Chapter 329
Chapter 329:
Sloane silently appreciated her decision to come and check on Fernanda; it was clear as day that her friend wasn’t in good shape.
“Let me take you to the infirmary,” Sloane said gently, her voice tinged with concern. “You can’t just rely on pills when you’re this unwell p>
Fernanda gave a faint nod.
She knew her body better than anyone and could tell she was running on fumes. Ignoring it would only dig the hole deeper.
With her head pounding and her body feeling weak and fatigued, Fernanda put on her shoes and got out of bed.
The sun was slanting in the sky, making it a little cold as they walked out of the dorm. For a moment, Fernanda couldn’t tell if it was morning or dusk.
“What time is it?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper, raspy from dryness.
“It’s just past seven in the morning,” Sloane answered, glancing at her watch. Fernanda’s foggy memory pieced together that she had crawled into bed around the same time the night before.
No wonder she felt like she’d been hit by a freight train—anyone would feel off-kilter after sleeping that long.
At the infirmary, the nurse quickly confirmed Fernanda’s suspicions. She had a fever, a scratchy throat that was slightly inflamed, and an overall rundown appearance. The prescription? Intravenous therapy that would take about an hour and a half to finish all four bottles.
“You should head to class,” Fernanda suggested, trying to muster a reassuring smile. “There’s no need for you to stay here with me p>
Sloane’s expression turned stubborn as she shook her head. “No chance. I’m not leaving you here by yourself. Anyway, it’s just an optional class this morning, and I already arranged to skip it p>
“Thanks,” Fernanda said, her smile faint but sincere.
Sloane glanced down, her emotions a whirlwind of guilt and determination. She had never imagined that her well-meaning invitation to explore Lochmoor—a haven celebrated for its breathtaking landscapes—would spiral into such a cascade of events. Sloane now found herself steeped in regret, lamenting the decision to extend the offer. If only she had refrained, perhaps Fernanda would have avoided encountering Rafael and the boy, leaving her free from exhaustion.
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Sloane’s guilt hung around her like a cloud, so thick and palpable that Fernanda noticed it.
“The sea of clouds we saw yesterday morning was absolutely spectacular,” Fernanda remarked, her voice light as if trying to disperse the weight of the moment. “I had never witnessed anything like that before. It was my first time, and it was both awe-inspiring and serene. And the sunset from the night before—it was like a painting. Your photos are amazing. I even set one as my phone wallpaper p>
Sloane blinked, unsure if Fernanda’s words were meant to soothe her. Hesitant, she ventured, “Do you regret going p>
“Regret? Not at all,” Fernanda replied with a gentle smile. “We went there to hike, camp, and soak in the scenery, and we did exactly that. I’m happy with what we got to experience. A few hiccups along the way don’t overshadow the rest p>