Careless Magic book 1

Chapter 9

I regained consciousness in an unfamiliar place. My head was pounding and my mouth felt like sandpaper. The electricity inside me slowed to a soft hum and my blood temperature cooled down a bit. I must have been in the Nurse's Office because I was lying on a soft cot and a metal medicine cabinet sat directly to the left of me.

As I slowly pulled myself into a sitting position, I realized I was not alone. I rubbed my eyes and moved my tongue around in my mouth, but it was no use. I needed a glass of water.

Arms folded, Principal Saint sat at a desk, staring. A wave of trepidation swept over me.

"Are you feeling alright, Ms. Matthews? You took quite a fall," his distinct, elegant voice was crisp and serious. He stood up and reached over to hand me a glass of water. I took it, my hands trembling a bit, and drank it quickly.

"I think so," I still felt weak, and my head was especially fuzzy. "Thank you," I said hesitantly. He took the cup out of my hand and walked over to fill it again at a sink positioned behind him.

"For what?" he sounded surprised.

"For the water.... and for not letting me fall," I replied matter-of-factly.

"I did no such thing. You did fall; you fell hard. The student, who brought you here, said you possibly had a seizure. I am here to make sure that you don't have another," his voice was full of conviction, but I could have sworn I saw him catch me.

"A seizure?" I said pretending to be confused. Although confident that I was conscious of what was happening to me, I was not so sure now. I didn't remember hitting the floor at all. I rubbed the back of my head, but nothing felt sore or tender.

"Yes, Mr. Angelo said you began shaking uncontrollably before passing out; you were fortunate he was near and able to act so quickly. Do you not remember any of this?" he looked at me skeptically.

"No," I said simply. I leaned my head forward to look at the ground, letting my long hair fall in front of my face. I could not look at this man in the eye when I lied to him; he seemed as if he would be impervious to a dishonest student. Obviously still confused, I didn't remember Talbott being there at all.

"Hmmm..." he clearly didn't buy it; but I wasn't sure I bought it either. "Well, the important thing is that you are alright. Do you have any idea of what could have caused this? Has this happened before? What is the last thing you remember?"

"I don't know," I paused, trying to remember what happened. What made me convulse so terribly? "I remember talking with Kiran and then nothing."

"Mr. Kendrick?" Principal Saint's voice raised in alarm, although I had no idea why. "This is worse than I thought," he mumbled cryptically under his breath. "Eden, I am afraid there is something we need to discuss. This has gotten out of control," he looked at me gravely, but did not attempt to stand or come closer. A feeling of dread washed over me, but before he could continue, Mrs. Truance stepped through the door.

"Eden's aunt is here, sir. Would you like me to send her in?" I was amazed at the tone of respect Mrs. Truance used with Principal Saint. Her quiet, subservient demeanor was nothing I had ever seen her exhibit before.

Yes, that would be fine. I am sure she is anxious to see her niece," Mrs. Truance left the room and Principal Saint turned his attention back to me. "Our discussion will have to wait. I am sending you home for the day, and strongly suggest you take the rest of the week off to recuperate. Kingsley does not tolerate sick and fainting students." He said it with finality and stood to take his leave.

"Oh my word, Eden are you all right?" Aunt Syl was through the door and in front of my face before I could react. She was still in her green doctor's scrubs, and her hair was frazzled. She reached out to put my face in her hands and I inhaled the strong smell of hospital soap.