I stare at the screen for a minute or two before texting her that I'll be there as soon as school ends. If I leave now, I'll have to come back. I'll need to be with Rayah the whole week. I can't keep going back and forth.
``` Nic
I wake as the bell rings and walk to my next class, looking through my phone as the lecture goes on.
I'm never what I like I'm double sided And I just can't hide I kind of like it When I make you cry 'Cause I'm twisted up, twisted up Inside
I don't respond, running to class and rushing through my exam. As soon as I finish, I head to my next and take it with the professor's current class. The bell rings before I get to my last one, but I hurry through it anyway.
``` Nic
I resort to texting Jackie and ask how Rayah is.
I'm never what I like I'm double sided And I just can't hide I kind of like it When I make you cry 'Cause I'm twisted up, twisted up Inside
I finish my last exam and hand it in, rushing to the bathrooms. After washing my mouth out once more, I head up to my dorm and rush to pack a bag. I keep my school stuff with me, knowing I'll have work over the break, and shove a few pairs of clothes and my Christmas gifts for Rayah, Jackie, and Nic in another. Once finished, I fill the tub with water and drop a drachma inside. It shimmers into a portal and I drop through with my bags, getting there just as my stomach decides to act up again.
``` Nic
I frown and sigh. Jace would know what to do.
I'm never what I like I'm double sided And I just can't hide I kind of like it When I make you cry 'Cause I'm twisted up, twisted up Inside
I swallow, looking over Rayah, before bolting in the bathroom and doubling over. I wash my mouth out quick, my tongue burning for how many times I've had to do it in the past four hours, and walk back out. Dazed, I sit behind Rayah and take her gently in my arms, swallowing, "Beyond the blood thing, tell me what's wrong, Jacks."
``` Nic
I skip last class and head to my dorm, pacing.
I'm never what I like I'm double sided And I just can't hide I kind of like it When I make you cry 'Cause I'm twisted up, twisted up Inside
I nod and swallow, looking over Rayah, "Draw a bath. Lukewarm. We can try to lower her fever that way. I don't know what to do about the coughing... Except maybe a breathing treatment. Do you have a nebulizer here?"
I'm never what I like I'm double sided And I just can't hide I kind of like it When I make you cry 'Cause I'm twisted up, twisted up Inside