Chapter 1: Hibiscus Chooses Dovic and Has a Covid Test

Hibiscus searched the website trying to find the right teddy bear to introduce to her class. It had been a challenging year and she felt the right bear would add a bit of sunshine and fun to the cold winter. If you had been in the room with her, this is what you would have heard her say;

"That bear is too small.

That bear is too big.

That bear is too fat.

That bear is too thin.

Is that even a bear?? 

Not cuddly enough.

Too white - it would get dirty too soon.

Not cute enough.

Too pretty - too perfect.

That bear looks too boring.

I don't like the colour on that one."

She kept scouring the website until the right one popped up. "Yes! That is Dovic. He looks a little bit mischievous and curious. He looks cuddly and has soft fur. He's just the right size, not too big, not too small. Yes, he's the one for my favourite class of 2020" and with that, she clicked off the computer, smiled and headed for bed. She stopped and looked at the other teddy bears in her clan and thought Dovic would fit right in. She yawned just then and headed off as she had an early start in the morning.

Hibiscus parked her car as close as she could to the building and got out of the car. She looked up ahead with dismay, her toes and fingers already beginning to numb with the cold. Although she was early, the line snaked its way alongside the road, past gnarly old trees, makeshift barriers and hastily erected shelters. She raised an eyebrow and wondered doubtfully if perhaps it would provide shade from the cold and the wind.

She regretted her ill-thought decision to leave her coat at home thinking the wait would be indoors, and jogged up and down on the spot, walking backwards, then forwards, in an attempt to get warm and get her steps count up. She sent off an email to work to let them know the latest update and texted a friend to let her know her latest frustration. 

The sign up ahead read there could be a seven day wait for results and she tried to quell the feeling of disappointment. "It's not fair!" she breathed, and her warm breath floated out into the cold air. 

She donned the free surgical mask and the security guard gestured to her, telling her it was inside out. She obediently turned it around and he gestured again, a wry smile hidden beneath his mask, as it was now upside down. After pinching it into place, she took her glasses off as they kept fogging up. Stamping her feet, she almost sang along with the little girl and her mother who were behind her. "B.I.N.G.O. and Bingo was his name, oh".

Entering the building, she was asked her personal details and they updated their form. It wasn't a long wait and she entered Room 4, ready to get the test over and done with. She chatted to the nurse who talked about what a crazy world we now live in, with things changing by the moment. The nurse told Hibiscus to look up at the light and rub her tongue against the roof of her mouth, while she inserted the cotton tip up her nose. As quick as it went in, it came out. Hibiscus then had to open her mouth so the nurse could get a sample of her saliva. It was all over very quickly. 

Arriving home, Hibiscus poured herself a diet coke and wrapped herself in a blanket. The phone rang not long after and she chatted with her friend about the adventure she had just had. She had no symptoms and there was no reason it shouldn't be negative but she knew she had to stay home until she got the all-clear results. In the meantime, she would plan some adventures for when Dovic arrived.