It's serious

"She has a high fever and her lips and fingertips have a slight blue color. I can't say what it is, but it looks serious, she should be in the hospital.“ Alicia explains to you. "I'll drive her, it's not that far.“

As she tries to leave the room you stand in front of her. "I'll take her.“ you say firmly. "I know you think I'm a jerk and I couldn't care less. But you know I care about Melody and wouldn't let anything happen to her.“

Alicia looks at you for a moment and gives in.

"If you help and get Melody dressed, you can even make sure I don't take advantage of her.“ you mock her. You almost expect her to argue with you, but to your surprise she gives in and points at the door. You step outside and close the door. Leaning at the wall you let out a sigh. Hospital sounds dramatic and Alicia's expression was more than concerned. You are lucky under other circumstances she would have given you hell. But for now nothing is more important to you than Melody. To hell with Alicia, you promised to take care of Melody and will keep your word.

A minute or two later the door opens again and Alica hands you a piece of paper.

"I wrote down her symptoms, so you wouldn't forget them.“ she mocked you. Her pride was attacked and she needed to get back at you, if even just a little bit. "You can take my car. Take her to St. Michael's.“

You are totally stunned as Alicia handed you her car keys.

"It's at the far end of.......“ Alicia starts.

"I know where it is.“ you cut her off and recover from the shock. You wonder why she always has to pick on you, the person now in front of you could be a real good friend. With no further words she walks to her room and is gone.

Melody is laying on the bed dressed in her green tracksuit, she is still sound asleep. You grab your jacket and stuff the keys and the note in your pocket and go to Melody's desk. After searching for a minute you find what you're looking for. The phone number of Melody' mom.
Now you walk over to her and pull her to the side of the bed and get her into a sitting position. You wrap the blanket around her and you position your arms under her legs and her back and lift her up. Her head tilts to the side and rests on your chest.

Even though the situation is somewhat less than perfect you can't help yourself but watch her beautiful face for a moment. You tilt your head forward and kiss her forehead. "You'll be fine. I'm here.“ you whisper.

Somehow you manage to close the door with you foot without falling down and you carry Melody to Alicia's car. On the way you started to panic you wouldn't find it, but you spot it in the parking lot in front of the dorm. The blue Chevy isn't luxurious, but will do. Gently you let Melody slip to her feet and steady her with one hand while you take out the keys and open the passenger door. Carefully you manage to get Melody into the seat without banging her head on the doorframe. You fasten her seatbelt and are on the way to the hospital.

Only five minutes later you pulled into the hospital's parking lot, next to the entrance. To your surprise you manage to get Melody out of the seat without any problems and make your way to the front desk.

The nurse in charge is studying the computer screen and doesn't notice you.

"Escuse me, can somebody help me?“ you adress her. She looks up and is quite surprised to see you holding Melody in your arms.The nurse is waving at on of her colleagues to get her attention.

"She has a very high fever and it's getting worse.......“ you start before the nurse interrupts you.

"Hold on, Marge here will take care of her and you can tell me one after the other.“ she tells you when the other nurse steps next to you with a wheelchair. Without further explanation you place Melody in the wheelchait. You kneel in front of her and brush some of her hair out of her face and kiss her gently. The nurse gets behind the wheelchair and pushes Melody through a nearby door. After the door closes again you stand up and step to the front desk. The nurse hands you a clipboard.

"Please fill out these forms. Are you family?“ she asks you looking you up and down.

"Yes, I am.“ you reply without thinking and take the clipboard out of her hand and walk to the waiting area. Filling out the forms takes more time than you thought, because your eyes keep wandering to the door Melody was taken through.