Maya's Next Step

Part 146

Carina POV

"Oh bambina," I sighed, opening the door to see Winter curled up on her bed in a foetal position, pale and shivering.

I rushed straight over to her, dropping my bag down beside her bed.

"C-Carina," she said quietly, surprised it was me.

"Si bella, it's Carina," I said calmly, sitting on the edge of her bed.

"Here, let me feel," I said, reaching out to feel her forehead.

"You're really clammy Winter," I told her, reaching down to find the thermometer in my bag.

"Y-you should go," she said, trying to pull her thin cover over her.

"Please, go Carina," she said, wincing between each word as though it even hurt to talk.

"I'm just here to help you bella," I said calmly.

"I don't need h-help," she said unconvincingly.

"It's okay bambina, I just want to make sure you're okay,"

"You can't see me like this," she cried.

"Bambina, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. I'm a doctor, I can help"

"I don't want you to think I'm t-trouble," she admitted.

"Winter, you're sick piccola. Everybody gets sick sometimes. It's nothing to be ashamed about,"

"But ..."

"No buts bella, you're no trouble and you're not in trouble. I just want to help," I told her again.

"Can Carina check to see what's going on?" I asked calmly.

She nodded and wiped away a few tears. I took the electric thermometer and turned it on.

"How long have you felt like this bambina?" I asked, holding it in front of her head and waiting for it to read her temperature.

"I had a headache last n-night. But I w-woke up like this," she explained weakly, just as we heard the beep.

102.5

I sighed and quickly wrote the number down in the notes of my phone to keep track.

"Your temperature is high bambina. We need to try and get it down," I explained.

"How do I do that?" The young girl asked emotionally.

"You don't need to do anything Winter. Let me look after you,"

"I'm a doctor remember?" I winked, stroking her damp hair off of her face.

She smiled softly in response.

"I'm gonna give you some medicine to bring your temperature down. I'll just go get you some water because it's not the nicest taste," I said, about to stand up only to be stopped by Winter reaching out for me.

"Hey va bene bella, va bene," I soothed, placing my hand over the top of hers that was clutching my arm.

"Give me two minutes, I'll be right back," I assured her, gently moving her hand.

I rushed out of her room and back down the stairs in search of the kitchen.
At a glance, the house looked a little shabby and run down, full of the clutter and belongings of lots of kids.
The kitchen was messy and untidy from breakfast with dishes left out on every surface. I damaged through the cupboards to find a clean glass, washing it thoroughly before filling it up with water for Winter.

When I returned to her bedroom, she had rolled over onto her front, laying flat on her stomach, a leg bent and arm across her pillow.

"Bambina?" I said, letting her know I was back.