CHAPTER THIRTEEN: GRACE FELL SICK

GRACE

I looked behind me to see if there was someone else she was talking to.

“You, Grace,” she said, blocking my way.

“What do you want?” I asked, frowning.

Her friends entered the restroom and locked the door.

I looked at the three of them and was getting really annoyed.

“Get out of my way,” I said, pissed.

“You only have a chance with him because I dumped him,” Emily pushed me backwards.

My expression hardened with anger.

“What the hell do you want? If you want Hayden, you can go have him. Although I doubt he will accept you,” I said.

“Also, you are just a fling,” I ended, pushing her out of my way.

Her other friends blocked my way.

“What is wrong with you?” I was genuinely curious. If it wasn’t for Hayden, I doubt we would have any relation with each other.

My stomach sank as I saw them blocking my way. It was three against one, and I doubted I was going to win.

“Let me go!” I yelled.

Emily laughed, reveling in my struggle.

I stopped struggling. I didn’t want her to think I was afraid.

She stepped closer.

“You aren’t all that pretty. I don’t know what he sees in you,” Emily whispered, grabbing my chin.

Pah!

She slapped me so hard, my face turned to the right.

I forcefully pulled my hands out and slapped her hard.

“Who do you think you are?” she gasped, holding her face.

We began fighting, dragging each other’s hair. I made sure I hit her properly.

The three of them held my hands, restricting my movement.

“Stop this!” I yelled, but their grip was tight.

“Bring her here,” Emily said, snorting.

I could only watch helplessly as I was dragged to the wash sink.

Emily blocked the waterway and turned on the water. She filled it to the brim.

“Push her head into it.”

I began struggling crazily, but my head was grabbed and shoved into the water.

The first shock from the cold water hit me. The cold water splashed everywhere as I struggled to pull back.

I coughed and coughed, choking on the water. I finally pushed myself away from the water and grabbed Emily’s hair, refusing to let go.

By the time the toilet door was opened and Hayden separated us, my clothes were torn. I had scratches on my arm and face.

“What the hell is going on?” Hayden yelled. “Grace, are you okay?” He asked, covering my shivering body with his jacket.

I knew I looked like a drowned rat, but at the moment, that was the least of my troubles.

My eyes got red as soon as I saw him and I hugged him tight.

“I’m sorry baby,” he apologized, holding me closer to him. The warmth from his body was enough to warm me.

“Hayden!” Emily cried out, tears rolling down her pretty face.

“Don’t you ever come close to Grace again,” Hayden warned Emily sternly.

He lifted me and carried me away from them.

“I hate her,” I heard Emily say to her friend with split lips and bruises all over her face and body.

Hayden took me to his car and tried to help me into the seat.

“Drop me, I can do it on my own,” I said to him, refusing to look like a damsel in distress.

“Don’t be stubborn,” he said.

He refused to listen to me and gently placed me on his seat.

“Ahh…” I gasped from the pain I was feeling.

“What happened? Where are you feeling pain?” Hayden asked, looking all over my body for signs of distress.

“Don’t worry….I’m fine…..” That was the last thing I said before blacking out.

HAYDEN

My heart shattered when Grace fainted. I’ve never felt such helplessness. I began blaming myself for not noticing the cut on the back of her head.

“Is she going to be okay?” Madison asked as she rushed into the room.

I nodded. I couldn’t speak. I was still in shock. I still remembered how cold she felt in my hands, lying still and not moving.

She stood close to her, holding her friend’s hands.

Grace was in a deep sleep. The rising and falling of her chest told me that everything was fine.

“I won’t spare Emily,” Madison swore with tears in her eyes.

My eyes darkened. I was reminded that Emily was the reason for Grace lying in the hospital bed.

The doctor walked into the room, and I stood up to hear what she would say.

“The patient is fine. She fainted from exhaustion, dehydration and low blood sugar.”

I exhaled a breath I didn’t know I was holding.

“Thank you Doctor,” I said to the woman and walked her to the door.

An hour later, Grace woke up. It was already late into the night.

“Grace!” I called out, helping her sit upright.

“Hayden,” she whispered, holding the back of her head.

“I’m here,” I said.

I rushed to pour some warm water into a glass and fed it to her. I knew her throat would be dry.

“What happened?” she asked, looking around the hospital room.

“You fainted after a fight with Emily,” Madison recapped.

“Mads,” Grace called out in surprise. “Why is my head wrapped?” She touched the bandage on her head, looking anxious.

“No need to be alarmed. You have a head injury but you are fine. Lover boy brought you to the hospital in time,” Madison spoke.

Grace looked at me, and I wondered if she saw the worry in my eyes because her gaze softened.

“Thank you Hayden,” she said.

“What the hell is the time? I missed my shift,” Grace murmured.

“Shift?” I looked between the two friends.

“Don’t worry, I called your boss. So you have a day off.”

Grace felt visibly relieved at her words.

“You work?” I asked, shocked.

“Yes. How do you think I’m able to pay for school?” Grace stated, rolling her eyes.

“What about your stepfather?”

“That’s his money, not mine,” she responded, lying back on the bed.

“Why don’t I speak to him for you or I could pay?” I offered quietly.

Grace looked offended at my words and stared at me with disgust.

“Didn’t it occur to you that he may have offered and I refused?”

I knew Grace was strong-willed, but I didn’t think it was this much.

“Okay, I’m sorry,” I apologized. She had just woken up and I didn’t want her to be stressed.

“You look beautiful,” I complimented her with a smile after a few minutes of silence. 

Grace rolled her eyes at me, embarrassment clear on her face.

I moved my face closer to hers like  I was about to kiss her. I stopped when my lips were few inches from her face.

"What are you doing?" Grace muttered, her eyes dialating.

I dropped a kiss on her forehead. I couldn't resist teasing her.

Madison laughed, enjoying her friend’s discomfort.

“Yo!” Ryan entered the room. “I heard your girlfriend was beaten.”

We all turned to him and watched him saunter into the room.

“Sorry,” I apologized for how loud my friend was being.

“Madison, this is my friend Ryan,” I introduced.

Madison frowned at seeing Ryan and I could tell they weren’t in a good mood. I enjoy making Ryan squirm.

“Best friend,” Ryan corrected.

I smirked. “Ryan, this is Madison, Grace’s friend.”

They shook hands, and Madison let go immediately.

“Have you guys met each other?” Grace asked, looking at her friend.

“No.”

“Yes.”

Grace burst out laughing at their silliness. I was reminded of our parents’ wedding.

Ryan rolled his eyes and blew a kiss towards Madison, who rejected it.

“You are trending on the school blog,” Ryan announced.

I looked at him, bringing out my phone.

“Your ex-boyfriend is currently running mad on it.”