Blinded Love

Teasing & Making Plans

"Oh dear what happened?" The school nurse asked as Sterling, Ashley, and I walked in. "Come in. Sit here on the bed." Sterling and I walked over to the bed. As I went to jump on top Sterling lifted me up gracefully. A heat rushed to my cheeks.

"Marcy Mays is what happened." Ashley said with an eye roll. "How were we ever friends?" She said more to herself than us.

"I ask myself that same question." I said sadly. Ashley frowned and sat on the bed with me. Sterling took a seat on the chair beside the bed.

"That girl is rotten. A bad nut." The nurse said causing me to laugh.

"You can say that again." She smiled and handed me a wet rag.

"Clean the blood up while I go get some ointment for your lip sweetie." She patted my leg and walked out. I began to wipe around my mouth not sure where the blood was. Apparently I wasn't doing a good job because Sterling got up and took the rag from me.

"No offense but you're doing a terrible job." He teased. "Let me." I froze as he lightly wiped below my lip and down my chin. I couldn't breath. I couldn't think. My whole body shut down as he stood so close. All I managed to do was stare at his face. A face that was always hidden behind those glasses. "I'm sorry I wasn't here to stop her." He said quietly.

"It's okay." Was all I could manage. His words shocked me. He didn't know Marcy would do anything yet he still wished he could have been there sooner. Is this a dream because Sterling Archer you're too good to be true. Once I thought those words another word popped into my head. Gang. No matter how good he seemed he was in a gang and I couldn't be part of that. I needed to distance myself and quickly.

"Thanks." I said after he finished. He didn't move, didn't reply. He just stood in front of me and stared at me. "What?" I asked now growing self-conscious. His eyebrows pulled down as if he was concentrating.

"Stay inside at night, okay? I got to go." He quickly turned to Ashley. "Take care of her." Without another word he left. Stay inside? Did he know about the accident with the wolves? No, that wasn't possible. Then it clicked. He was warning me because of Marcy's gang. But why would Ashley have to look after me? I turned to Ashley.

"I'm so-"

"Attracted to my brother!" Ashley squealed. My mouth dropped open.

"Wh-what? You don't-"

"Don't try to deny it. I saw you blush every time he touched you and the way you froze like a statue when he was cleaning your face." She laughed.

"You can't tell him!"

"He already knows." She laughed.

"He does? How?"

"He's more observant than you know. Don't worry he likes you too I'm sure he'll ask you out sooner or later." This time I laughed. "What? Why are you laughing?"

"First off Sterling and I don't even know each other. We have one class together and he wasn't even here the last two days. Secondly I just got out of a relationship. There's no way we're dating anytime soon."

"Whatever you say." Was her reply.

"I found it!" The nurse sang as she came in with a tube of ointment and a q-tip. "Let me just rub a bit on that busted lip." She said as she softly dabbed my bottom lip. "You're pretty lucky your boyfriend and friend got there in time. I'm sure one more punch to the mouth and your lip would have tore a bit too much and you'd have to get stitches."

"Oh he's not my boyfriend." The nurse pulled back and frowned.

"It sure seemed like he was, but that's none of my business." She teased. "Okay. You're all good to go. It should scab over in a few days just be careful." She smiled.