Page 14 of Rescuer

"Thanks," I muttered as she pushed me down into the seat none too gently.

"Anytime, creep,” she whispered the last part, earning a few laughs from surrounding classmates.

Class went on, and as the bell rang, I felt my stomach clench. Halt hadn’t come. I sat there, unmoving, as everyone rushed out. I didn't want to disrupt Angel. Her classes were on the other side of the campus.

"Still a no-show, huh?" Mrs. L asked, her hand coming to rest on my shoulder.

There was a knock on the door as she spoke. My heart stopped as she moved away from me to go open it. "Is Noalie still here?" Halt’s breathless voice filled the quiet room.

"Waiting ever so patiently for you," she replied, a hint of anger seeping in, surprising me. I could get around with my white stick, but the other students had a habit of just staying in my way, making navigation without a guide hard.

"I'm so sorry, Noah." Halt's warm hand grabbed mine.

"Whatever," I said, getting up and letting him guide me out of the classroom.

"Noah, please—you have to hear me out."

"I don't want to. You have no idea what I've been through this morning just because you weren't happy about a decision that I made about something concerning me—not you!"

"You're right. I have no idea, but this decision isn't only about you. It's about everyone around you. Your blindness doesn't just affect you, Noalie!" I heard a few gasps as students walked past, and I tried to ignore them as Halt's words hit me.

"Let go of me."

"Noah—"

"I said let go of me!" Ripping my hand out of his, I stumbled backward, tripping over something and suddenly falling down at a rapid speed. My head bounced off the hard floor.

"Noah!" Halt's voice echoed in my mind as I slowly faded away.

---

"How could you do that?" Renee's voice rose in the quiet room, dragging me toward consciousness.

"It was an accident; I swear!" Halt shouted back.

"Renee, Halt, calm down. She's alright. There's no reason to make such a scene," Charlie ordered as a warm hand squeezed mine.

"How can you speak so calmly when our sister is lying on a hospital bed, completely unconscious?" Renee cried.

I squeezed the hand holding mine, hoping to get their attention. "She's squeezing my hand," Charlie whispered.

"Lee, baby, can you hear us?" Renee whispered, her hand latching onto my other one.

I tried to speak, but my throat hurt, so I nodded instead.

“Oh, Lee!” Renee cried, pulling me into her embrace.

“Here’s some water,” Halt mumbled, pressing a plastic cup to my lips. The cool liquid ran down my throat, soothing the flames.

“What happened?”

“You fell—" Charlie started.

“I know,” I sighed, “but after that.”

“I called 9-1-1. I couldn’t risk losing you.” Halt was speaking now, distress clear in his voice. “It was probably unnecessary, but you’re my top priority. I’m so sorry, Noah.” I felt Charlie’s hand disappear, and Halt’s took its place.

“It’s okay, Halt.” I swallowed past the lump in my throat. “I was wrong. I said some hurtful things, and I’m sorry.” His lips were on my cheek in the next second.

“I love you, Noah,” he whispered. A loud gasp ripped from Renee as I tried to stable my raging hormones.

“I’ve always loved you, Halt.” As I said that, the door opened.

“So, what did I miss?” Ryan asked, and if I could have seen, I was pretty sure Renee and Charlie were looking at him with shocked expressions since Halt and I had just declared our love for one another.