and covered myself with a blanket and pretended to be asleep.
Pretty dumb, I know but honestly what can a girl do when her dominant hand is busted and there is no one that could possibly save her. I took deep breathes as the steps got louder and I could hear them come into my room.
That's it I'm going to die. Think Val, think what's something you can do. I waited until the person was by my bed before I attacked. Which was me throwing my blanket on them and kicking them with all I got. There was a grunt, followed by an all too familiar voice.
"What was that!" Eli yelled from under the blanket. I was surprised and relieved to find out it was him. Once I did realize it was Eli I couldn't stop laughing. I joined him on the floor, holding my stomach, tears rolling down my face as I kept laughing.
I couldn't stop. It was too funny, Eli was on the floor holding the side of his ribs where I kicked him. Once I calmed myself down, I slowly got up and plopped back onto my bed. I sighed, "thanks" I said looking up at Eli was was standing by my bed.
"For what?," he said asking confused,
"For making me laugh, I feel like shit tbh"
He rubbed the back of his neck and sighed. "I'm sorry, it's my fault."
"I'm not blaming you so just chill a little bit," I looked at him, "so why are you here."
"Yeah, I thought start to make it up to you. So, come downstairs..."
His cheeks were tinted pink, and I wondered why. Was he embarrassed, sick, hurt.
"I didn't hit you too hard, did I? Your face is all red" I pointed out.
"No no, I'm fine," he dismissed as we slowly went down the stairs into the kitchen.
Words couldn't describe how surprised I was to see what was waiting for me. I looked from Eli to the kitchen table and back to Eli.
Was this guy for real, or is this some dream. This can be real. I was beyond shocked to say the least. Because I never expected anything like this, especially from Eli.