I wasn't really present yet, and I didn't feel like talking.
I looked to my left and to my right.
Next to the bed stood a glass of water, which I took and drank slowly. The sound of placing it back down was enough for the two of them to notice and come into the room.
The nurse asked how I was feeling. I just looked at her.
I didn't know if I should say something, if I even wanted to.
I noticed that someone had cleaned me up a bit, and I was thankful for that, but I preferred to stay silent.
She seemed to understand, and Mr. Yoshikage tried to cheer me up with a gentle smile and spoke softly:
> > "It's all right now, you're safe. The nurse wants to help you, and so do I. Your teacher already knows is there someone we can call? The lady tried to reach someone, but no one picked up."<<
I looked at my phone and opened the chat with Evelyn, who had already tried calling me several times and, according to her last message, was already on her way to me.
Mr. Yoshikage just nodded briefly, and the nurse smiled in relief clearly happy that I had someone who cared about my health and well-being.
I texted Evelyn to hurry, that I wanted to leave this place.
The nurse refilled my glass of water, and Mr. Yoshikage kept saying comforting words, but I didn't hear them anymore. I just wanted Evelyn to be here already.
The nurse excused herself and said she had to take care of another student since Mr. Yoshikage was with me.
He tried to talk to me until Evelyn arrived, saying he would keep an eye on me and even made me tea in the meantime.
It didn't take long for Evelyn to arrive she practically ran through the school until she reached the nurse's office and saw me there with Yoshikage.
Her eyes narrowed as if she were glaring at him.
Mr. Yoshikage, on the other hand, smiled softly, almost charmingly, and then stood up:
> > "You must be Evelyn. Rin has already told me about you. I'm glad you could come so quickly."<<
Evelyn nodded and came straight to me, wrapping her arms around me the moment she saw my distressed expression.
I didn't want her to touch me and gently pushed her away.
She looked at me with worry in her eyes and asked, her voice trembling:
> > "Rin… what happened? Should we talk about it at home?"<<
I nodded, and she offered me her hand but I only held onto her sleeve instead.
Mr. Yoshikage smiled faintly, patted my head gently, and spoke softly:
"Take care, Rin. I hope you recover well and soon. You know where to find me if you need me."<<
I only nodded and left with Evelyn, who didn't give him another glance.
When we reached the car, Evelyn opened the passenger door for me and closed it gently once I was seated.
She got in on the driver's side shortly after, placed her hand on my shoulder, and stroked my hair softly.
> > "Rin… what happened, my little one? Please, do me a favor stay away from that man."<<
I looked at Evelyn and replied breathlessly:
"Why, Evelyn…? He didn't do anything wrong… He was there for me… when you weren't."<<
I saw on her face that my words hit a nerve that they hurt her.
I fell silent, just like she did.
She withdrew her hand, said nothing more, and drove us home.
We didn't exchange a single word during the ride; she didn't even look my way, though I glanced at her often and at my hands in my lap.
When we got home, she silently got out, opened my door, and closed it again after me.
Then she locked the car and opened the door to the house.
She stayed quiet, preparing the bathroom for me and letting me know briefly when it was ready.
While I showered, I heard her walking through the hallway from time to time, and the smell of food filled the air.
Even though I was showering, I still felt dirty not as clean as I'd hoped I would feel.
Evelyn's footsteps faded, and I turned off the water.
After drying off, I slipped into my clothes and saw Evelyn sitting at the dining table, looking at me.
> > "I made food and prepared your bed. If you're hungry, you can eat.
Would you like to tell me what happened while I was gone? I'm worried you seem… very different from usual,"<< she said.
I looked at her, then at the food. I wasn't hungry.
Then I looked back at her and slowly started to tell her everything.
As I spoke, tears began to fall again I didn't want to think about it, but I couldn't stop.
Evelyn was horrified her face went pale as if her whole world had fallen apart.
She grabbed her head, unable to believe what she was hearing.
She buried her face in her hands, took a deep breath, and tried visibly to compose herself.
I sat down beside her, trying to comfort her.
In her eyes, I could see grief and heartbreak.
So I placed a hand on her back, trying to comfort her.
Her voice trembled, and tears ran down her cheeks:
> > "I'm so sorry, Rin… I wanted to protect you. I promised I would protect you… and I failed. I messed everything up… I hurt you, I broke your trust, and I broke my promise. I'm so, so sorry..."<<
Seeing her like that was strange the woman who was always so strong, who always knew what to do, was now broken.
I had never seen Evelyn like this, and it hurt me deeply.
Maybe it was my fault if I hadn't been so weak, we wouldn't be here right now.
None of this would have happened.
It's my fault… if I hadn't existed, she wouldn't have all these problems.
Evelyn tried to pull herself together and led me to the bedroom.
She avoided eye contact and tucked me into bed.
> > "Are you hungry? Or not really? I can bring you something if you want,"<< she asked, trying not to sound hurt.
I shook my head and lay down.
"Please stay… until I fall asleep, Evelyn. I'm scared."<<
Evelyn looked at me gently and nodded.
She brought a chair next to the bed and sat down beside me.
I reached out my hand to her, and she took it, holding it until I fell asleep.
I felt safe with her.
She couldn't be there before it was unfair of me to say that, and I'm sorry.
I'll apologize tomorrow.
I have to apologize tomorrow.