Chasing Cara

Chapter Three

For what seemed like hours, I finally awake and find myself in the nurse's office. My vision is still a little too blurry to make anything out. All I see is this giant blob sitting right next to me. It says no words. All it does is move closer and closer to me. Soon enough, I can finally see. It's her. I try and climb out of the bed they put me on. See looks right at me.

"Justin! How are you feeling?" says Cara.

"Other than the ringing in my ears, I'm fine. How long was I out?"

"About an hour. Understandable since your head slammed against the floor when you passed out."

If only she knew that all of this happened because of her. That we would have never been in the nurse's office if she never walked into the classroom.

"I ran as fast as I could to the nurse's office. But enough about me, tell me how you are feeling," says Cara.

Her concern for my wellbeing brings a smile to my face.

"Well, I'm still a little dizzy but I'm sure it'll pass. The only thing that hurts is the side of my head."

She reaches her hand out and starts to rub the side of my head.

This can't be happening! As much as I know that this is a dream, I pray that it's not. I lay back down and she continues to rub the side of my head. I look up and I can see a smile on her face. Not one of those big ones but not to small where it would be classified as a grin. It's a beautiful smile. Is she smiling because of me?

"Hey, why are you smiling? I don't mean to sound rude it's just, the current situation we are in, most people wouldn't be smiling."

I hear her giggle and she looks at me.

"This isn't how I imagined how my afternoon would end up."

I don't blame her. Taking some random kid to the nurse's offices isn't exactly how I would want to spend my afternoon either. However, she is handling this pretty well. Almost as if she is having fun.

I can't help but notice her staring at me. Is there something on my face? Does she think I'm cute? However, I can't help but wonder if she notices me staring right back at her. Oddly enough, this feels just right. Our eyes locked in on each other creating a conversation that only the two of us will ever know. If only I could say what I'm thinking. Staring deep into those beautiful brown eyes. Fun fact (not really a fact. More of an observation or my personal opinion): Most people would find brown eyes not as attractive because it's such a "meh" color. I personally believe that brown eyes don't get the attention they deserve. And so I stare deep into her eyes. Continuing the conversation. I'm almost certain the nurse thinks we are two weirdos afraid to express our feelings to each other. It doesn't matter. I just don't want this moment to end.

"Justin! Justin, are you okay? Where does it hurt?"

Why aren't her lips moving? I think I'm having one of those dreams again. I hear the voice again. It sounds strangely familiar. My heart stops. Oh No!

"Mom, what are you doing here?"

"The nurse called me and said that you fell and hit your head pretty hard. My poor baby!"

"Mom, stop it!"

At the corner of my eye, I see Cara giggling. Great. Not only did I embarrass myself in front of her but my mother is managing to embarrass even more. Its official, my life sucks.

"How did this all happen?" my mother questioned me.

"I wasn't paying attention when I walked into Mrs. Parker's classroom and I tripped on a desk and hit my head on the floor"

Cara and I make I contact. She knows that isn't the actual reason. Creating a new conversation with our eyes, I beg her not to embarrass me a third time. This is already punishment enough.

"Excuse me, Justin's mom," whispers Cara

"I was in the classroom when Justin fell. He was coming to tutor me."

"Justin never told me he had a girlfriend."

"Oh no, we're not dating. He's a really close friend of mine."

Did you hear that? She said we are close friends. I'm pretty sure I look like a psycho right now with the biggest smile on my face. I immediately exit this world, sit back in a chair and replay the past five seconds over and over again. This day just went from a disaster to absolutely amazing.

"Alright Justin, let's get you home. Thank you again Cara for bringing him to the nurse."

"Of course! Hey Justin, we're still on for lunch tomorrow right?"

"Ummmmm . . . ummm," I mutter

She giggles one last time.

"Great! See you tomorrow."

Remember how I said that my day went from a disaster to absolutely amazing? Scratch that. This is the best day of my life.