Ocean Breeze

7- Ryan

I was pouring sweat but I couldn't bring myself to get out of the bed. It had been two weeks since detention and it was once again Friday and I had started feeling horrible Thursday afternoon. I had made it through art but didn't have the strength to do much on my jug. We still had another week but I wanted to have time to complete every little detail. Who was I kidding, yeah I loved art but I wanted to see Ms. Austin. I had a hard time getting any work done with her walking around the classroom in tight jeans and shirts with necklines just low enough to see her cleavage. I sounded like a perv but damn was she hot. Like my head that was currently throbbing. I leaned over the edge of the bed puking into the trash can for the third time. I had lied to Ashley telling her I was going to skip. She was pissed but I didn't want her to worry. I leaned back taking a sip of the luke warm water I had gotten myself yesterday.

I couldn't go to school if I tried. I felt like death warmed over but that was the norm lately. I rolled back over shoving my fingers in my temples trying to relieved the pain. As much as I wanted to see Ms. Austin I couldn't muster up the energy to crawl out of bed. Things had been good with her. She managed to check on me and show interest in my work at least once during each class period but didn't linger. Even though we hadn't talked much I still caught myself staring at her and even feeling her gaze on me.

—-

It was Sunday afternoon before I felt any better. It was still touch and go but I had vomited so many times there was nothing left to go. I had forced myself to go to school Monday but skipped on Tuesday not feeling like I had the strength to do anything. On Monday I spent most of the day with my head down, even during art. Ms. Austin checked on me once and I was able to brush her off without looking up. I felt like I was on the mend now, or as close to it as I was going to get so I made myself get up and tackle school. Ashley had gotten her car back last week so I at least had another day or so to start looking less sick since I had been avoiding her.

My headache had come back during English but I figured I could hang off to the side in team sports to recuperate before art. Boy was I wrong. Coach Dawson was pissed over a fight between dumb ass freshman so he told everyone to run ten laps before they could leave. He couldn't actually hold anyone passed the bell but the under clansman didn't know it. I ran my ten. As bad as my head hurt I couldn't let some of the baseball guys show me up.

I stumbled down the hall towards my art class trying to will my pain to go away. Ms. Austin was standing outside her room talking to another teacher like normal when she felt my eyes on her and glanced my way. It had happened like this everyday for the last two weeks. She would see me, we would make eye contact, and she would look away and continue her conversation.

Today when she glanced my way she didn't try to look away she kept her focus on me. It was either my black baggie T-shirt, ripped black jeans jeans, and black and white Vans that had her mesmerized or the look of death I was sporting. I cringed as the pain pulsed through my body. Yep, it was the look of death. I saw her turn away from her conversation and walk towards me. I reached out for the wall to brace myself but the darkness closed in over me as I collapsed to the floor.

—-

I forced my eyes open despite the sharp pain above my right eye. I looked directly into a pair of crystal blue eyes staring into mine and searching. Ms. Austin had a worried look on her face. She suddenly backed up and looked away as the nurse came back into the room.

"Looks like you took a pretty hard fall Ms. Cooper. I wiped down the area but you're going to need at least 5 stitches I'd say. I can call your parents and have them come get you and take you to the hospital." The nurse stated.

"No need. I can drive myself thanks."

The nurse countered back quickly as I sat up, "I don't think so. You can't drive and I've got to release you to someone I can trust to get you medical attention."

"My parents are in Haiti on a mission trip." I felt Ms. Austin staring but didn't look away from the nurse as I continued. "They've been gone about a month and won't be back until May."

"Who have you been living with?" the nurse asked with a concerned tone.

"I stay by myself. My parents travel to other countries for months at a time building schools and orphanages. They trust me, and I've never given them a reason not to, so I stay by myself. Don't worry they check in regularly and so do my neighbors." The nurse seemed shocked by my answer.

"Look I've got to release you to an adult. I know your 17 but I legally can't release you witho..."

"I'll take her." Ms. Austin cut in. "Elaine has already taken over my class for the day so I'll take her and drive her home."

The nurse seemed to be pleased by Ms. Austin volunteering and I couldn't help but saying I was too.

—-

The hospital had been busy for a Wednesday afternoon but had gotten me in and out quickly. I ended up with 7 stitches and a heavy dose of a pain killer. I could still feel the throbbing in my head but otherwise I felt great. Ms. Austin supported my weight as we got out of the car and went inside. She held tight to my arm and waist as we made our way upstairs to my bedroom. I could smell her sweet perfume and feel her soft skin on my hip where my shirt had risen up.

Once we reached my bedroom I yanked my shirt over my head without warning and slipped off my shoes. I found my way to my bed and plopped down. I was drifting in and out of consciousness and start reaching around for a blanket. I heard movement in the room and forced my eyes open as Ms. Austin leaned over me draping the blanket over my body.

I reached out and placed my hand on her soft cheek. I felt her tense as I ran my hand down her face. I was feeling bold with the pain killers on my side as I ran my thumb over her bottom lip. Her light brown hair had fallen down on one side of her face and I pushed it behind her ear. I felt myself drift to sleep as I let my hand fall away.