She paused before nodding, tucking a black lock of hair behind her ear as she started walking again. "I know that you're scared," she said quietly. "But it's for the greater good. This is important." She sounded as if she were trying to convince herself as well. * * * "Excuse you, that's my girlfriend."
He nodded, his eyebrows furrowing. "Okay. Thank you." *** She shrugged. "Short people in general," she said. "Excluding most kids."
She nodded, her brows furrowed. "It will all be fine." * * * "Well, you're kinda short," he said, patting the top of her head. "Are you evil?"
They got to the pediatrics ward, and Val looked around. "Ready?" *** "Oh, yes," he said dryly. "You just agreed to help me put coats on fifth graders. Pure evil."
She grit her teeth and opened the door. "Let's go." *** "You're the one who said short people are evil."
They went into the same closet, and Val opened her bag. "Let's just stuff a box in," she said. *** "You're shorter than me. That's short."
He nodded. "Okay. Sounds good." *** She frowned. "Have you considered the fact that you may be tall?"
Landon looked around in panic before jumping at the handle, holding it shut. "Find somewhere to hide!" His voice was low and urgent. "Quick! *** She frowned. "I'm not short."
She frowned and looked around before turning back to him. "Don't be silly. I'm not leaving you. Here's what we're going to do. Come over here and hug me and when they come in, do not look away from me. Do you understand? Keep your eyes on me." *** "We're going in circles here."
His eyes seemed slightly panicked, but he quickly followed through, doing as she said. *** "You started it."
Her frame was small and thin, and her pulse was quick. She ran her fingers through her hair, making it look ruffled and she buried her face in his neck. The door swung open and Val looked up with a gasp. A nurse looked at them with wide eyes. "What are you two doing in here?" he asked angrily. *** "I did not. You insulted my girlfriend."
She would be able to feel his quick heartbeat, and he seemed a bit flustered, but didn't say anything out loud. *** "Not directly!"
Val giggled, a strangely silly sound for her. "Oh, God," she said, a flush on her cheeks. "This is so embarrassing. Sorry. We..." She looked up at Landon with a loving smile before looking back at the nurse and stepping away. "Sorry." The nurse eyed them suspiciously before beckoning them out. "You're in a restricted zone. Come out of there." Val pulled him out of the room, her fingers intertwined with his. "Don't use the hospital for kissing, please," the nurse said sternly as he led them out to the hallway. "This is a place for medicine." *** "You said short people are evil. I consider that an insult."
Landon smiled anxiously. "Sorry. We got a little.. carried away." *** She pursed her lips. "You called me short."
He rolled his eyes and sighed. He closed the doors, and Val exhaled, shaking off his hand. "Jesus Christ." *** "Because you are."
