17. Friend?

NOAH

“You don’t have to take me. You can put me down here, I will go to the infirmary myself.” Astrid said but I didn’t listen to her.

I was carrying her on my back to the infirmary.

“You don’t have to force yourself to be okay. It’s not like you are speaking to me anyway.” She lamented and she wasn’t wrong.

I was avoiding her. Why? Because I’m not used to having to care about someone and somehow since I’ve been here for the past two weeks, I’ve been overly involved in someone else's life and it wasn’t because I was trying to work but because I had to.

She’s my mate. She doesn’t know that and I’ve decided not to tell her that.

My wolf Xan scolded me for trying to keep my distance but I couldn’t help it. I had to keep my distance not because of her but because of me.

I could barely sleep without seeing her face every time I closed my eyes. Last night was great. I laughed and enjoyed the time we spent in the city and it was later that I realized that I came for a mission and I cannot afford to like someone.

I had to finish my mission as soon as possible and leave or it might become hard for me later on seeing how I cannot help but get involved with her every time.

“I’m not pregnant.” She randomly said it, making me wonder why she suddenly said that.

“If that’s why you don’t want to associate yourself with me. I’m not pregnant.”

“That’s weird,” I uttered.

“What do you mean by weird? What’s weird?”

“Why would you think that?”

“You won’t speak to me and I don’t recall doing anything to offend you. That’s the only reason you might not want to associate with me.”

I tittered.

“What’s funny?”

“You think that someone would stop associating with you because you are pregnant. I don’t care if you are pregnant or not and anyone who doesn’t want to be your friend because of that was never your friend.”

“So why did you ignore me this morning and some hours ago?” She asked.

“Do I have to speak to you?” I questioned back

“You are right.” She cleared her throat, her voice laced with a hint of hurt. “You don’t have to. We were never friends.”

“True. We were never friends. I don’t have to speak to you because you speak to me.”

My wolf scolded me when I said that but I had to. I didn’t want to speak to her but seeing her hurt and unable to walk made me do it. I cannot see her in pain without having to get involved.

She was slowly finding her place in my life and I couldn’t afford for that to happen so I had to do what it is that I have to do to keep her at arm's length.

“You are right.” She sounded hurt and I felt a pinch of hurt in my chest when I said that.

She said nothing to me until we got to the infirmary where I told the nurse about her ankle.

“You can leave,” Astrid said to me, avoiding eye contact.

I acted like I was going to leave until I stood by the door with my arms folded across my chest while waiting for the nurse to give me a report.

“Does it hurt like this?” The nurse asked as she gently twisted Astrid's ankle.

Astride let out a small yelp. “Yes. It hurts.”

I watched Astrid as the nurse attended to her ankle. She would let out a small yelp each time the nurse attempted to touch her.

“You will be fine in a few weeks. You just have to make sure not to exert pressure on the leg,” the nurse said to Astrid.

“Also, apply this ointment on it and you can come for another check up in two she time, is that clear?”

“Yes. Thank you.” Astrid said to the nurse.

I tried holding her and assisting her as she stood up but she refused my help.

“Thank you,” I said to the nurse before going after Astrid who was struggling to walk.

“You might as well take my help so you don’t worsen the pain. If you want to heal then you have to take my help,” I said to her.

She scoffed, “And why should I? Why do you want to help me? Last I checked we weren’t friends so what are you still doing here?”

I knew that she was hurting because of those words and it affected me knowing that she was feeling that way.

“You don’t have to help me, okay. I can manage. I’ve been managing before you came.”

“Alright. But do you have to be my friend before I help you?” I asked.

“Then why are you helping me? Make it make sense. From my experience, I know people don’t help unless they want something in return,” she replied

I shook my head. “You just have to stop being stubborn, okay. I just want to help you so make it easy for me to help you by helping yourself.”

“And I said I don’t want your help. Just leave me or maybe you can bully me just like the rest.”

I took a step closer to her and she put her hand in front, telling me not to go close.

“I said don’t come close. Leave me alone!” She was hurt, it was evident from the way she spoke and the tears that formed in her eyes.

“Did you consider me your friend?” I asked.

“What do you mean?” She asked frantically.

“Answer the question. Am I your friend?” My voice was calm.

“I… oh… well… No,” she stuttered.

Her words sting a little but I didn’t believe her because she stuttered and it was evident she did and that’s why she was affected that I didn’t consider her my friend.

“You see. You don’t consider me yourself and I don’t. It’s mutual so stop being a pain in the ass and let me help you.”

With that said, I scooped her in my arms and carried her away.