Chapter 16 : Mrs. School Doctor (1)

"Are you okay? You should rest more."

I shook my head as I put on my shoes. In front of me, a young woman wearing a white lab coat looked at me worriedly. "You caught a fever, and it's pretty bad too. You should call your family to pick you up. You are in no condition to go home alone."

"I don't have one."

"What?"

"I don't have a family."

"Oh." The school doctor's expression turned awkward. I had never been to the infirmary before, so I didn't know our school had a school doctor this pretty. She must be a new employee since she didn't seem to know me at all.

I didn't mean to brag, but I was very famous in this school. Nobody in this school didn't recognize me. That's why Harry was very hostile to me. He thought I robbed him of his deserved popularity, but please, I rather go unnoticed rather than attracting unnecessary attention.

"How about you ask your friend to accompany you home?"

"I don't have friends either."

The room temperature became colder as the school doctor's expression became more and more uncomfortable. She avoided my gaze, with a what-should-I-do-with-this-kid expression. She tried to recover from the previous awkwardness but stepped on the landmine instead. The sight of her confused and flustered expression was pretty interesting.

I decided to give her some slack by saying. "It's okay. I already drink the medicine and sleep. I feel better already."

The school doctor bit her lips. Her expression told me she was unconvinced. "No. Like it or not, as a doctor I can't let you go home alone."

"Doctor, you should leave me alone. That's the best thing for you." I said. Since this doctor would be ostracized if she was seen having good interaction with me.

Nobody wanted to associate with someone like me. Nobody wanted to associate with a person who was associated with me as well. That's the unwritten rule of this school.

The school doctor grabbed my shoulder gently. She turned my body so we were facing each other. "You are, Eirlys right? I don't know what happens to you, but I do know that you need help right now. You can't go home alone."

Help?

Everybody who didn't know me keeps saying that. Easy for them to say. In this world, people only help those who they think deserved to get that help. And I was not included in that category. For them, just existing like this was unforgivable. For them, I was not even worthy of that help.

I remembered a girl who sat beside me in my first year of high school. She was a cheerful and friendly girl. We got along very well at that time. However, as soon as the rumor about my origin spread out, she moved her desk away from me without a shred of doubt. Even if she saw me being bullied and ostracized, she just stood there watching me.

The pain my body received was nothing compared to the pain in my heart then. I felt hurt and betrayed.

However, I slowly realized that I had no right to feel that way, since that girl had never been on my side in the first place. Since the beginning, she had no idea who I really am, that's why she treated me so well. Now that she knew the truth, it was her right to choose whether she wanted to keep being my friend or not.

I wondered, if she knew everything from the start, would she even spare me a glance? If this doctor in front of me knew about me later, would she look at me with the same cold and scornful eyes as everyone?

I let out a bitter laugh before pulling the doctor's hand away from my shoulder. "I don't need help. I am alone in this."

"Why...would you think you are alone?" The school doctor's voice was so soft I almost couldn't hear it.

Why? Because that's the case. The fact. The reality for me.

However, I just shrugged my shoulders. "Isn't it the same as everyone? They could have many people on their side, but in the end, they'd die alone." I smiled as if trying to humor her. "Just kidding. I prefer to be alone, that's all."

The school doctor was silent for a while, before she said, "I'll take you home. Tell me what class you are in and I'll fetch your bag for you."

"No need. I said I'm..."

"Be quiet. I don't want to hear another word from you, young lady." The school doctor said as she frowned at me. She had a somber expression on her face. "You don't have to act strong, at least not in front of a doctor who knows your body condition better than you. Now shut up and tell me what class you are in."

What? Why was she mad all of a sudden? Everyone wanted to get away from me. If she knew about me, she'd thank me for my initiative.

Nevertheless, even if the school doctor wasn't exactly a teacher, they still had some authority over students. Opposing her was not a wise move. Not to mention, I was arguing with Mrs. Gabrielle earlier. My school record would be tarnished if I made another fuss here.

Hence, I answered her slowly. "Class 2-A, Ma'am."

"Wait here. Don't wander around. I'll be back," she said, as she took off her white coat and placed it on the desk. Then, he walked out of the infirmary. Her black hair was swaying as she walked.

Once she left, I wobbled and lost my footing. If not for the bed behind me, I'd surely crumbled down to the floor. I held my head as I endured the throbbing in my head. With caution, I caressed the back of my head and found a bump hidden behind my hair. It must be swollen due to the impact of the book thrown at me earlier.

Day by day, my injuries keep increasing. Now I caught a fever, I couldn't work for some time. What time is it? I need to inform my manager immediately or he'd scold me later. I also need to think of a good apology to Mrs. Gabrielle. Whatever happens, I must not get a zero in any class, or I'll have to say goodbye to my scholarship.

The headache was increasing the more I thought about it. I didn't know how much longer I could endure this.

Few minutes passed, and Mrs. School Doctor finally came back with my bag in her hand. Her expression was weird, though. She appeared aggrieved and upset for some reason.

She carried my bag in her hand, as she snatched a car key on top of her desk. Then, she asked me gently. "Can you walk? Do you want to lean on me?"

I shook my head. "No. I can walk by myself."

"Alright. Just hold on to me if you feel weak, okay?"

Her tone was full of consideration. She motioned me to follow her, so I walked slowly behind her. I steadied myself with the help of the wall, mustering my strength. I hate to admit it but Mrs. School Doctor was right. I was in no condition to move alone. With how heavy my body was, and how the dull pain in my head made my vision swayed, I wasn't sure I could make it home without passing out.

Mrs. School Doctor helped me when we walked down the stairs, or when my body was staggering. I started to feel embarrassed for lashing out at her earlier. It's not even her fault, and she was just trying to be nice, regardless if she knew about my origin or not.