As you walked down the hallway, you can't help but feel nervous as well as funny. Things had been going well enough for you this morning - it didn't rain like the forecast said it would and you could enjoy walking to Royal Woods Elementary, nor were you feeling jittery or unprepared for Mrs. Johnson's test - but as soon as you stepped inside the building you began noticing it. Well, whatever it was.
For reasons you couldn't explain, you felt like you were being prodded and poked by hundred of sharp needles. It took everything you had not to draw attention to your situation, even though it was becoming increasingly difficult for you focus on anything. No need to make everyone else worry or feel as uncomfortable as you. It would be best to just tough out the class and complete the test. Of course, Mrs. Johnson noticed you fidgeting in your seat along with a clear sign of agitation written on your face as she was handing out the tests. When she asked if you were well, your initial response what that you were still a little tired but you were otherwise feeling alright. She continued to dispense test papers, although you could tell she was not satisfied with your response. About ten minutes into test time, Mrs. Johnson took notice of your discomfort and agitation once more. She had correctly deduced that you were unwell and, out of concern for your health, requested that you go to the school infirmary. Despite your insistence that you were "fine", which you weren't, Agnes would not hear of it. She said she would postpone your test until later - after you visited the school nurse - but you had to leave immediately. Out of respect for your very caring teacher, and because you didn't want to fail a test you studied your brain out for, you complied with her request - even if she kind of twisted your arm a little.
So here you are now, walking towards the school infirmary and lost in your thoughts. What exactly is wrong with you? What did you do to trigger it, or if not you then what happened to you? You aren't the most physically active kid in this neck of the woods (no pun intended) so you know it isn't a sports injury. If anything you aren't so much in pain as you're feeling...sensitive? Also, you never had a reason to visit the infirmary, much less the nurse, so what would she be like? Is she nice? Is she uptight? Can she even figure out what's wrong with you and fix it with one visit? You don't want to see any doctors if you can help it.
It seems all of those answers, or most of them, lay just beyond the door in front of you. After a moment of hesitation, you open it. The room looks about what you would expect from an infirmary, but that's not what grabs your attention. Standing beside a cupboard is a rather attractive brunette wearing red lipstick and a teal nurse's uniform tightening the lid of a medicine jar. As she finished screwing the lid back on, she notices you in the corner of eye and looks in your direction.
Greeting you with a smile she said, "Hello there. Who might you be?"
You can't help but feel a little giddy. You've only been in this woman's presence for only five seconds and you've already concluded that she's as nice as she is pretty. So you smile back and tell her your name.
"I don't think I've ever seen you before, but it's still nice to meet you. I'm Patti, the school nurse, though I think you might have guessed that already." She followed that introduction up with chuckle. "So what brings you here?"
Such a charming woman. You can't help but like her already.
"Well," you begin as you gently rub your arm, "I don't know why but ever since I got to school I've been feeling really... sensitive? It's getting been harder to deal with by the minute."
The nurse's expression turns to one of light concern. "Sensitive?" she asked, "How sensitive? Are you in any pain?"
"Not really," you say, "but it's getting harder to deal with by the minute. Even Mrs. Johnson could tell something was wrong with me."
"I see," said Patti. "Well, don't take this personally but if you're really not feeling well then you shouldn't try to hide it or pretend it's not there. I'm sure you had your reasons, but it's important to look after yourself. You're nothing if you're not healthy."
No kid likes being lectured, is what you would have included, but when Nurse Patti did it to you it didn't come off as patronizing to you at all. It sounded like genuine concern and that she was speaking from the heart - or even past experience. In any case, she was not only right but she had chosen the right profession.
"Okay, Nurse Patti. I'll remember that for the future."
Patti nodded in satisfaction and gave a tiny smile. "That's all I can ask from anyone, student or no student. So where are you feeling sensitive?"
You hesitate before telling her. "Well..."
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