Navigating Life, Called Claude

Chapter 3:

Apparently not long after that Jai had to call an ambulance and mum rushed home from work but I don’t remember any of it. I wound up in a hospital bed, dressed in a spotted hospital gown, my arm draped in plaster and a horrid banging in my head. I look around the room and notice for the first time a sleeping figure slumped in the chair next to my bed. His school clothes are rumpled as he slouches back in the chair. Jason looks so vulnerable with his lashes draped across his cheek and his mouth falling softly open.

“Claude?” Someone whispers.

I look across to find my mum walking into the room.

“Mum.” I cheer weakly.

She strides up to me and places me in a hug, careful not to jostle my arm. Her gaze is then directed at Jason.

“He insisted he should come. As soon as visiting hours started he was right by your side.” My mum’s mouth lifts up into a smile. “Is there something that you want to tell me?”

“Other than that is the boy who put me here in the first place, no.” I said dryly.

“I know, he told me.” She smiles. “I can’t believe you stopped him from hitting a six.”

I groan. “Why is this world full of heartless creatures?”

Beside me Jason starts to stir.

“Well I’ll leave you to it then. I’m glad you’re all right honey.”

With that my mum scurries out of the room, her heel’s clipping against the floor.

“Claude?” Jason slurs. He opens his eyes and rubs at them. “Oh, you’re awake.”

“Yes I am Jason.”

“You’ve been asleep for hours, I thought you were never going to wake up.”

“You mean hoped?” I enquire sarcastically.

Jason smiles. “Yeah something like that.”

Jason’s uniform is a light green, button up shirt and light grey shorts. He has a darker green jumper slung messily over his chair and his laces are undone.

Jason must have noticed my stare because he says, “Yeah I just came straight from school. I’ve got a double free period?”

“St. Xavier’s?” I enquire, straining to read the type on his logo.

“The one and only.”

“Isn’t that, like, one if the most expensive schools in the state?”

Of course I’m not really in the position to talk. Carlsbury High School is also an expensive private school though I hate the idea of being around a bunch of snobs. The only thing it has going for it that is it hosts the best music tuition in Victoria.

 “Yeah it is but my dad gets paid pretty well.”

“What does he do?” I ask out of curiosity.

“He’s a teacher for a top school but what really got him the money was his short career in the music industry.”

 “I see.”

A young woman interrupts our conversation when she strides over to me and introduces herself.

“Good afternoon Claude. I am Dr Dennis, I just want to give you a quick once over and when the paperwork is signed you can probably go home.”

Finally!

She checks my stats and records them onto a piece of paper.

“Okay one last thing Claude. Two actually. First I need to do a couple of checks on your plaster so can you please wriggle your fingers around like a witch casting a spell?”