“Stop being stubborn.” I pull her toward me, and she stumbles into my chest.
“I’m stubborn?” she seethes. “You…you’re maddening!” She throws her hands in the air before pointing her finger at my chest.
“What did I do? I’m trying to help.” I lift my hands.
“Ugh.” She stalks away from me and toward the school.
I follow behind her, needing to make sure she gets that face situation under control. When she walks into the teacher’s bathroom, I stop by the entrance and cross my arms. Lizzy cups water in the hands and washes her face, rubbing to remove the paint.
“My forehead burns,” she complains.
“Can I help you?” I ask softer now.
She looks at me through the mirror and nods, so I grab paper, wet it, and turn her so she’s facing me. Carefully, I wipe the paint off her face, noting the way her rash is red.
“Careful,” she flinches and whispers.
“Sorry.” I continue to wet the paper and clean off the paint with smooth strokes so not to hurt her. Lizzy closes her eyes and breathes deeply.
“Almost done,” I whisper.
“It stings,” she says, squeezing the wrist on the hand that’s holding her chin.
“A little more, and I’ll give you some ointment.”
“How bad is it?” Her voice is full of concern.
“It’ll be okay.”
“You’re a terrible liar,” she challenges.
I finish and step back, nodding to the mirror. When she sees her face, her eyes widen and a gasp echoes in the small space.
“Oh, my goodness. This isbad.“ She turns her glaring gaze to me.
“I’ll grab the ointment.” I head to my desk and grab my First Aid Kit.
Lizzy is leaning close to the mirror, fingers gently brushing her skin when I return. Her face is fire red and bumps cover her forehead and temples. I notice the way her fist clenches, and I assume it’s an attempt to stop herself from scratching it.
“Here.” I hand her the ointment.
“Thanks.”
She puts it on, covering every inch that’s bumpy with the rash.
“This is so embarrassing. How am I going to go back out there like this? The sun probably won’t help.”
“You can say my dragon burned you,” I joke, and she actually laughs.
“That sounds…dirty.” She shakes her head, looking in the mirror.
I clear my throat because the idea of my other dragon doing things to her, I can guarantee it wouldn’t burn. It’d be pure pleasure.
“Right, well, I hope the cream helps.” I shift on my feet.
“I should go home.” She looks at me with round eyes. “It’s bad, right?”
I can’t lie to her. Not when I already made it seem like I don’t feel anything for her.