Bleed Black: An Academy Novel

Chapter Fifteen

     Katie woke up to the smell of more of the awful tasting soup from the day before. A wave of cold swam threw her body as she bunched the blanket up around her and opened her eyes. Sam was standing at the foot of Hero's bed talking to someone who Katie could not fully see. "Nick, come on it's bad enough that Hero hasn't woken up yet. Katie needs to get up today." Sam said to Nick. Katie looked at the figure and tried to see what was different. His hair. It was no longer long and brown, it was short, shaved at the sides, and a dark pink with black streaks. "She's new Sam we can't force her to get up." Nick said, his voice dry and cracking. "I'm fine guys." Katie said, causing Sam and Nick to look at her. "If you aren't ready to get up it's okay Kat." Nick said, using a nickname that Katie had not heard since she was ten. "Nick, I'm fine, really." Katie said sitting up slowly. Nick opened his mouth and shut it again. "If she says she's fine, then she's fine." Sam said, before walking out the door; without looking at Katie or Nick. "I'm sorry about her, she's mad about Hero not waking up yet. She's scared for her, no one wants to loose her." Nick said running his fingers through his hair. "What'd you do with your hair?" Katie asked, wanting to get the subject off of her friend who was laying in a bed with her stomach sliced open. "Oh, just a haircut and dye job." Nick shrugged it off. "So when should I get up?" Katie asked. "Whenever you feel ready, just tell someone before you do so Athena can be here to help." Nick said, his voice still cracking. "Go get her then, I'm ready." Katie said, telling half the truth. Nick started to protest, but then walked out without a word. 

     Katie shut her eyes and waited for Athena and Nick to get back. The Outsiders ran through her head, making her wish it as longer and she had not finished it in a day. Katie opened her eyes and looked at Hero. Her eyes longing for her to wake up, smile at Katie, and tell her it was okay. Hero's eyes stayed shut though, her body not moving other than when her chest rose and fell with her breathing. Katie's mind started wandering to when she would see her parents next. Or if she would ever see her best friend, Beth, again. Or even her old crush, Marcus. Katie could not keep a smile from forming on her face at the thought of all of them. Her mom with her short dirty blond hair, and crocked glasses. Her dad with his brown hair and laugh lines that formed whenever he smiled. Katie's thoughts were dismissed when the wooden door opened and Athena walked in. "Where's Nick?" Katie asked Athena as she walked over. "He isn't coming. I told him it would be better just us." Athena said her voice calming. Katie nodded, excited to get up and moving. But still scared for the pain. "So Katie, just go slow at getting up. pace yourself." Athena said in an encouraging voice. Katie slowly swung her legs over the side of the bed, and placed her feet on the cold floor. Straightening her knees, Katie took a gulp of air and stood up.

     Like she thought, a wave of pain seared through her side. Athena smiled and offered her an arm. Katie smiled back and took it for support. Walking a few small steps to the foot of the bed, Katie's side was pounding. "Your scar has opened we need to bandage it up." Athena said, going to a cabinet to grab bandages. Katie stood, swaying slightly side to side. Athena walked back, her long black dress flowing around her ankles, bandages in her hand. "Please lift your shirt so I can wrap you up." Athena said, placing the bandages on the nightstand beside The Outsiders. Katie lifted her shirt until the scar showed fully. Athena picked up the bandage and unraveled it until the end touched the floor. "Lift your arms up so it'll be easier." Athena said as she started wrapping before Katie could lift her arms.

     Once the bandages were done Katie pulled her shirt back down and thanked Athena. "Go find your friends now, I am sure they are worried about you." Athena said with a small half-hearted smile as she walked over to Hero. Katie walked out of the infirmary without another word, still being scared of Athena and her tempore. Once she was outside Katie was blinded by the suns rays. Walking ahead with tears in her eyes from the sun. Not knowing if classes were going on Katie walked to the one room besides hers that she knew. Sam's. Ignoring the pain in her side that would go through her with every step, Katie ended up in front of Sam's door. Knocking on the dark wood Katie waited until Sam opened the door. Katie had never seen Sam look bad before, even when she was woken up at three A.m. she had not looked bad. Until now. With her purple hair put up in a tangled ponytail, her makeup smeared off, and clothes wrinkled. "You're up." Sam said in an annoyed voice. "Yeah, I am." Katie said forcing a small. "Don't fake smiles. It's a lie and we both know it." Sam snapped her words spitting fire. Katie let her smile fade as Sam ushered her into her room. Katie stepped into her room and was greeted by the smell of nail polish and he sound of a piano. Katie looked at Sam's nails and saw them painted black with white crosses. "How come you get a laptop and I don't?" Katie asked, looking at the laptop that was producing the piano.