Chapter 7 FAKE SICKNESS
SCHOOL CLINIC
Liana pushed open the door of the school clinic, slowing her steps as she slipped inside.
The faint smell of disinfectant hit her nose, and for a moment she pressed a palm to her stomach, pretending to be in mild discomfort. She wasn’t actually sick, far from it. She just needed an excuse.
An excuse to see him.
A nurse in a pale blue uniform looked up from the reception desk. "Hello dear, are you feeling unwell?"
Liana nodded weakly, even adding a small wince for effect. "A little… I think I need to see the intern doctor"
The nurse blinked. "You mean Doctor Victor?"
"I don’t know his name," Liana said softly, trying not to sound too eager. "But I guess that’s him. I only trust him to treat me"
The nurse’s brows lifted slightly, surprised, suspicious, or amused, Liana couldn’t tell, but she didn’t question it. Instead, she gestured toward the hallway.
"All right. I’ll let him know you’re here"
Liana exhaled, her heart fluttering as she followed the nurse’s direction.
She followed the nurse down the quiet hallway, trying to look weak and unsteady, though her stomach fluttered with excitement. The nurse stopped outside a door and nodded. "You may see him now"
Liana stepped inside. The room was bright, sterile, and smelled faintly of antiseptic. The young doctor looked up from his desk, eyes immediately locking on her.
"Liana, right?" he asked, a hint of recognition in his voice.
She blinked, caught off guard. "Yes… that’s me" she murmured, nodding slightly.
"You’re the one who brought Anya here last night," he said with a small smile. "How’s her ankle doing?"
Liana’s lips curved into a soft grin. "She’s better, thanks… you really helped her"
He nodded, his eyes warm as if recalling the memory. "Good. I’m glad she’s okay"
Liana’s heart skipped. She could still remember last night vividly... the way he crouched to examine Anya, the gentle care in his hands, the way her own gaze had betrayed her, staring at him like she’d never seen anyone before. She shivered at the memory.
"I… um, I’m terribly sick," she said suddenly, forcing a weak tone. "Please… I need you to treat me"
He rose from his chair smoothly and stepped closer. "All right. Let’s diagnose you"
He moved into business mode, examining her carefully, but Liana couldn’t focus. She kept staring at him, caught again in that magnetic pull. He noticed and lifted his head slightly, his hazel eyes meeting hers.
Liana gasped softly and looked away instantly, cheeks flaming.
"You seem perfectly fine, miss" he said.
Liana’s lips trembled. "I… I—" She stumbled over her words, her facade cracking completely. Panic surged. Without thinking, she bolted from his office, the door swinging shut behind her, leaving the doctor staring after her with a small, bemused smile.
Her mind was racing, cheeks still warm from the accidental flush when the doctor’s eyes had met hers.
She rounded the corner too quickly and almost collided with someone.
"Oh! Sorry!" Liana exclaimed, waving a hand in front of the girl’s face.
A soft, calm voice replied, "It’s fine"
Liana’s eyes widened as she looked up. Of course, it was her roommate. The quiet, shadowy presence of the room she had entered for the first time hours ago: Raina.
Raina’s dark eyes met hers with a calm, almost unreadable stare. Her black hoodie swallowed most of her frame, her fingers curling around the strap of her backpack as she stood frozen in the hallway.
"Hi!" Liana said brightly, forcing her usual sunshine tone. "Fancy seeing you here!" She gave a little wave, her bracelets jingling.
Raina blinked slowly, nodding. "Hi".
Liana grinned, deciding to take it in stride. "I was just… um, visiting the clinic," she said, leaning casually against the wall, though her foot tapped rapidly against the floor. "Nothing serious, though. Just a tiny check-up"
Raina’s lips curved into the faintest hint of a smile, barely noticeable. "Uh-huh," Raina said softly. "Glad you’re okay"
Liana’s smile widened. "Thanks! You know me—always dramatic. Anyway…" She waved her hand vaguely. "I should probably get back before anyone notices I’m missing. See you later, roomie!"
And with that, Liana turned and practically skipped down the hallway, leaving Raina standing there, still quiet, her gaze following her roommate’s retreating figure.