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
Spend your days thinking about things that are good and true and beautiful and noble, and you will become good and true and beautiful and noble. — Matthew Kelly