The Third War

Dustin's Hospital Adventures II

The confused faces of all my new hospital mates stared at me with mixtures of shock, amusement, disproval, and annoyance. One girl had a red bandana with a blue flower on it pulled over her head. Her eyes matched the blue flower and glittered with amusement as she completely burst out laughing. I smiled glad to see someone was on Team Dusty. Carmen joined her in laughing.

One boy whose hair nearly touched his shoulders watched me with a careful, disapproving gaze. He almost beat Chip out of her, "Number One Best 'Not Amused' Expression" award.

I proudly helped her earn that one day when I went sliding into her on a trash can lid with, of course, the help of Max. Besides scowling boy sat slightly intrigued boy, he stared at me inquisitively like I was a puzzle whose pieces had been jammed into places they didn't fit.

I can't say I didn't feel that way.

His expression and slightly large ears reminded me of a very confused elephant. It took a lot to refrain from laughing.

The last girl had long, dark brown hair. It was thinning making me realize she must have been the newest person other than me. Her dark eyes gave none of her thoughts away. She had looked shocked at first, but while I had been examining Flower Girl, Scowl-y Face, and Elephant Boy, she had erased any trace of surprise.

I didn't like it.

Carmen finally composed herself and upon realizing I wasn't about to introduce myself, did it for me. "Well guys, this is Dustin."

Flower Girl, Elephant Boy, and Mystery Chick all nodded slowly. Flower Girl kept smiling reassuring me not everyone in the room wanted me dead. Scowl-y Face managed to scowl some more not looking impressed. I felt slightly offended. You would think the boy in a bright purple sweatshirt who entered a room squawing would get some street cred.

Figuring some gesture must be made, I waved, "Hello!"

Elephant Boy stood up, "We've been expecting you."

This was it, the end of Dusty.

All of my heroism and bravery melted as I imagined this council of undeniably evil people sucking my soul out. They would surely leave me a heartless, scowling shell just like scowl-y face. I would never see the sun! Or flowers! Kris and Phoebe would find me forever stuck looking like someone told me all the cupcakes had been eaten before I could have a third.

"....Are you okay?" Elephant Boy's face cracked into a grin, "You look pale as a ghost. I'm not about to suck your soul out."

I let out a choked squeak which set Flower Girl into another fit of giggles.

Carmen patted my shoulder, "He's very nervous."

Scowl-y Face snorted as Flower Girl stood up and walked over toward us, "There's no reason to be nervous. Elyan is just messing with you. I'm Macy by the way. It's a pleasure to meet you." She stuck her hand out for me to shake.

Wracking my brain for all the polite greetings Phoebe had taught me, I shook her hand and cleverly said, "You nice to meet." Somewhere in the mess of my head, I had jumbled up "nice to meet you" and "you too." Thoroughly mortified, I put my head in my hands as she burst out laughing once again.

Elephant Boy, apparently named Elyan, spoke up, "Couldn't choose what to say?"

I nodded keeping my head in my hands knowing my face had probably turned pink from embarrassment.

"Well, what guy wouldn't get flustered around Macy?" Carmen didn't help. At all. I looked up just to glare at her; she sent me a smile back. "The girl sitting is Jackie, and Grumpy Pants over there is Hap."