“I’ll be coming around with a dropper of water to prepare your cards, so please don’t start until I get to you.” He began at Mike’s table again, carefully putting one drop of water in each of the four squares. “Then I want you to carefully prick your finger with the lancet. . . .” He grabbed Mike’s hand and jabbed the spike into the tip of Mike’s middle finger. Oh no. Clammy moisture broke out across my forehead.
“Put a small drop of blood on each of the prongs.” He demonstrated, squeezing Mike’s finger till the blood flowed. I swallowed convulsively, my stomach heaving.
“And then apply it to the card,” he finished, holding up the dripping red card for us to see. I closed my eyes, trying to hear through the ringing in my ears.
“The Red Cross is having a blood drive in Port Angeles next weekend, so I thought you should all know your blood type.” He sounded proud of himself. “Those of you who aren’t eighteen yet will need a parent’s permission — I have slips at my desk.”
He continued through the room with his water drops. I put my cheek against the cool black tabletop and tried to hold on to my consciousness. All around me I could hear squeals, complaints, and giggles as my classmates skewered their fingers. I breathed slowly in and out through my mouth.
“Bella, are you all right?” Mr. Banner asked. His voice was close to my head, and it sounded alarmed.
“I already know my blood type, Mr. Banner,” I said in a weak voice. I was afraid to raise my head.
“Are you feeling faint?”
“Yes, sir,” I muttered, internally kicking myself for not ditching when I had the chance.
“Can someone take Bella to the nurse, please?” he called.
I didn’t have to look up to know that it would be Mike who volunteered.
“Can you walk?” Mr. Banner asked.
“Yes,” I whispered. Just let me get out of here, I thought. I’ll crawl.
Mike seemed eager as he put his arm around my waist and pulled my arm over his shoulder. I leaned against him heavily on the way out of the classroom.
Mike towed me slowly across campus. When we were around the edge of the cafeteria, out of sight of building four in case Mr. Banner was watching, I stopped.
“Just let me sit for a minute, please?” I begged.
He helped me sit on the edge of the walk.
“And whatever you do, keep your hand in your pocket,” I warned. I was still so dizzy. I slumped over on my side, putting my cheek against the freezing, damp cement of the sidewalk, closing my eyes. That seemed to help a little.
“Wow, you’re green, Bella,” Mike said nervously.
“Bella?” a different voice called from the distance.
No! Please let me be imagining that horribly familiar voice.
“What’s wrong — is she hurt?” His voice was closer now, and he sounded upset. I wasn’t imagining it. I squeezed my eyes shut, hoping to die. Or, at the very least, not to throw up.
Mike seemed stressed. “I think she’s fainted. I don’t know what happened, she didn’t even stick her finger.”
“Bella.” Edward’s voice was right beside me, relieved now. “Can you hear me?”
“No,” I groaned. “Go away.”
He chuckled.
“I was taking her to the nurse,” Mike explained in a defensive tone, “but she wouldn’t go any farther.”
“I’ll take her,” Edward said. I could hear the smile still in his voice. “You can go back to class.”
“No,” Mike protested. “I’m supposed to do it.”
Suddenly the sidewalk disappeared from beneath me. My eyes flew open in shock. Edward had scooped me up in his arms, as easily as if I weighed ten pounds instead of a hundred and ten.
“Put me down!” Please, please let me not vomit on him. He was walking before I was finished talking.
“Hey!” Mike called, already ten paces behind us.
Edward ignored him. “You look awful,” he told me, grinning.
“Put me back on the sidewalk,” I moaned. The rocking movement of his walk was not helping. He held me away from his body, gingerly, supporting all my weight with just his arms — it didn’t seem to bother him.
“So you faint at the sight of blood?” he asked. This seemed to entertain him.
I didn’t answer. I closed my eyes again and fought the nausea with all my strength, clamping my lips together.
“And not even your own blood,” he continued, enjoying himself.
I don’t know how he opened the door while carrying me, but it was suddenly warm, so I knew we were inside.
“Oh my,” I heard a female voice gasp.
“She fainted in Biology,” Edward explained.