Read Hollywood Princess Online
Authors: Dana Aynn Levin
Hollywood Princess (36 page)
“Why would you think that?” My note taking stopped. I was studying French and was having a difficult enough time as it was. I yawned. Why was I so tired?
“Elizabeth, you’ve been sleeping here the last few nights,” she replied. “I’m not being nosy, but if you and Danny are having problems, I’m here if you want to talk.”
“Thanks, Chloe,“ I responded with another yawn. “Danny and I are solid.”
“Then why are you here?” Chloe knitted her brows, confused.
“Danny’s with Rachel. Post-production.”
Their short film was due soon, and they were working tirelessly to complete it. I understood the importance of this film. It was not only Danny’s major; it was his life. Tonight Danny hoped to get off earlier and if he did he had promised to come by.
“I know,” Chloe said. “I just thought you’d be sleeping downstairs so you could be together when Danny finally called it a night.”
I yawned again then stretched my arms. My back and shoulders were achy.
“No. Danny will come here.”
“You don’t mind? Danny’s always with Rachel lately.”
“Chloe, you know they’re only friends and work partners. Nothing else. I only mind, well I miss him of course. I hate not seeing Danny.”
I let out another large yawn. My eyelids became slits. “I’m so tired,” I complained.
“It’s not even nine o’clock.”
“I know. And I took a nap this afternoon.”
“It’s probably French. It’s boring you.”
“Probably, but I need to read at least five more pages.”
Once Chloe left, I returned to my book. My eyes wouldn’t stay open. One more page. One more page, I willed myself. I fought against my drooping eyes. Fail! Why fight a losing battle? I didn’t care how early it was, if I couldn’t keep my eyes open.
I changed into pajamas, crawled into bed, and instantly fell asleep.
I woke the next morning realizing three things. First, Danny was not in my bed and that meant he had worked late again. Second, at least I’d see him today in political science. And third, I was perspiring and could barely move.
Getting out of bed was difficult. Had my head gained weight? It was so heavy. Despite eleven solid hours of sleep, I was dragging my feet as I prepared for the day.
It was too late in the term to be sick. I couldn’t afford to miss any classes plus I had too much studying to do. “Toughen up, Elizabeth,” I urged myself. I needed to function today. I could sleep again later.
“Elizabeth,” Professor Dennison said as class ended, “I’d like to speak with you.”
Was I in trouble? I looked to Danny. He shrugged. My heart told me I’d done nothing wrong. My head told me, well it told me absolutely nothing. I had a pounding headache and absolutely no energy.
As the classroom emptied, I collected my books and with Danny by my side, I cautiously made my way to the professor waiting in the front by the lectern. My books seemed far heavier than usual.
“Danny, you can stay. It’s nothing that you can’t hear.”
I placed my books on the first desk, glad to be eased of the burden. Danny stood by my side and reached for my hand.
“Elizabeth, are you all right?” Professor Dennison asked with concern.
“I may be coming down with a bug.” I tried minimizing how poorly I felt.
“Eli, what’s wrong?” Danny was alarmed.
“It’s probably just a cold.”
“Danny, Elizabeth looks awful.” the professor asked. “Or are you not together anymore?”
“Of course we’re together,” Danny answered, surprised by the question. “I haven’t been around much this week. My film is due in a few days.”
Danny carefully studied me. I hated the scrutiny.
“Owen’s right. Eli, you look awful. I’m taking you home and putting you to bed.”
I shook my head no. “I have to study French.”
“Elizabeth, French can wait.”
“Thank you, professor. I’m sure…” my voice trailed off, the room was spinning.
“Elizabeth!” Owen exclaimed.
“She’s fainted!” I’d never seen anyone faint before.
“I’ll call
emergency. Carry Elizabeth to my office.”
I scooped Eli up in my arms and ran after Owen, sprinting to his offic
e a short way down the hall. There I carefully placed Eli on the couch.
“Loosen her clothes,” Owen ordered as he rummaged through his gym bag.
I elevated Elizabeth’s head on a sofa pillow as I undid a couple of buttons on her silk blouse and unhooked her lacy bra.
Owen found a towel, and
as he ran down the hall to the bathroom to wet it, I gently shook Eli. Her eyes slowly fluttered open. Only seconds had passed, but it seemed much longer.
Owe
n quickly returned with the wet towel. Kneeling beside the couch, I applied the cold compress to her neck while he called the health center. Eli looked around the office with glazed-over eyes before returning her vacant stare to me.
“You’re i
n Owen’s office. Honey, you fainted.”
Then
I touched Elizabeth’s forehead. She was on fire!
“Danny, I’m scared.”
I patted Elizabeth’s hand for comfort.
“The medics are on their way,” said Owen.
“I’ve never fainted before.” Elizabeth’s voice was barely audible.
“That’s okay.
It happens,” I said in the gentlest voice.
I massaged her fingers.
Elizabeth couldn’t see my fear. I had to be strong.
“I’m so embarrassed,” she whispered and looked toward the professor.
“Don’t sweat it, babe,” I reassured her.
Ow
en was cool. He was probably glad this happened in his room so he could be of assistance.
Soon the medics arrived.
After a cursory exam, I carried Elizabeth down to the van for the short trip to the infirmary.
When we arrived, I lifted Eli and carr
ied her in. She was weak and helpless.
The nurse indicated an open examination room.
“Don’t leave me,” Elizabeth pleaded.
“I’m here,
baby.”
“I feel woozy
.”
“Here, let me.”
I effortlessly picked her up and Elizabeth cradled her head against my shoulder. Through my shirt, I felt her fever.
Soon after,
the doctor entered. He glanced at me, hinting that I should leave the room. Eli clutched my arm. She stared at the doctor, but her eyes didn’t focus.
“Danny stays.”
Eli’s voice was weak.
The doctor sighed.
He wasn’t winning this battle.
E
lizabeth had a fever of 103.8. Official diagnosis: flu.
“Elizabeth, y
ou’ll have to stay in the infirmary until your fever breaks and you regain your strength,” the doctor said.
“How long will that be?” I asked.
“Probably three days. Possibly longer.”
“My classes,” Eli protested.
“I have to study.”
“Elizabeth, you’re not g
oing anywhere,” I said firmly.
“You’re contagious and you’re
weak,” the doctor explained. “Elizabeth, you can’t attend classes or return to the dorm.”
Elizabeth’s private room
was like that of any hospital. It even included a television. The nurse gave Eli medication to bring down her fever and encouraged her to drink some apple juice. She carefully stuck Eli’s left hand with a needle and attached an IV to keep her hydrated.
Lying in bed, her eyes glazed and bar
ely open, Eli seemed so small. I sat down beside her and took her right hand.
“Eli, you need to sleep.
I’ll come back tonight.”
“
I’m tired,” Elizabeth admitted.
I leaned ove
r and kissed her hot forehead. “I love you, baby. I’ll be back later.” Elizabeth half-smiled and closed her eyes.
“Danny, where were you this afternoon? We had editorial reserved.” Rachel barked.
The hairs on
the back of my neck prickled. My intention was to have a quick bite in the cafeteria while going unnoticed. Instead, I had Rachel barking at me.
I didn’t respond, afraid I would explode and say something I would later regret. Rachel
knew how conscientious I was. Hell, I had more at stake than she did. Rachel should know if I blew her off there was a good reason. Yet there she was, addressing me as though I were a naughty child shirking my responsibilities.
Rachel sat down in a huff and only then noticed that I was alone.
“Where’s your wife?” she snarled. Her voice was filled with rancor.
“In the
infirmary with the flu,” I snapped. Between Rachel’s rudeness and worrying over Eli, I was in a sour mood.
“Infirmary!
I had no idea…” she said contritely. “I thought…”
“Thought what
?” I exploded. “That I was off getting wasted? Or maybe I was having sex with my girlfriend? I thought you knew me better than that! Screw you, Rach!” I slammed my plate down hard for emphasis.
“Danny! I didn’t mean that.”
But of course she did.
“Then what did you mean?”
“I, I thought,” she stammered.“ I was angry because you didn’t call or text.”
“Use your brains!
Maybe I couldn’t call because there are some things that are even more important than that damned film!”
“I’m sorry.
I know how dedicated you are. How’s Elizabeth?”
“Nice of you to ask. She’ll be fine.
Once she spends the week in bed. I’ve hardly seen her all week and now it will be another week,” I grumbled.
“Poor you,” Rachel said, her voice dripping in sarcasm.
“Yes, poor me. I don’t like being without Elizabeth.”
“This is not about you, Danny. Elizabeth’s really sick.”
“No shit, Rachel,” I said curtly. “I WAS the one who caught her when she fainted. I simply prefer my girlfriend healthy and with me.”
Rachel gasped.
“You are so self-centered. You could have seen her all week but whenever I suggested quitting early you wouldn’t hear of it. But now she’s unavailable, so you’re angry. I can’t believe you.”
“You are so wrong.
Eli understood I wanted to work as much as possible. She knows I’m a perfectionists, and Eli understands this life. But damn it, I miss her.”
“Where’s Eliza
beth?” Chloe cheerfully asked. She seemingly appeared from out of nowhere with her dinner plate in hand.
“Infirmary
. Flu,” I answered sharply.
“Oh.
I half expected that,” she said as she sat down.
“Why did you half expect it?” I grilled her.
“Don’t you ever speak to your girlfriend anymore?”
“Of course I speak
to my girlfriend,” I snapped. “I’ve been working late and Eli’s stubborn and doesn’t want me to worry. So why did you half expect it?”
“El
izabeth looked awful last night. She even went to bed before nine.”
“Why didn’t you call me?” If Eli wasn’t feeling well, Chloe should have called.
“Was I supposed to?”
“Yes!” I answered emphatically.
“You never told me that was my job,” Chloe countered.
“Of course that’s your job. Chloe, you’re her roommate.
If Elizabeth is sick, you call me. It’s that simple. Eli can’t be alone if she’s sick.”
Chloe and Rachel
starred at me with wide eyes. Why didn’t they understand? I had to take care of Elizabeth.
“What?” I asked angrily.
“This is too weird,” Rachel muttered.
“Hey, guys.”
It was Shane and behind him was Cam.
“Where’s Mrs
. Newman?” Cam asked playfully. Rachel put her finger to her lips and gave them a warning glare.
“I wish you hadn’t asked,” Chloe groaned.
“Why?” Cam asked. Then he stopped in his tracks, alarm spread across his face. Cam looked at me, then at Rachel and back to me. “Danny, you haven’t gotten divorced, have you? Is that why I haven’t seen you with your wife all week?”
“I’m so out of here,” F
rustrated and angry, I bolted. “Eli is not my wife nor are we getting divorced. Oh, and Cam, she’s in the infirmary.” I bolted from the cafeteria.
I was sick of this! J
ust because I loved Eli, and we were living together, that did not make her my spouse. Until that day in the future when I proposed, Elizabeth understood I was not being serious when I called her Mrs. Newman. Why didn’t our friends?
