Chapter 4: Accept
"I’m fine, really," I said, trying to sound more convincing this time. "Just still processing the whole ’almost died’ thing, you know?"
Nina didn’t look convinced. She kept staring at me with those worried eyes, like she was expecting me to pass out again any second.
’She’s really taking this guilt thing seriously,’ I thought. ’I should probably try to lighten the mood or something.’
"Besides," I added with what I hoped was a reassuring grin, "if I was gonna die, I would’ve done it already. I’m too stubborn to give up now."
That got a tiny smile out of her, which was progress.
"Don’t joke about that," she said, but her voice was less panicked than before. "You really scared me."
I wanted to keep the conversation going, partly because she seemed to need the distraction, and partly because that system window was still floating there waiting for an answer. Five thousand dollars was hard to ignore.
"So how’s school been?" I asked. "I’m guessing I missed something important, knowing my luck."
Her expression shifted, and she looked embarrassed. "Actually, about that... we have a test tomorrow. Chemistry."
"Of course we do," I said, letting my head fall back against the pillow. "Because almost dying wasn’t bad enough. Now I get to fail a test too."
"No, no," she said quickly, leaning forward in her chair. "I already talked to Mr. Imms about it. He’s going to come here after school tomorrow to give you the test. He said as long as you’re feeling up to it, you can take it in the hospital."