#Chapter 140: The Qualifying Exam

The next morning, I woke only slightly groggy. The doctor at the urgent care didn’t suspect a concussion, but Asher continued to wake me every few hours through the night just to be sure. My head did ache something fierce though, and a look in the mirror showed a nasty bruise on my forehead. Asher stirred from where he’d piled a pillow and blanket on the floor. I’d offered to share the bed but ever since the diagnosis he had been treating me like I was made of glass. I ignored him, just as I ignored the many unread messages on my phone. Everyone had checked in overnight: Aimee, Nicole, Nancy, even Irene. I didn’t want to talk to anyone until this was over. I grabbed some clothes from my drawers and went to the communal bathroom down the hall to shower and change. When I returned, I covered my bruise in makeup, before fixing up the rest of my face. Asher was awake by then, and sat on the edge of the bed, looking out the window. He didn’t say a word to me when I came into the