The morning air was thick with humidity, clinging to the skin like an unwelcome second layer. Even with the absence of classes, the school had an oddly subdued atmosphere. The administration had granted students the rest of the week off Thursday and Friday to prepare for the upcoming tests, but the break was met with mixed reactions. Some students welcomed the free time, using it as an opportunity to catch up on assignments or relax. Others saw it as an excuse to slack off, spending the day idling in the classroom or aimlessly wandering the hallways.
For Faith, though, this day was nothing short of miserable.
A loud sneeze suddenly rang through the class, abrupt and forceful, drawing everyone's attention. Heads turned toward the sound, eyes landing on the source of the disturbance.
Faith sat at her desk, a tissue clutched in her hand, her nose red from irritation. Her long, dark hair was a tangled mess, strands falling over her pale, weary face. She looked exhausted, as if she hadn't had a decent night's sleep in days. The sleeves of her uniform were rolled up, but she still felt uncomfortably warm. Yet, oddly enough, she had a sweater tied around her waist.
Across the room, Alex eyed her dramatically before scooting her chair backward. "Don't infect me, lol."
The class, which had fallen silent for a brief moment, resumed its usual hum of activity. Some students chuckled at Alex's antics, while others simply went back to whatever they were doing, unfazed by the disruption.
Faith sniffled, dabbing at her nose with an already-soaked handkerchief. She had gone through two of them already, and they were completely useless now.
Alex, still keeping her distance, reached into her bag and pulled out a pack of tissues. She peeled one from the roll and extended it toward Faith.
Before Faith could take it, Stephanie, ever the instigator, smirked. "Why not just give her the whole thing? She clearly needs it all."
Alex blinked, then shrugged. "Fair point." Without hesitation, she tossed the entire tissue roll onto Faith's desk.
Faith, too drained to argue, simply accepted the offering in silence.
"You should go to the clinic," a concerned classmate suggested.
Faith waved a dismissive hand. "Don't worry. I'll be fine. It's just the… weather—"
Before she could even finish her sentence, another sneeze ripped through her, forcing her forward slightly.
Alex winced. "Aww. You look awful. Like, actually dying-awful. Your hair's a disaster, too," she added, reaching over to brush away some stray strands covering Faith's face.
Faith scowled, swatting Alex's hand away weakly. "I'm not sick. It's just the weather."
"You always say that," Stephanie countered. "But you're so stubborn, and it's not good for you. You don't like admitting when something's wrong, and that's a problem. You're getting older, Faith. Fewer people are going to go out of their way to look after you. That alone should be reason enough for you to start confronting your problems instead of brushing them off."
For once, Faith didn't have a snarky reply. Maybe it was the fever muddling her thoughts, or maybe—just maybe—Stephanie had a point.
With a heavy sigh, Faith rubbed her temple. "Fine. I'll go to the clinic… but after break time."
Alex shook her head, unimpressed. "You really look messed up, Faith."
Faith let out a dry laugh, resting her head on her desk. "Y'all should keep your distance from me. It might be the flu. I don't want to infect you."
Stephanie immediately stepped back. "That's actually a good point. I shouldn't have come near you."
Alex smirked. "You're definitely spending the rest of the day with the nurse."
Break time
The classroom was alive with noise again—students chatting, desks scraping, laughter bouncing off the walls.
But Faith remained unmoving, her head resting on her desk, her breathing slow and heavy.
Alex and Stephanie sat nearby, watching her.
"Should I wake her up?" Alex asked.
Stephanie nodded. "Yeah, she has to go to the clinic."
Alex hesitated, then grinned. "She actually looks kinda cute sleeping. Except… her skin's really pale. Like, European-pale."
Stephanie tilted her head in thought. "Well, she is half European. Her mom's German, remember?"
Alex raised a brow. "Crazy how her skin only goes ghost-white when she's sick."
Stephanie shrugged. "Let's just wake her up before she actually passes out. And get her to the hospi—" she paused, correcting herself, "—the clinic."
Before Alex could move, she blurted out, "I crave bread. Is that weird?"
Stephanie blinked. "Now that you said it… I kind of do too."
Alex sighed. "I should've asked Cole where he got those doughnuts yesterday."
Stephanie's eyes lit up. "He bought doughnuts?"
"No, we walked home together yesterday. I meant I should've asked him where he usually gets them. They probably sell other stuff there too."
At that moment, Faith stirred, lifting her head sluggishly. "You left me yesterday to walk home with Cole?" Her voice was noticeably stronger than before, though still hoarse.
Alex smirked. "Of course, Cole would make you feel better. Now get up, let's go to the clinic."
She pulled out her phone and snapped a quick photo of Faith, who groaned in protest.
Faith waved them off. "Don't worry, I'll go alone. I don't want to get you infected."
Alex crossed her arms. "You look awful. Are you sure?"
Faith nodded. "Yeah. My whole body feels gross right now."
Alex relented but pointed to the pile of used tissues. "Fine, but don't forget to toss those in the hallway bin."
Faith let out a weary sigh, scooping up the tissues before dragging herself out of the classroom.
The moment she stepped into the hallway, she noticed something strange. It was empty.
For a lecture-free week, that was unusual. The school was still open—students should have been roaming around, chatting, or doing something. Yet, the corridor was eerily silent.
Faith adjusted her grip on the tissues in her hand and pressed forward, walking sluggishly, her mind hazy from the fever.
As she turned left at the end of the hall, she saw something—**or someone—**approaching her.
She stopped for a fraction of a second.
It was Cole.
Her heart gave a small, unexpected jolt. Not because she was surprised to see him she wasn't. But because, in her current state, she wasn't sure she wanted to be seen at all, especially by Cole of all people.
She tried to focus on walking properly, but her fever-clouded mind made it difficult.
Somewhere between staring at the floor and dragging her feet forward, she lost control of her own movement.
Her foot caught against her other leg.
And before she could react, she stumbled then fell, landing hard on the floor.