The Gifted

The Nurse Isn't Really a Nurse

(Malachi^)

Carmen's POV***

Several things are passing through my mind at once. Too many different thoughts zig-zagging their way into my brain all at the same time. I sway for a moment holding my hand up to my head. I felt so sick and nauseated, I could pass out at any moment.

Why the hell is Jackson at this school? Why does he have to ruin every good thing that happens to me? And how the hell did he even get accepted into C.P.S.G.E.? The last time I checked, his power was still low on the Richter scale. What kind of psychological torture is this? To have escaped from him and his "games" for years to only have him show up in my life again.

I open my eyes slowly only now noticing how hard it's raining. How long has it been raining? I don't even know, I don't even know anything. I hardly breathe, trying to remain calm; I don't need to have an anxiety attack. Especially this early in the year, all because of a stupid person? I can't let Jackson, no. I won't let Jackson control my life anymore. I am my own person, I am my own person, I am my own person, I am my own person, I am my own person... and I am fine. I repeat this fact over and over until it's the only thing I'm focusing on. Yes, I am fine.

Ellie's face is the only thing I can see clearly at the moment. Her golden hair filling up my peripheral vision. She looks concerned and upset, and she's also... looking down at me? She's saying something, but the only thing I can hear is the white noise ringing through my earlobes. I turn my head straining to the side, noticing the sea of legs and feet. I must have fallen, but I don't remember falling. Someone quickly crouches down in front of me waving their hand back and forth, bringing another wave of nausea.

It's Shawn. He looks really upset and angry, I want to ask him why, but I can't seem to form the words with my lips. A sharp pain in the back of my skull causes me to wince. I gently touch the side of my head feeling something warm and sticky. I bring my hand away slowly looking at the blood. I was bleeding, my head was bleeding, at the ranking tournament. For the longest time, I just stare at the blood running down my hand in complete bewilderment.

I feel my eyes widening as I continue to stare at the blood, bringing back more pictures and glimpses of the last time I was really injured... The jagged rocks in my arm, the skinned knee, the broken shoulder, and the dislocated ribs. All on the same night. All that pain rises up from my memory reminding me how much it hurt, and all that blood.

I sit up fast, almost smacking foreheads with Ellie. Thank God for fast reflexes. As suddenly as it was and wasn't, I could hear again. I kind of wish I couldn't. Everyone around me was speaking trying to get my attention; Ellie, Shawn, Aaron, Mrs. Sanders, Mr. Hample, Lucas, Cody, and Khalene. All speaking at once, nothing was making any sense.

"Carmen!"

"Are you okay?"

"How many fingers am I holding up?"

"What happened?"

"Why did she fall?"

"Why didn't you catch her?!!"

My head's spinning as I look back and forth between all the faces, trying to piece together who is talking and when. Everyone looming up above me looks down waiting for my response. Tears start pouring down my face. Why does everyone always expect me to have all the answers? Panicking, I forget to control my breathing, leaving myself gasping for air.

A disturbingly familiar face catches my attention, and I'm reminded that Jackson is indeed going to my school. My school. He's smirking at me from behind Khalene, his brown eyes still penetrate my core. He still has his left dimple from elementary school and dirty blonde hair. I guess some things will never change.