I settled back into the bed, my mind whirring. What was I going to say to them when I got out of here? How was I supposed to handle all of this?
Part of me actually wanted them to keep me in here for a few days so I could try to work things out in my head. But I knew that wouldn’t help. There wasn’t any impending doom. Nobody was trying to kill me, there wasn’t a mad dash to get my magic back. Things were about as normal as they could be for The Academy of the Elites.
Leave it to me to create a problem from something I should be thrilled to have. I knew I was the luckiest girl alive to be surrounded by so many males who wanted me to be happy. I knew our connection wasn’t something to take lightly. But that didn’t mean it was easier to navigate. I closed my eyes, hoping that maybe a nap would help me pass the time.
Soon enough, I woke to the sound of the curtain being pulled back again. The nurse walked in, alone this time.
“If your temperature and your dilation are back to normal, you’ll be able to go.” She leaned down and felt my forehead with her hand. “But I do recommend you go to your own bed and restalonetonight. You’re still recovering.”
I frowned, not trusting myself to comment. I wasn’t sure how much she assumed about me. Or what she actually knew. Either way, she was probably right and a good night’s sleep would be rather nice.
The nurse flashed a light in each of my eyes, then stood. She gave a satisfied nod. “You’re all clear. But I recommend you don’t hit your head again any time soon.”
“Got it,” I said, really, really hoping that nothing else dramatic or life threatening happened until the trials. Those were going to be bad enough as it was.
Taking her advice, I went straight to my room once I was discharged. A few people stared at me in the halls and I noticed whispered conversations as I walked by. It wasn’t anything out of the ordinary at this point. I was getting used to being a mainstay of gossip around here. Plus, I was too tired to worry about anything other than my nice warm bed.
“You’re back!” Makayla jumped up from her place on the couch in the common room as soon as I stepped off the stairs.
“Yeah, and you were right, I did have to go to the hospital again.”
She grinned as she pulled me into a hug. “I hate that I’m right, but I do so love telling peopleI told you so.”
I laughed as she threw her arm around my waist and guided me toward my room.
“You need rest. I stashed some snacks in your room. Ben let me use his key,” she added.
“Thanks,” I said.
We paused outside of my door and she dropped her hand from me. “I’ll meet you here tomorrow morning for a non-oatmeal breakfast?”
“Sounds great,” I said. Then I slid my key card into the slot on my door. “See you then.”
Thankfully, my room was empty. I had half expected to find Ben waiting for me. The only thing that was waiting for me was a pile of snacks on my desk as Makayla had promised. I also noticed my clothes and backpack were here too. I’d tucked those in the locker. Makayla must have gone to get them for me.
I dug through the packaged beef jerky, bags of chips, and dried fruit before I found the box of Swiss Cake Rolls. Makayla knew they were my guilty pleasure.
Tearing open the box, I grabbed a cellophane wrapped package of cakes and carried them over to my bed.
When I woke, I was laying on the unopened melted mess of cake rolls and my lights were still on. I picked up the package by a corner and tossed them in the trash can. Well, that was a first. I’d never wasted junk food before.
Glancing at the clock, I checked the time.Five in the morning.I was never up this early. I considered turning off the lights and crawling back in bed but I was feeling a little restless.
I wondered if Luka or Ben were awake yet. Probably not. It was hours before classes started. Was anyone up yet?
After a quick shower, I left my room and headed into the main school building. It was chilly without all the extra bodies around. I walked past the office. The lights were off and the doors closed. It was a little spooky to see.
I took a turn and wandered past the library. Surprisingly, there were a few students in there. Probably pulled an all nighter. I hoped whatever they were cramming for wasn’t something I missed while I was in the hospital yesterday.
Letting my feet lead, I continued walking around the school without a destination in mind. I came to a stop in front of the spell casting room. I’d missed the first day of my independent study yesterday. I was sure Professor Halifax was pissed about that. She’d probably tell me that a concussion wasn’t a good excuse.
Something crashed to the floor beyond the door and my brow furrowed at the sound. Was Professor Halifax already in there setting up for the day?
Opening the door a crack, I peeked inside. A single emergency light in the back cast an eerie glow over the darkened space. Something rolled across the floor and I opened the door wider to see several candles still moving. They hit the desk in the center of the room and stopped.
Another crash came from the back of the room and I could see a flickering light under the crack of the back storeroom door. Professor Halifax was probably in there getting supplies for today’s lesson.
“Hello?” I opened the door a little wider and stepped into the room.