Сумерки

           "HebeganatMike’stableagain,carefullyputtingonedropofwaterineachofthefoursquares."ThenIwantyoutocarefullyprickyourfingerwiththelancet..."HegrabbedMike’shandandjabbedthespikeintothetipofMike’smiddlefinger.Ohno.Clammymoisturebrokeoutacrossmyforehead.

           "Putasmalldropofbloodoneachoftheprongs."Hedemonstrated,squeezingMike’sfingertillthebloodflowed.Iswallowedconvulsively,mystomachheaving.

           "Andthenapplyittothecard,"hefinished,holdingupthedrippingredcardforustosee.Iclosedmyeyes,tryingtohearthroughtheringinginmyears.

           "TheRedCrossishavingablooddriveinPortAngelesnextweekend,soIthoughtyoushouldallknowyourbloodtype."Hesoundedproudofhimself."Thoseofyouwhoaren’teighteenyetwillneedaparent’spermission-Ihaveslipsatmydesk."

           Hecontinuedthroughtheroomwithhiswaterdrops.Iputmycheekagainstthecoolblacktabletopandtriedtoholdontomyconsciousness.AllaroundmeIcouldhearsqueals,complaints,andgigglesasmyclassmatesskeweredtheirfingers.Ibreathedslowlyinandoutthroughmymouth.

           "Bella,areyouallright?"Mr.Bannerasked.Hisvoicewasclosetomyhead,anditsoundedalarmed.

           "Ialreadyknowmybloodtype,Mr.Banner,"Isaidinaweakvoice.Iwasafraidtoraisemyhead.

           "Areyoufeelingfaint?"

           "Yes,sir,"Imuttered,internallykickingmyselffornotditchingwhenIhadthechance.

           "CansomeonetakeBellatothenurse,please?"hecalled.