Fever

Adrienne

I was feeling really nauseous by the time I headed to the second class so I decided to skip it all together. It's not like the teacher cared and I could just study by myself later on plus I wouldn’t have to deal with Aziel. 

I headed to the library and fell asleep in  a quiet corner. I was having a fitful sleep and woke up when I felt a hand on my forehead. When I looked up I saw Aziel with a hand on my forehead with a concerned expression. “You are burning up, '' he said. “Shouldn’t you be in class?” I asked. “I just said that you have a fever and that is your concern?” he said looking bewildered. 

“Just answer my question. '' I said grumpily since I was feeling irritable. “Its lunch time sleepy head” he answered with a frown. I was shocked that I had slept for so long, I guess it was the fever’s fault and the beating this morning also didn’t help.

I felt my own head and realised that I really did have high fever. Aziel suddenly grabbed my hand and started pushing my sleeves up. His expression was grave and angry. I wondered what was bugging him but I realised my mistake. 

While I was examining my forehead my hoodie’s sleeve had rolled up and a huge bruise on my arm was visible. It was a really nasty one too and had turned a dark purple colour. “Who did this?” he asked with a stoic voice. I quickly snatched my hand up so that he could not look any further and answered “It's none of your business”. 

I gathered my things and put them in my bag and got ready to run when he grabbed my hand and said “Tell me” he added please after some thought. I was about to snatch my hand back once again when I saw his expression which was pained and angry. 

I don’t know why he would show those sorts of expressions when I just met him yesterday. I was technically a nobody to him. Still I hesitated due to his pained expression which seemed genuine and answered “I just fell down and landed on my hand. It's not a big deal” 

Aziel looked sceptical but it's not like I could provide him with the truth so he would just have to make do with that. He looked like he was contemplating something and stood up. “Stay here and don’t go anywhere” he said. I was really tired anyways so it was not like I could frolic around anywhere so I just sat down obediently.I dozed off once again since I didn’t have enough energy to stay awake. 

I woke up to someone gently shaking me awake. It was Aziel and he was holding a paper bag. I rubbed my eyes sleepily and sat up wondering what he had bought. It turned out to be medicine for both the fever and Advil plus ointment for the bruise. 

“The nurse said to take one in two times a day so you can take one right now” he said, taking out the fever medicine. I was really grateful for the sweet gesture so much that I could cry. I popped a pill into my mouth and swallowed it with some water. Aziel then took the ointment and my hand and started massaging it . It hurt a little but it was nothing I couldn’t endure . 

I was also slightly embarrassed and I slowly turned red. I took my hand back from his grasp and told him that I could do it myself. Aziel seemed like he was about to protest but let it go after looking at my face. I quickly massaged my hand and just sat there awkwardly. Aziel suddenly took some crackers out of the paper bag and handed them to me. 

“Eat , you haven’t eaten yet you must be hungry” I was about to reject it but I thought better of it since I had not eaten anything yet and I had a fever on top of it so I took them and started eating them . 

I saw Azeil looking at me so I offered him some but he just said that he had already eaten. I was not really feeling nauseous anymore so it was easier to eat. We just sat there silently while I was eating. After I was finished eating I let out a yawn and Azeil said that I could sleep while he kept watch. 

I didn’t know why but I was reassured by his words. I wanted to decline but I thought better of it so I accepted it. I went to sleep pretty easily and didn’t even have any dreams. It was just endless peaceful darkness.