CHAPTER 1 (5th part)

''It's me, George. May I come in?'' the hoarse voice of his 45-year old driver now sounded strangely angelic in Daniel's ears. It had released him from a knot of worries. His breathing became even at once and his stomach stopped churning.


''Yes, George.''


This man was too tall he had to bend his head for an inch or so when he went inside through the white door. He had eyes which were color gray and narrow. And his hair was... still so black and so long which George was so smug about. He started speaking as soon as his right foot touched the floor of the room. ''You look so pale. I'm so sorry I didn't know what happened. I just waited inside the car thinking so stupidly that you just had some business to deal with. When you still didn't show up after an hour, I got worried and got out of the car and that's when the school nurse spotted me and told me what happened. It's really a good thing that the two of us know each other. I am really sorry, Daniel. It's all my fault. I mean, I am your guardian whenever you are inside the car and whenever I am at the school parking lot. I am a failure.'' George's face was now contorted due to worry and fear that he was not doing a good job. He had a tendency of being too sorry.


Daniel sighed.


''No. I am fine. Really. There's no need to get all anxious and everything. I just skipped lunch and Nurse Jane went to the canteen to buy me something.''


''Are you sure? I mean, no broken bone or something?'' Daniel smiled. He appreciated his driver's attitude. He was always closer to other adults than his parents. A sad truth. He answered while repressing chuckles, ''I did not fall from a tree of something and the one at fault was clearly me. Who skipped lunch?''


''Y - You.''


''See?''


Daniel managed to convince George somehow that he was not the one to blame. So he just satisfied himself for the next few minutes by asking the questions like ''Are you hurting somewhere?'' or ''Do you need to go to the hospital?'' again and again.


He was able to forget what happened to him a while ago through his driver's presence. And the distraction became more successful when Sam called him on his phone.


''Hey, Sam.''


''Just want to remind you about the celebration at Aunt Susan's. Surely you did not forget, right? I'll pick you up at 7.''


Daniel meant to say that he was at the infirmary and was unsure whether he could go but one thing had him curious. Since when did Sam pick him up or even consider the idea of picking him up? Did the sun rise in the west? ''What do you mean picking me up? I know the way and I thought you do you not let adults drive you.'' he said putting an emphasis to the word adult. Sam was very careful not to leave an impression to people that he was being babysat.


''Ha! As if I would let Old James drive me,'' he said referring to his father's all around assistant. ''What I am saying is... umm...,'' then he chuckled.


''Hey! Hey! Hey! You mean... No. No way!'' He knew what Sam had wanted ever since they were ten. He put the puzzle pieces together and realization hit him straight in the face. Last week Sam was blabbing nonstop about how to...


''Yes! I got the car keys from Dad.''


''He let you? Or did you you really do what you were telling me you would last week?''


''Yup! I stole the car keys. And Dad's away tonight. Only me and James and some maids, who are so busy in a soap opera, are home. James is also watching the stupid TV! Could you believe that?''


Daniel was easily distracted through this news.


''James? Watching soap opera? That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. With him putting that strict mask every time he sees the two of us.''


''Yup! So weird. But let's just thank Anabelle and Rico's stupid and plotless drama. The precious car was in the garage waiting for my hand to put the keys in the ignition.'' Sam's laughter now sounded so evil to Daniel's ears. ''I'm sorry I won't let you disagree with my plan. I'm hanging up. Seven!''


And before Daniel could speak another word, he heard the busy line. He felt George staring at him.


''You would go? In your condition? Can you?'' George asked.


''My attention was completely diverted with the unimportant details and forgot to tell him about passing out. Well, I guess I have no choice. Can't disappoint Sam especially when he's acting so excited like that.''


''And I really hope that the two of you aren't doing something reckless tonight. I know the word privacy so well so I won't ask what the two of you are planning. Just warning you,'' George said in a fatherly way.


He did not know how to respond to this. Three knocks saved him from lying. It was Nurse Jane carrying a tray of heavy and balanced food that was obviously to make up for his missed lunch.


''You have to eat these all, Daniel. Hi, George,'' she said.


He did not have the appetite but he still forced himself to chew and to swallow without throwing up. While he was facing a challenge, Nurse Jane and George were talking animatedly about... Anabelle and Rico. Ugh! Even these two are so into that drama. The TV was on and they were too absorbed in the show and in exchanging comments. After a solid hour and a half, Daniel had finished the food --- through great effort and will --- and the drama was nearing its end.


After another five minutes, Daniel heard Rico's mother pulling Anabelle's hair down the stairs. And the theme song was aired. Daniel used this chance talk to Nurse Jane.


''Who brought me here?''


''A girl from the tenth grade asked help from some really brawny guys, I think your classmates, to bring you here.'' He could see that Nurse Jane was fond of the girl through the look in her eyes as she talked about her. It was like bragging about how your daughter won the international quiz bee.


''What's her name?''


''The new student.She's in the same grade as you are. She's very kind to help you. She said she was just passing by when she saw you collapsed. There weren't many people around. Fortunately, she saw some guys and asked them to carry you all the way here from the parking lot. Her name is Themis... Themis Montgomery.''


''I am not familiar with that name. What does she look like?''


The nurse pursed her lips as if choosing the right words. ''The girl with long black hair and glasses.'' Although that was a lame description, Daniel knew who the girl was but afraid to believe his intuition.