C7 Chapter 7

A rectangular, purplish-blue and red book was flanked between my thumb and index finger. The woman in a turban on the cover winked and teased me to adventure back inside the book. I dismissed that thought. The book should be returned to Reno as soon as possible.

I walked through the corridor on the first floor, turned right to the corner of the next building. The school had three main buildings in U-shapes. The basketball court lay in the center of the school. A shout-out filled the basketball court. The school was having an annual basketball match now. Most of the students gathered and watched the players running around, dribbling, bouncing and throwing the ball into the basket. They clustered around the edge of the court while cheering up their team.

I tried to peer into the crowd, looking for Reno even though only one per cent of the possibility that the nerd was here. Like me, he was often captivated in the small world named book. The place I should visit first was the library. But the event attracted my attention. The earth forced my limbs to stand where I was. My gaze caught a boy in a red jersey, the boy who grabbed the invitation card out of my hand. Kevin. Was that the most popular student in this school? Why bothered? I shouldn’t have been here any longer.

I was about to turn around when unexpectedly the ball bounced up and hit my head. My week body fell. I felt dizzy. I felt like the stars whirling around my head. I couldn’t move. The accident muted any voices and sounds here. The crowds even turned quiet. The worst was that no one initiated to help me out. The accident that happened to me was just like an intermezzo, I guessed. I groaned and attempted to stand up. My hands held my head, doing the massage on it. Suddenly, a hand stretched out and reached toward me. That boy, Kevin was trying to pull me up. Our eyes met for a moment. Then, I realized and went away from there, ignoring the shout from Kevin’s mouth.

The pains stroke my head even stronger. I hardly bear it. I watered my hair in the restroom as the last effort to kill the pain. It didn’t work. The headache was getting serious.

“What happened? Why do you wash your hair? Are you okay?” Vera asked worriedly when she found me in the bathroom.

“I just get a headache.”

“Let me take you to the infirmary.”

“No, thank you. It will get better in a minute.”

“You are not a doctor. You can’t diagnose yourself.” She held my hand and guided me to the infirmary which was located on the first floor of the main building.

The big door welcomed us in the main building. This building consisted of headmaster and teachers’ office, infirmary, library, and students’ council room. We took the right turn to the corner after passing the receptionist desk across from the front door. The infirmary was around the corner, near the teachers’ office. A straight shoulder-length black haired woman with a slim and tall body in a white coat greeted us when we got into the room. She masked her heart-shaped face with a smile.

The room was clean, neat and cozy. The air conditioner circulated the fresh air. The clear white floor reflected the figures standing on it. It was also large enough quipped with some beds separated by the curtains dangling from the iron rods in the left side of the room. Two grey tall cabinets leaned on the light green wall opposite to the door. There was a desk with two chairs on both sides, next to the cabinets. The paperwork piled high on the desk. One trash bin was leaning against the wall, not far from the desk. Meanwhile, the small red bins containing hazard substances were put away in the corner of the room.

Vera sat facing the doctor. That girl helped me tell the doctor my case while I was lying on the bad inside by the curtain wall. After listening to Vera’s explanation, the doctor came closer to me and checked my blood pressure. She touched my forehead, then my hands. Her eyes bowled out seeing some black and blue bruises on my arms and legs.

“Are you sure you just fell? Your scars....”

“Yes. I fell near the basketball court hit by the ball.” I cut her unfinished sentence.

“But, it seems that you got the scars yesterday or last few days.”

“No. I’m fine.”

“Are you sure? Just tell me what just happened.” The doctor demanded.

“Just an accident in the basketball court like what I told you,”

“Nothing’s serious with your head. But, to be honest I’m just curious about your scars.” She paused. My heart was pounding, being scared that she would find out what happened. “You can come to me anytime just in case you need me. I’ll write some prescription for you. You just need to take a painkiller for your headache.” I felt relieved.

“Thank you.” That was the only thing I could say.

“Why don’t you tell the doctor?” Vera demanded when we just exited the door and walked down the corridor.

“Nothing to tell her,”

“Your scars,”

“Useless,” I responded to her unwillingly.

“Your scars need some treatments.” That was the same as Reno’s idea.

“Then, what? I’ll reap another scar.” Vera was jerked, speechless. “I’m going to the library.”

“At least, share all your pains with me. I’m your friend.” I swiveled to her.

“Thanks. You have helped me a lot. That’s more than enough.” I spun away and climbed up the stairs at the end of the corridor, going up to the library on the second floor.

The library was quiet. The empty chairs circled the tables in the center of the room. I passed the towering bookshelves filled with various books. I couldn’t find anyone in the library except the glasses boy sitting at the seat by the window. The book absorbed his focus so that he didn’t realize my coming. I minded my steps toward him.

“Here’s your book.” I put the book in front of the boy and took a seat across the table. He was a little bit surprised to see me.

“That’s yours, now.”

“Thanks, but I can’t accept it.”

“Why?”

“I just don’t want it.” I surged to my feet

“What about your scars?” He closed the book he was reading and stood up. “You should see a doctor.”

“No. It’s okay. I’m alright.”

“My uncle is a doctor. I can take you to see him.” He kept pursuing and convincing me.

“I’m fine. No need a doctor or any other medical professionals!” I spat a denial.

“Ilana, wait.” He grabbed my right arm when I’m about to leave. I felt the time stopped for a second before I freed my upper arm from his grip.

“What?”

“You might need this.” He took out the plaster from his pocket. I hesitantly received the plaster.”

“Thanks.”

“I care for you,” he said aloud before I reached the library door.