Bring me books!

Helen nodded upon hearing this and stood up.

"I'll come whenever I get free time, but I'm pretty sure the ward will be completely full the whole day. We'll talk after dinner." Helen said, feeling around for her stick and finding it.

"Bring me some books from the library." Aria called out as Helen walked towards the door. She chuckled and waved her hand before walking out.

"I haven't yet given you permission to read." Miss Anhao spoke, with what she obviously assumed a stern expression, but only looked very adorable to Aria. "You know you can never say no to me." Aria said, feeling playful and turning the full power of her smile and beauty at Miss Anhao, who had to close her eyes to shield herself against the impact.

Miss Anhao shook her head with a sigh and Aria knew the permission was as good as even. "Now come on, let's get something in your belly before my duty to make sure all your visitors are speck and span begins." she said and Aria chuckled.

Aria burped as she finished her breakfast. Miss Anhao chuckled as she picked up the tray. "I'm putting a jug of water here. If it hurts to move your body, call out for me. Don't you dare bend!!" she shook a threatening finger in Aria's direction before walking away. Aria laughed and slumped deeper into the comfortable bed.

It was weird how much Miss Anhao knew her. She was always right to threaten Aria against the very actions she would have undertaken, and could almost always tell what she was thinking. "Maybe it's because I've been spending way too much time here. I need to stop getting injured." Aria thought to herself as she stared out of the window.

She looked at the tree that was just outside. She liked this tree. He was an accomplice, almost a partner in crime. Aria always snuck out of the ward whenever Miss Anhao wouldn't discharge her and she was feeling suffocated. And this tree had always been her haven at times like those. Aria sometimes liked to come to that tree even when she was perfectly fine, just to get away from all the people.

Aria turned her head as she heard the recovery ward door open. She sighed upon seeing that her first visitor of the day was already there. Aria wasn't surprised to see it was Professor Thomas, she had actually been surprised that he hadn't showed up yesterday itself.

Aria fixed her face into a small smile as Professor Thomas approached her. "How are you child?" he asked, his lips curved into a worried smile and his hand gently stroking Aria's brow. Aria smiled as she leaned into Professor Thomas's hand, it felt good.

"Good enough." she answered. "That's good. That's really good." he said, occupying the chair Helen had just vacated. "With your actions, you're lucky to even be alive." his face turned serious as he said this.

Aria hung her head. "I know." she said. "But I could never abandon Helen that way."

Professor Thomas shook his head, "I know child." he said, the smile returning on his face. "And I'm not asking you to.