Page 94 of I Don't Need Your Protection

Her eyes flutter open into slits. “Huh?” she whispers. Her eyes shut again.

When I repeat that she needs to go to the infirmary, her eyes open fully. “I’m not going there.” Her voice is very weak and sleepy.

“But you might be really sick.”

She shrugs and turns onto her side.

Releasing a breath, I plow my fingers through my hair. Normally, I love her stubbornness, but not right now.

Bending forward, I whisper, “How about we get the nurse to come here? Would you be okay with that?”

“Mhmm.”

“Is thata yes?”

“I guess.”

Considering I shouldn’t be in her room when she’s sleeping like this or we’ll both get in trouble, I need a girl to call for the nurse. A girl who’s Addie’s friend and is someone I can trust.

My thoughts immediately go to her friends. They’ve gotten very close to Addie and she trusts them. Heck, she even told them her secret earlier today. I was a little hesitant when I heard the news, but I also trust those girls. Even though I don’t know them, I’ve been observing them and I know how much they care about Addie. It’s not surprising she felt like she could confide in them. Like I told her earlier today, they’re like sisters.

I reach for Addie’s phone and text Carly to come to her room. She seems the closest to Addie.

As I wait for her to arrive, I place my hand on Addie’s forehead. She’s still pretty hot.

There’s a knock on the door.

“Yes?” I call.

“It’s Carly.”

I open the door a tiny bit for her to slip in because I don’t want anyone to see me in here. Carly’s eyes scan me from my head to my toes, and her jaw falls open.

“Um, hi,” she says. Her eyes skip over to Addie and they widen. “She’s still in bed?”

Nodding, I motion for her to follow me as I walk to Addie’s side. “Her face is pretty hot and I suspect she has a fever. She refuses to go to the infirmary, so you need to call the nurse. I can’t do it because I can’t be seen.”

Carly’s eyebrows furrow as she takes in my words. She reaches for Addie’s hand and clasps it in hers. “She really ishot.”

I nod. “This is most likely because Clarissa and the others abandoned her in the cold and rain last night. You need to call the nurse immediately. I’m not sure if she visits students’ rooms, but I don’t know what else to do.”

“No, she does. I mean, she’d rather the students come to the infirmary, but of course she’ll come to the rooms if they need her. I’ll call her.”

I nod again. “You need to remain here while I hide in the closet. As far as we’re all concerned, I’m not here. Do you understand?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay, thank you. Sorry for ordering you around, but Addie’s safety and health are my top priority.”

“No, I totally get it. And I care about her health and safety, too.”

“All right. Wait until I’m hidden in the closet before you call the nurse.” I slide into the closet and shut the door behind me. “Please call the nurse now.”

She does and explains to the nurse that she thinks Addie is sick. After she ends the call, she informs me that she’ll be here as soon as she can.

There’s a small opening between the door and the wall and I have a view of Addie and Carly. Carly is still holding her hand, and I’m sure she’s wearing a concerned look on her face.

I know this isn’t the right time to be mad at Clarissa for causing this, but can anyone blame me? Addie and I thought it’s best that she not report what happened at the sleepover, butthat doesn’t mean I won’t mutter more curses under my breath.