CAPTURE THIS (Updating regularly)

Chapter 10

Amber nodded. Mr Riley took the seat next to her as the doctor picked up his surgical scissors. 

He spared her a quick glance before he got started. "Some patients prefer not to look." 

Amber turned her gaze towards the window, where a crow was sitting, and instinctively took her father's hand. Her father had been there for every doctor's appointment, dentist appointment and opticians appointment, even when her mother had been alive. Amber would always take his hand when there was a blood test or a shot. This moment was no different. She squeezed his large calloused hands with every tug at her skin. She felt tears prick her eyes but willed herself to keep them prisoner in her eyes. 

"There we go. All done," the doctor announced after what felt like an eternity. 

Amber took a deep breath and blinked rapidly to dissolve her tears. 

"Is there anything else we need to do?" Mr Riley asked as they rose from their seats. 

The doctor shook his head as he took off his lavender latex gloves. "Nothing else. There might be a faint scar but nothing too hideous. You can come back if the scarring worries you, but that should be all." 

Amber nodded and Mr Riley shook the doctor's hand. They thanked him and left the room. It was and odd feeling being able to walk unaided. She felt a faint tugging feeling at her wound, despite knowing that it was just the memory of the doctor's hand on her stitches. 

When they got back to the car, both Mr Riley and Amber were very aware of the conversation they had had on the way to the hospital, however, neither of them were willing to bring it up again. 

"Should I drop you off at school?" Mr Riley asked as he started the engine. 

Amber nodded. "It's about lunch time now anyway. I'll just head into my next class." 

Sure, your next class. With Charming. She told the sly little voice inside her head to shut up and prayed that she wouldn't blush in front of her father for seemingly no reason. 

The drive to school was more relaxed as they both listened to the radio on the way. Amber felt as though a massive weight had been lifted off of her chest. She was grateful that they had spoken about Ann.

When she got to school, Amber hurried for the bathroom to pull on her black tights, to cover her skinny legs and the ugly wound on her thigh, before reapplying her lipstick. She had Art next and she didn't intend on entering the classroom late looking like a flustered mess.

Every single pair of eyes seemed to be on her as she hesitantly opened the door. A special pair of electric blue eyes were reserved for her as she walked through the middle of the class to take her seat on the stool beside Zora. 

Mr Knightly (as she had taken to calling him when she was in class) continued his lecture whilst she settled down in her seat. 

"Look at you, walking without your crutches," Zora commented when they were finally given the chance to speak. 

They were drawing portraits of each other so that they could identify the style of art their own was closest to. Amber and Zora chose to draw each other. 

"It's so good not to have to walk so painfully slowly," Amber told her with a grin. "Though, I will miss you carrying my lunch for me." 

Zora laughed quietly. "Keep still, I can't quite get your eyes right. You'll end up with two black dots if you don't stop moving." 

The lesson passed cheerfully and Amber was tried not to pay much attention to Mr Knightly but he would sometimes linger around her easel. She followed his steady pacing around the classroom through the corner of her eye, conscious of whenever he drew near. She didn't understand how the other girls didn't throw themselves at him like they did with some of the other young male teachers. It made her feel slightly relieved that she wouldn't have to fight for his attention.