It hadn’t been too early in the morning when Liv had heard the news, she was sure her heart stopped beating for a brief moment. She probably shouldn’t even feel like that, she probably shouldn’t be allowed to feel the way she was feeling, but she could have sworn that something had a tight grip on her chest, not letting her breathe and not letting her heart beat properly. The first thought that ran through her mind was Travis, where was he? How was he? Was he injured or dead? She didn’t know what happened, she simply heard the name of the street and house number, the same house she had been in previously. She didn’t know the woman, but she knew her son.
The day had started with a shock, Liv knew Travis had nothing to do with it, but rumours spread quickly, and she even had gotten upset with a few students that were making comments. She probably shouldn’t have grown so attached to him, she was unable to do her job properly, even getting upset with no reason. It was clear that she was on edge, anyone who knew her well enough could see how her eyes lacked that spark, and how temperatures began to rise near her. She was heartbroken for the young man, and she was enraged. Was she even allowed to? Travis was precious to her, and what had happened most likely broke him even more.
She didn’t have that many details, but she knew that Travis was alive, she just wasn’t sure how he was, emotionally probably angry, mentally probably broken. Liv couldn’t help to feel a bit guilty over it. She couldn’t know that was going to happen, but she still felt the guilt sneaking up behind, poking at her, making fun of her. She tried to remain calm, start with work to keep her mind off of things, but it didn’t work how she had planned.
She wanted to talk to Travis, she wanted to see how he was doing, she wanted to be there for him, but at the same time she couldn’t leave her post, it was like luck wasn’t on her side. She also couldn’t keep doing the job, after firing a condescending remark to a student, boiling potions just my touching them, breaking a few glasses, and almost melting the handle of the door, she had to check on Travis, or the Hospital Wing was going to burn, no matter who or what was in it.
Liv’s last remaining option was to get Travis to come to her, and he did. He was physically unharmed, and when she laid her eyes on him, she was able to breathe again. She felt relieved that he was alright, above everything else, seeing him brought a little comfort to her, a fake comfort, she knew his state of mind wasn’t the best. Some people didn’t even notice, and those that did sneak out of the clinic, Liv watched them leave, but ultimately Travis had her attention as she led him towards a quieter location, she didn’t speak a word until they were out of sight and prying eyes.
“Travis…” she couldn’t form the correct words. What was she going to tell him? Sorry? Sorry wasn’t enough. She wrapped her arms around him, trying to give him as much comfort at she could possibly give him, given the situation. She held him tight, she knew her body temperature was too high, but one’s anger just doesn’t disappear, it takes time and patience. She didn’t open her mouth to speak, she just held him close, waiting for the right moment to say something. “Travis…I’m so sorry.” She finally spoke, she couldn’t even bring herself to give him a smile.