Fighting Back

Chapter 3

"Do you think she's alive?"

"Of course she is Nash. She's still breathing"

"Guys just shut up for God's sake"

I heard the voices around me as I tried to open my eyes and sit up.

"Woah sunshine, you don't have to get up. You have nowhere to go in a hurry now", Matt said standing beside where I was lying down.

Looking around, I figured I was in the nurse's room. I took a look at the other two people who stood behind Matt giving me curious glances.

When I saw the girl, I knew she was the one who saw me black out in the washroom. She gave me a small smile.

"Thank you for bringing me here.", I said to her.

"Well, technically I wasn't the one to bring you here. I panicked when I saw you black out and called Matt for help. And Jake here," she pointed to the guy beside her,"thought he'd accompany us so that he could bunk his class"

The guy named 'Jake' gave her a playful smack and grinned guiltily.

"Oh, I forgot. I'm Natasha, but I like you, so you can call me Nash", she stepped forward offering her hand to shake.

"I'm Stephanie",I replied by shaking her hand.

"I guess you are hungry. Me and Jake will grab something for you", she said and pulled Jake along with her as she went to get me food, which left me and Matt alone in the room.

Where was the nurse when I needed her?

"So you ended up fainting instead of peeing", he joked to keep the awkwardness off the air.

I laughed and kept quiet. I had no clue how to reply to that, talk about being awkward.

"It wasn't because you wanted to pee right? Is it something that had to do with me?", he asked.

I was taken aback by the question. I thought he did believe me when I said I needed to go to the washroom.

I stuttered, not knowing how to reply. He grabbed my hand and told me,"It's fine, you don't have to tell me anything. I'm glad you're doing okay now."

"It wasn't because of you", I assured him.

We stayed like that before Nash and Jake entered the room with pasta and coke. Nash's lips widened into a smirk when she caught sight of my hand. Confused, I looked down to see Matt still holding my hand. Matt must have realised the same since he took his hand away.

Nash didn't utter a word as she gave me the pasta. I muttered a thank you, and began eating. The three of them got into a conversation while I ate.

"Here, let me grab it. You have a class now right? Go ahead, I'll drop them in the bin", Nash said as she picked up my empty cup and the box which had pasta.

I nodded greatfully and got up from the bed. Matt immediately rushed to my side and took a strong hold of my arms. I winced from the pain that shot up my arm, and he profusely apologised. I could feel Nash and Jake burning holes behind my head as I walked out with Matt beside me.

I walked towards my locker to grab my books and remembered that my Biology books were still in the lab. As I turned back to ask Matt about them, I collided with his chest causing me to take a few steps back.

"What's wrong with you? Stop walking so close to me!", I yelled.

"Sunshine, I know you wanted to speak with me and that's exactly why you turned around. Didn't you?", he asked smiling goofily.

"Where's my Bio book?", I asked not wanting to waste anymore time. I was already late for my next class.

"I kept them in your locker. You have Maths next, I'll walk you to your class", he said as he leaned against the locker beside mine.

"You don't have to walk me to my class, Matt", I said as I took my books.

"I don't want people to blame me if you fell down on the floor again. It would be the second time today. Save yourself from embarrasssment and let me walk you to class", he said referring to morning's incident.

"Okay" was all I replied.

"Enjoy your class", he said and turned back to walk upon reaching my Maths class.

"Thank you"

"Save it, you'll regret thanking me soon enough", he said without turning to look at me.

Confused what he meant by that, I apologised to the teacher for being late and entered the class.