C14 Sharing Each Other's Problem

Isla kept trying to open the door but to no avail. She could hear Phidelia's gasp fading gradually with every passing second. "Hung in there Delia." She slammed her body into the door to try and get it opened but it only left an unbearable pain from its impact. "Argh!" she groaned, holding her right shoulder with her left hand as she winced in apprehension; lurking around.

At his rate, some of the passing students had started gathering around with everybody murmuring among themselves as they didn't know what was going on.

On the other hand, Claire was also on her way with Rowan, praying and hoping to herself that nothing would happen to Phidelia. It was at this point that things became clear to Rowan. He hastily snatches his hand from Claire.

"I will take the lead." He muttered as he raced off. He got to the washroom to see a few crowded students at the door with Isla trying to get the door opened by herself. He rushed into the crowd, pushing his way through. Just as he got to the door, he dropped the bags. "Step aside Isla." He commanded, pacing backward. Just then, Claire joined them, taking her to stand beside Isla as she pants out of breath.

"Is she okay?" She questioned.

"Let's hope so." Isla hastily replied as she took a glance at her and then back to Rowan. They both watched as he paced backward a few more steps and then ran into the door, thumping it hard with his left shoulder. It instantly flew open only to see Phidelia lying on the floor almost out of breath.

"Delia!" He shouted and rushed in. The little crowd outside was thrown into rumpus as they broke into murmurs among themselves with none of them knowing what happened. Isla and Claire glanced at the crowd and slightly shook their heads with Claire picking up the bags.

Rowan rushed to Phidelia's side and knelt over her, lifting her upper body on his lap. At that moment, Claire and Isla also walked.

"Claire, the inhaler." He pointed to the small pocket on the front of the bag. She hurriedly rummaged through the pocket she was shown and pulled the inhaler out, handing it over to Rowan. They waited with bated breath as they watched Rowan administer the inhaler to Phidelia. On the first, the second, and after the third, they saw Phidelia's breath gradually returning to normal. Both Claire and Isla involuntarily closed their eyes briefly as they expressed a sigh of relief.

Phidelia fully regaining her consciousnesses, slowly lifted her gaze to the body which was supporting her on the floor only to see Rowan.

"Glad you're finally back." He smiled.

"Oh Rowan–" She cried, hugging him. He was thrown into quite a surprised look as she took him off guard. He glanced at Isla and Claire before brushing his hand through Phidelia's hair to calm her down.

After a few minutes of staying in that position, the bell rang. All the crowded students outside started to disperse in groups to their classrooms.

"I think we should start going now guys," Claire announced and Phidelia for the first time turned to see Isla with them too. "Isla?" she uttered, stunned.

"Why so surprised, huh?" she queried with a slightly raised chin. "Didn't I tell you Tina is a package full of trouble? You should stay out of her way." She spat and without waiting for another word from any of them, hurried off to her class.

Claire took a glance at her back and scoffed, "Why blabbing now?" She glanced back at Phidelia who was by now on her feet with Rowan standing beside her. "You should have seen her face while you were locked up in here. She was so– damn worried. Come on, let's go." She handed their bags to them and took the lead with both of them following after her.

After a few minutes of walking through the hallway to the corridors, they finally got to the spot where Claire had to leave them to her class. "I'm sorry Delia. All this happened to you because of me."

"Don't say that Claire," Phidelia snapped in. "You said it yourself, Tina doesn't need any reason to bully someone. You should get to class now, we're already late."

"Alright, see you after school then." They bid their farewell and Claire raced off through the other corridor which led to her class while Rowan and Phidelia also went their way.

The silence from the class when they got to the door was enough to tell them that a teacher was in already. Rowan slowly pushed the door open with Phidelia following after. Just as they closed the door, Mr. Park gazed at them with his arms folded on his chest. "Where are you two coming from Rowan?"

"Mm...sorry we're late Mr. Park. Phidelia had issues with her health."

"I'm sorry Mr. Park. It's my fault we're late."

He stared at Phidelia for some seconds and sighed. "Alright, go and have your seats. And you should be more careful Phidelia."

"I will Mr. Park." She hastily answered and they trod off to their seats. Tina glanced at them and scoffed inaudible, offering a sly grin that told nothing.

They took their seats and Rowan looked in Tina's direction who quickly turned away.

"Let's continue where we left off. Rowan, you can get the notes from your friends. Ruka, continue reading from stanza 3." He requested and the lessons went on with everybody listening attentively and taking notes.

After an hour and a half, the bell went off to change lessons and the rest of the school hours passed by with no special happenings except assignments and group work. Yet still, Tina had her mind wandering on what to do next to make Phidelia know her position in the school.