「 The Professor & I 」VOLUME II

(168) Maybe

Lynn's POV

"Lynn, wake up," Jean beckoned but I simply stayed motionless with my eyes closed, groggy and unwilling to move knowing that even the slightest would evoke an awful sore channeling through my upper body.

"Lynn, c'mon. It's already ten. I thought you wanted to go to the mall?" Jean nagged, peeling the covers off me, and I grimaced as the expected aches plagued me when I curled myself up to hide from the cold.

"C'mon, sleepy head. It's time you got a bath," she urged, playfully ruffling with my hair to irritate me.

"Stop that, young lady!" I retaliated as I flicked away her hand and she obediently paused, gently cradling my body into a sitting position but the motion only amplified my physical agony.

"Jean... I'm really tired... And I don't want anymore accidents..." I muttered weakly, looking up at her lethargically as I reclined into her embrace.

"Then let me help you, please," she pleaded earnestly.

"I know you don't like it. Don't worry, I won't be here for long. I won't be helping you forever," she asserted in a grave tone but it was surely comforting to hear her words that truly reflected her maturity and understanding, essentially like our roles had been switched.

"But you promised the Professor you would take care of yourself. I'm just here to make sure you fulfill it," she stressed and it actually twitched a smile onto my lips, though probably lasting no more than a couple of seconds.

"Alright..." I conceded sleepily.

The swish of running water sounded faintly as Jean diligently undressed me and upon completion, she prudently levitated me into the filled tub. My unfeeling parts were submerged first, followed by the immersion of my torso and arms whose misery were immediately alleviated by the temperate surroundings.

Jean shampooed my hair while I did most of the cleaning for my body, this time merely rubbing my insensible legs without abusing them any further. Feeling highly rejuvenated by the refreshing bath, I personally drained the water and managed to retrieve a towel with my own hands from the readily accessible racks and dried myself.

Cautiously hoisting myself onto the corner of the frame of the emptied tub, I sat on its cool circumference and leaned against the tiled walls for enhanced support. Tightly clenching my trunk muscles to maintain my balance, I slowly curved my hands underneath my knee and lifted my inanimate limbs one by one over the ceramic edge as Jean delivered my chair to the washroom.

Swiftly transferring back into my permanent mode of transport, I briskly rolled myself out of the attached bath and automatically halted before my current wardrobe. Instinctively opening it, I easily reached for several pieces to combat the erratic Canadian winter temperatures while Jean had herself prepared for our first day out in the new city.

Neatly placing the pile of clothing on my lap, I shut the shortened wooden cupboard, only realizing then that I had not actually unpacked my baggage last night after seemingly falling asleep before I even arrived at the bed. I looked at my hands, finally registering that they were bare and frantically swept my eyes across the room, heaving a sigh of relief when I spotted the items in mind sitting on the nightstand.

"Jean!" I yelled and she sprinted in, anxiety written on her face.

"What is it? Are you hurt?" She prodded hurriedly and nervously as she crouched before me, furiously examining my body that was only cloaked in a towel.