“I’m surprised you came in alone,” he says casually, as he starts to wrap my hand up.
“Actually, I was wondering if I could ask y-you f-f-for a favor.” I can’t meet his eyes, as he rises to his full height, once he’s finished with my hand.
“Of course, anything.”
I get off the table and walk over to his desk, grabbing a piece of paper and a pen. I don’t know why, but after what Aeron said about having cameras around, I don’t think I can be too careful in this situation.
I write down what I need and pass it over, his eyes widen as his face goes bright red.
“Luna, please, tell me you’re…”
“No, of course not. Don’t be ridiculous,” I hiss, as I look at the paper. He glances around the room, and I think he comes to the same understanding that I have.
Cole: Are you pregnant???
Three question marks, that’s rather unnecessary.
Me: No, but a friend of mine is worried she could be. Please, she’s scared what could happen if anyone finds out, especially if it turns out to be a false alarm. I think it’s just nerves, but she wants to be sure.
“Okay, your hand is going to be quite painful for a few days, considering where you’ve injured it. I’ll get you some painkillers to help take the edge off. You may as well accompany me, seeing as we’re done here.” He screws the paper up and slips it into his pocket, before walking out.
I follow him over to the medical cupboard and he grabs three boxes, his eyes fall to my bag and I quickly open it. He passes me the painkillers and a couple extra bandages, before something falls into my bag. I didn’t even see him do it.
“Thank you, Doctor,” I say softly, and he smiles, right as heavy footsteps fill the air and I can feel Tucker looming behind me. His scent wraps around my frame, and I can’t stop myself from leaning back slightly.
“Tiny One, are you okay?” He tilts my chin up, until our eyes meet. I ignore Cole’s disgruntled noise, and don’t even look as he slams the door closed and disappears back into his office.
“I’m okay, Tuck, but I couldn't really wait. The knife went pretty deep.” I wave my injured hand between us, and my breath comes out in a staccato rhythm as he drops a gentle kiss over the bandage.
“Okay, baby, as long as he didn’t try anything.” His eyes glare at the door, and I use my hand to bring his attention back to me.
“Not at all, I doubt I’d even notice if he did. I only have eyes for my guys.” My heart lurches as I realize what I just said. Shit, shit, shit. It’s one thing thinking it to myself, it’s another actually saying it to one of them.
“Come on, Tiny One. Let’s get you back to your room. I have an hour until I have to leave. Let me show you exactly what one of your guys can do.” He kisses me hard enough to make me see stars, before leading me away. The test burns a hole through my bag, but I push it out of my mind, at least until I can get her alone.
D pulls me into her arms the minute I’m inside her room, I guess she must have heard about my hand.
“Damn, Homegirl, you really need to stop getting injured. I swear you’re trying to give me a heart attack.” She places her hands on her hips, and I’m trying so hard not to laugh.
“Sorry, D. I’ll try harder next time.”
“Yeah, course you will.” She rolls her eyes, before dragging me over to her sofa, and making me sit down.
“So, what's this big plan for after we graduate?”
“A girls only trip. Just you, me, and Caitlyn. I think it would be amazing, I mean we could go anywhere. Ibiza, Caribbean, Hawaii. I wouldn’t mind licking the abs on one of those fire dancers.” She waggles her brows, and I choke on my laugh.
“Do you think Jake would mind you licking their abs?” I quirk a brow, and she waves a hand at me.
“Fine, then I’ll fantasize about doing it then. Either way, there’s bound to be some eye candy.”
“Yeah, ‘cause the guys here are so hideous.” I smirk, and she hits me with one of the cushions on her sofa.
“Someone’s feeling a little sarcastic today, hmm, girlie. Anyway, what do you think? Just the three of us for a couple of weeks. You know, so we don’t lose touch.” Her eyes mist over, and any joke reply dies on my tongue.
I had no idea she was worried about that, as if I could ever let her go. She’s the best friend I never knew I needed or wanted.
“D, you are not going to lose me. I can promise you that now. No matter what happens, I think it’s safe to say that any friendship made here, can stand the test of time.” I wrap my arms around her, as she shudders against me.
“I know, but it’s scary. I know this place has it’s dangers. But I know the rules here, and how the place works. When I leave, I’m going to be alone. I don’t have any family waiting for me, I have no one outside of these walls.” Her voice breaks, and I pull away, before holding onto her shoulders.
“What do you mean you don’t have any family? You have me, and I sure as heck see you as family. I love you like a sister, and you will never be alone. But if this trip means that much to you, then let's do it. To celebrate surviving this place, not as some weird attempt to keep a friendship going, because this friendship isn't going anywhere. I don’t abandon my family, ever.” Tears are streaming down her cheeks, and I’m right there with her. By the time Caitlyn arrives, we’re a blubbering mess, but she just smiles, shoves on a movie, and joins in the big ol’ family hug.
I manage to find Elena pretty early, nursing a mug of coffee in the mess hall. She’s by herself, which is strange for her, but good for this situation.
“Hey, Elena, would you like to go for a walk?” I ask, as I eat a slice of toast I grabbed, not even bothering with a plate. No time for that it seems.
Her eyes widen, as she nods her head, and quickly gets to her feet. I leave the mess hall, and she follows behind me, until we make it to the wing her room is on.
“It may be easier here. I don’t know if Emmet will turn up at mine.”
“Sure, let’s go.” Her hands are shaking as she leads me inside, and I slip my bag off before handing her the test. She clutches the box tightly, before disappearing into her room. Moments before her head peeks back round the doorframe.
“I know we’re not exactly friends, but…”
“Of course I’ll stay.” I give her a soft smile, and relief swarms her eyes, before she goes into the bathroom and closes the door behind her.
It isn’t long before she comes back into me, and shakes her head. I know it hasn’t been long enough yet, so I watch the clock, as we sit and wait in silence. I should probably offer some comforting words, but I don’t even know where to begin. It’s probably safer to be quiet, and wait until we know for sure.
“It’s time,” I say softly, as her head jerks up, but she doesn’t move. “Do you want me to check for you?” She nods slowly, and I may not have offered if she didn’t look so terrified. She has next to no color in her face, and she’s shaking worse than a leaf in a hurricane.
I walk into the bathroom, check the instructions on the box so I don't misread the results, and then look down at the test, perched on the edge of the bath. I stare for a few moments, making sure I’ve read it properly before walking out into her living room. Her leg is bobbing furiously, as she chews on her nails. Her eyes are staring into me, and I swallow hard as I nod my head.