Equinox

Chapter 23 - Nico

I woke up in the infirmary with the blinds drawn and the lights off.

I was pretty sure we were still playing Capture the Flag. What was I doing in here?

I moved to get up, but as I did, I realized my wrist was casted. Okay, so maybe I broke my wrist. That shouldn't have stopped me from playing.

"Oh, finally, you're awake," somebody said from the darkness. Kayla, maybe?

"What—" I started.

" 'What am I doing here?' They all ask that. You got hurt, stupid. That's why you're in here."

Kayla moved closer and pulled up a chair beside the bed I was in. In her hand was a strawberry and banana smoothie. They only served those at breakfast.

"You got beat up pretty bad. Bruised stomach. Broken wrist. Minor concussion— that's why the lights are off. Oh, and you got stabbed in the leg." She took a long sip of the smoothie in her hand. To my horror, she was right. I pushed back the warm comforter on the bed (it didn't match the others at all— it was a pretty golden one I felt like I'd seen before) and I stared down at my thigh. A large blood-soaked bandage wrapped itself around it. And even worse: I was wearing a pair of athletic shorts. Athletic shorts. That should be considered a crime against fashion. Who even wears athletic shorts? I was also wearing a much too big and much too bright yellow t-shirt I assumed must have been Will's.

"Ew. I'm not changing that. Will can do it when he gets back."

"Where is he?" I whispered. Kayla smirked.

"Counselor's meeting. Should be back in a little bit. You should have seen him last night, though. He carried you in, screaming. It was hilarious."

"What— why was he screaming?"

"You were hurt. And passed out. Dude, he was freaking the heck out. We finally managed to shove him out so we could get you taken care of."

"Oh. Is he... okay?"

"Well, yeah. He didn't get hurt. It doesn't matter. Are you feeling alright? You're looking paler than usual."

"I guess. My leg hurts."

"Can I get you anything?"

"No, I'm okay. I think, at least."

The door opened quietly. In the doorway stood Will, peaking in.

"Do I get to come in now?" He whispered. Kayla rolled her eyes as he advanced.

"You idiot, its not like he has a concussion or whatever. No need to whisper."

"...Kayla, we literally diagnosed him with a concussion."

"Tomato, semantics."

"What?"

Kayla stuck out her tongue in response. Will rolled his eyes and sat on the foot of my bed. He took my hands tenderly, making the hairs on the back of my neck stick up.

"Are you doing okay? Can I get you something? I'm so sorry I let that happen to you."

"Will, it's not your fault." I rested one hand on his cheek, like he did normally to me. Kayla gagged in the background.

"You're so overly sweet with each other. Just date already," she said, leaning back with her smoothie.

Will glared at her in response. I shrugged it off. "Will, let it go," I whispered to him. He sighed and dropped my hands gently.

"Does your bandage need to be changed?"

"Yes; it looks like somebody spilled ketchup on the bandage," Kayla said.

"Shut up, Kayla. Bring me the bandages."

She rolled her eyes and moved to do her job.

"Where's Austin?" I asked as Will moved to unwind the bandage. I rested my hands on his shoulders.

"Oh, he's playing field nurse for a game of Death Football. The American kind," he added. As he tossed the bloodied bandage, I realized how messy the wound was. Despite being stitched, it was still red. I opted to look away. I'd seen a lot of gross things, and I wasn't up to see any more. Oh, well. Not like the scar would stick out on my already pretty well-scarred body.

Kayla tossed a roll of bandages to Will and sat back down on her rolly stool.

Will wrapped the wound with as much care as possible. Once he finished, I managed to give him a small smile despite the pounding in my head.

"You look like you need a hug," he decided. I rolled my eyes, hands still on his shoulders. I removed them and wrapped my arms around his waist, burying my head in his shoulder. He sniffed, reciprocating. Kayla gagged again.

"Don't be like that, Kayla," Will chided as my face was still resting on his chest. "Look. Remember when he was in here the first time? He almost bit me."

"Whatever."

I finally let go of him.

"Do you want me to go grab you one of your own t-shirts? The one you were wearing got messed up."

"No. This one is fine," I decided.

"Is that only because it's mine?"

"...No?"

"Oh, sure. That sounded confident."

"Shut up."

"You know exactly what I'm going to say, don't you?"

"Yes. But it's not happening. You got a kiss yesterday."

"Please?"

"No."

He sighed. "Always worth trying, I suppose."