'But until then,' Leon continues, his tone growing more serious, 'you will heal at a normal human rate,' he says, a reminder that tempers my enthusiasm.
'Yeah, I know,' I groan at the thought of enduring the healing process the old-fashioned way. 'Can you please have the cook bring my dinner to my room?' I request, hoping to avoid the communal dinner for tonight.
'Of course,' Leon nods in agreement, and with his help, we make it to my room.
Sitting on my bed, I wince as I rub my side. Leon insists on inspecting the damage, his face contorting and cringes when he sees the massive bruise taking up my entire side and part of my back. 'I'll have a cold pack brought up as well,' he asserts with a frown. Forty minutes drag by, each tick of the clock amplifying the solitude in my room. A hesitant knock finally disrupts the silence. 'Come in,' I call out, curiosity edging my voice.
To my surprise, Nina steps into the room, holding a plate of food. She catches my puzzled expression and stumbles over her words. 'I, um, wanted to come to check on you and thought I'd bring your dinner, but if you prefer someone else to—'
'No, please come in,' I interrupt with warmth in my voice.
I take the plate as Nina passes it to me, gratitude flashing in my eyes. 'Thank you,' I smile, and Nina nods, wheeling in a tray table beside my bed.
As I arrange the plate and cutlery, Nina fidgets nervously with her fingers. 'Magnus, I also wanted to say thanks for catching me from the fall,' she says, her eyes searching mine for a response.
I still want to apologise to Nina, but the only word that manages to come out is, ‘Anytime,’ I say to her, instantly wanting to facepalm myself. Nina's frown deepens with disappointment. 'Well, I guess I'll leave you to it then,' she says, retreating towards the door.
I wait, staring at the door, hoping she will turn around and stay, but she doesn’t. My shoulders slump.
I’m such an idiot. ‘Anytime,’ that’s all I could say to her.
I begrudgingly munch my meal down while I mentally scold myself. Tomorrow at school, I tell myself, I'll make things right.
Suddenly, there's another, and my face lights up with a flicker of hope. 'Nina?' I ask eagerly.
'No, it's me, Josie,' she replies, entering and sitting beside me on my bed.
Josie eyes me critically. 'I heard you fell over and hurt yourself, but I didn't believe Leon when he said that. My big brother and future Alpha hurt from a minor fall? No way, so I'm here to ask what really happened,' she declares with scrutenising scepticism.
I sigh in defeat, feeling the weight of guilt settle on my shoulders. 'Josie… You were right about Nina. I've been such a jerk, and I don't even know how to make it up to her,' I confess, my voice heavy with regret.
Josie abruptly stands, her eyes widening with shock. 'O.M.G, Magnus, are you okay? You must have hit your head. It's a concussion. Maybe a fever?' She says, her hand instinctively reaching for my forehead.
I swat her hand away. 'No, Josie, I'm not sick and don't have a concussion. After detention with Nina, we spent some time together. We climbed that big tree, the one we always avoid, and talked. I then realized I had made a mistake cutting her off seven years ago. Nina slipped, and I caught her. Then my branch broke. I purposely took the brunt of the fall so she didn't get hurt.'
Josie blinks rapidly, processing the information. She grabs my shoulders and shakes me. 'You idiot! Tell her you're sorry!' She blurts out.
'I know, Josie. I tried, too, but I struggled to say what I wanted. I will make it up to her at school tomorrow,' I assure Josie.
'Well, I should hope so, Magnus. It's the least you can do,' she says, crossing her arms with a stern expression.
'I know it's the least I can do. I owe it to Nina, but do you think she will even forgive me?' I ask, uncertainty creeping into my voice.
Josie places a hand on my shoulder, giving me a sympathetic look. 'As long as you don't stuff it up with her again, I don't see why not,' she says.
'Thanks, Josie,' I smile.
Josie nods and then holds a finger up with a mischievous grin. 'Oh, Flint and I never mentioned to Mum and Dad that you and Nina had detention either,' she says, pretending to zip her mouth.
'Thanks, I appreciate it,' I reply, my smile widening.
'Well, I hope you'll be healed enough to go to school tomorrow so you can make things right again with Nina,' Josie smiles.
'Me too. See you in the morning, Josie,' I say, watching her leave the room.
Alone, I make a mental list for myself. Okay, so my checklist for tomorrow: beg Nina for forgiveness and restore our friendship. Surely, it will be as easy as it sounds.
I struggle to fall asleep, the day's events replaying in my mind. Tossing and turning, a bad feeling about school tomorrow consumes me, and nervousness and anticipation for the chance to make things right with Nina.
Sitting up, I groggily peer at myself in the mirror. My hair is a tangled mess, a result of the restless night of tossing and turning. Slight bags under my eyes betray the lack of sleep. My back and side feel okay, just a little tender, but nothing that can keep me from going to school. The bruise is still visible, a fading reminder of the tree-climbing escapade with Nina from the day before.
I decide a shower is in order, hoping it will wash away the remnants of the night's unease. I dress in jeans, a tight-fitting black shirt, and lace up my favourite black sneakers. Combing my hair back, it stubbornly falls into its shabby style, giving me a ruggedly handsome look instead of the sleeker look I usually go for. I exit my room, descend the stairs and sit at the breakfast table.
'Magnus, how is your back this morning? Leon said you had quite the nasty bruise,' my mother, Astrid, inquires.
'It's fine. Nothing is broken, just a nasty bruise, but it's not so bad now,' I assure my mother with a half-smile.
'I'm glad to hear,' she replies, her worry transforming to a look of relief.
I notice Nina conversing with her parents at the other end of the table. Eventually, our eyes meet, and we spend the rest of breakfast making eye contact, sharing glances and smiles.
Josie, seated nearby, becomes the observer, her head constantly darting between Nina and me, revelling in the hope of our renewed friendship. Nina blushes, and I realize I can't seem to take my eyes off her, but I respond with a smile.