Smoke Fight Ride

Chapter 3

His hands and shirtfront are crimson stained due to the relentless blood flow, "Oh man, here, lean your head back and close the nostrils —yeah— that should stop it." She offers a palm sized pile of tissues from the inner pocket of a maroon blazer, he gladly obliges staring upright and muffling a strained thank you in his hands.

A massive pounding headache vibrates through his nose and eyes like the familiar sensation proceeding a splendid bruise, or in this case, unmistakable black eye. His first one ever.

The hallway was deserted apart from the distant shuffling of hurried feet, speed increasing closer to him and Mary who fails to subtly check her watch as a green shade tinges her skin.

She is restless to leave but torn with the responsibility of keeping Kit company despite her fear of spilt blood.

He reassures Mary understanding the impatience bustling within her, "You go, I can find the nurse or clean myself in the bathroom." His voice sounded congested and unfamiliar but nevertheless Mary apologises quietly, glad to begone of his situation obvious in her dash through the school entrance.

Two skinny hands grip his arm firmly causing his shoulders to jump in surprise, "Oh dear, that's a bloody mess." The voice Kit identifies as belonging to Nurse Applegate. A thin middle aged woman with degenerative eyesight. "Pun unintended." She adds.

His 'attacker' snickers casually leaning against a locker where he can see, arms and ankles crossed as she continues to chew her toothpick.

His gag reflex fights against him as he involuntarily swallows blood trickling down the back of his throat. "This is hardly a joke Miss Wight," She snaps, her fingers massaging his under eye earning another wince.

"Who did this to you Kit?" She inquires.

"Guilty." Nurse Applegate and Kit are met with the mystery girl sporting a blasé smirk, hand held up like someone waiting for a high five.

Her eyebrows disappear under a dark brunette fringe, facial dimples crease her face as she clicks her tongue clearly amused. "In my defence it wasn't even that hard." She adds matter-of-factly. If he could launch himself at her smug face he would do so without a second thought, but two problems prevented this.

One, she was a woman and he swore he'd never become one of those guys who hit women unless it was self defence. Two, he barely had the energy to stand with his nose continuing to bleed like an endless tap let alone muster the strength to retaliate.

"Is that true Mr Huang?" Nurse Applegate asks to reminding Kit of her presence once again his brain foggy with pain.

Surely enough Miss Wight surprises him a second time today answering with another question, "Don't believe me, eh? Well sorry to burst your bubble but I uphold morals of honesty regardless of the extensive damage my crimes have caused." She cocks her eyebrows mischievously, licking her seductive lips in a downcast stare which he dare not break out of spite.

"Enough out of you Belinda-"

"Billie." She bites back at Nurse Applegate, their stand off and snarls reminding him of two pugs ready to attack. Exhaling a furious sigh Kit is ushered toward the Nurse's office glaring at Billie as they pass who playfully salutes him, winking discreetly when they arrive outside Sick Bay.

"Tilt your head forward or you'll keep swallowing blood." As if she read his mind Kit ingests another gulp of blood on the verge of throwing up.

To his dismay, he follows her instruction and is instantly relieved of the metallic aftertaste in his mouth. He swears he hears one last retort as Billie strides in the opposite direction.

"Wuss."

Billie Wight. The most despicable human being he has ever encountered without a doubt. What gives her the right to do that? He has never broken a bone before, but when he does the first time it's by the hands of an unknown teenage girl?

His ego and pride couldn't be anymore deflated beyond repair.

The way she acts over confident and arrogant is unbelievably frustrating. He wants to abhor the curves and dips of her petite body lathered in layers of slimming black and the preview of a tattoo beneath her neck collar.

He shouldn't be thinking about these things considering she is responsible for his grief but as much as he detests her she has managed to pique his interest.

Hold up.

What the hell?

His mind should not be plagued with these disturbing thoughts, admiring his latest sworn enemy the first day of senior year? It's unthinkable. She broke his nose, just like that. No explanation. No valid reason. Not even an apology.

Shaking the idea from his mind he unable to remove his flushed cheeks as Nurse Applegate busies herself in the vast silence, readjusting a tightly wound bun.

Kit's eyes are sensitive to the overwhelming white colour scheme of the nurses office. He rarely ends up here thankfully but on the rare occasion he did it always felt depressing, the creeping tingle of claustrophobia rectifies him while she tinkers through several disorganised medicine cabinets and drawers.

A desktop computer, mouse and keyboard are the only contents present on the tabletop. It was all very plain. "Now dear, you're in for a painful week I'd say, no thanks to Ms Wight might I add. Heh, that rhymed." If he had the willpower to over exaggerate rolling his eyes into his skull without increasing the pain, he would.

*

One cold compress and several minutes of agonising examination under Nurse Applegate's expert —yet degenerative— eyes, Kit was good as new... well at least he was on the inside. 

Other than blood stained skin and clothes which might rise alarm bells given his current unkempt state, he was alright. The throbbing vibration in his nose has subsided greatly although the bone is still unaligned. 

"All right. Use the ice pack for at least fifteen to twenty minutes for three to four times a day. You're lucky she didn't cause any permanent damage but let's hope you aren't due for any yearbook photos or social family events anytime soon... are you by any chance?" She asks inspecting his dazed eyes hopefully. 

He shakes his head, imagining how he'd look in a yearbook picture if it was taken at this exact moment.

Luckily, the Tylenol starts to kick in weakening the pain shooting through him. "Thanks Ms Applegate." His voice is hoarse and dry, the taste of his own blood lingers with each hesitant swallow, his tongue like sandpaper. 

"No worries, dear. That should about patch you up, darlin'. Should you have any more discomfort I suggest your local medical practice or hospital, depending on the situation." Nurse Applegate's eyes are magnified slightly by her thick frame glasses gesturing to his partially swelled nose, an apologetic smile curling prematurely wrinkled lips.

Past her shoulder he catches a glimpse of his reflection. Dark purple hues tinge the corner of his under eyes also swollen although not obscuring his vision thankfully. "Talk about an awesome debut of my senior year." He mutters to himself.