27

Tuesday.

Never did I expect myself to arrive at the school earlier than usual.

While the skies were barely brightening itself up, thin streams of clouds quickly strewn out of the way to welcome the rising sun. The wind leapt noisily through the trees, fallen leaves and my hair as I locked my bicycle's wheels in place. Considering the time, the bike racks sat barren; and with countless spots to choose from, obviously I got to the most accessible one.

Regardless, my best friend was still crowned the early riser—alongside Edward—apart from what happened last week. There, she stood by the entrance with our childhood friend keeping her company, although they drowned themselves on their phones rather than sharing any sorts of interactions.

Edward was... well, even 'beyond fatigued' was an understatement. With his face deadly pale as a ghost, it seemed like the sagging bag underneath his eye intensified. He was definitely on the verge of losing his momentum and toppling to the ground.

"Oh Rena, you're super early today!" Aly exclaimed, waving hand in front of me.

"Oh... um, yeah!" I acknowledged, but my attention could not take itself away from Edward. He bobbed in my direction, but as he stepped forward, his feet tripped over the jutting of the pavement. Almost I kept myself on guard, ready to catch his body, but his reflex had kicked in to regain his balance.

"Edward... for the third time, get your ass back home. You're dying, man." Aly huffed, "You're eventually gonna lose it—"

"I'm fine, I'm fine," He grunted and waved the back of his hand, dismissing her concern, "This is nothing... I'm used to it."

"Well, I beg to differ."

Edward gripped his jaw while glowering at Adelynn, who had her hands on her hips. Even though he quickly masked himself with his poker face, his efforts were proven futile. He flinched when his friend marched towards him, forcing him to stumble backwards until his back pressed against the wall. He further stiffened when Adelynn's gaze traveled up and down, as if she examined him in a meticulous manner.

"Let me guess. Working overtime again? Staying up all night?" asked Adelynn as she raised her brow.

Edward's bangs covered his eye as he looked away.

She groaned loudly and placed her hand on her face. "Oh Ed... you really never learn your lesson, do you? I know you loved your job but at least get your sleeping and school schedule sorted out too." She stressed out. "God, you keep complaining your father is a mad workaholic, but here you are."

She was not wrong. Even a couple of years ago, his dad was barely in the picture during all of our hangouts. "Dad's always so busy. He's never free. He's still awesome though!" That's what Edward had said to me.

"I know, I know, you don't have to tell me," he snapped, lightly shoving her off him, "It's just that I lost track of time, that's all."

"Always your excuses, huh?" Adelynn retorted. And not even a second later, she was practically blasting Edward of how precious breaks were and emphasized on his health. However, her lectures seemed to flow in and then out of his ears as he continued rolling his eye and shaking his head, but that did not stop her criticism from stabbing him on all sides.

"Wow... that's some... scolding going on there," Aly murmured, grimacing. "Lynn is such a mom. Reminds me of when she chewed out on him and I when we were playing in the streets." She scratched her head and stuck out her tongue.

I mean, that was understandable. Not only could there be speeding cars, but they literally crossed during red lights!

Regardless, I couldn't help but to secure my upturned lips. Ever since I reconciled with Edward, I could observe more of his relationship with his other friends, and honestly... there were not many changes. Adelynn was still the overly concerned mother scolding her disobedient son.

...but I just hope he's alright.

***

"Hah... hah..."

Yeah, I would love to take my words back.

Edward's power slowly withered as classes progressed; obviously, all of those long lectures and assignments took such a significant toll on him. Moreover, he was further dragged by the physics teacher—a last resort since no one bothered volunteering on showing their methods on the board.

His cheeks were bright red; like blood rushing towards his skin and taking over his complexion. His shallow breaths grew louder and the way he staggered throughout the hallway. As he was tidying up his locker, Edward suddenly clenched his head, groaning silently and gritting his teeth.

"Yup, I have seen enough." Adelynn announced and snatched his elbow, "You're going to the infirmary and stay there whether you like it or not. Stop acting so stubborn when you know you're gonna pass out."

"H-He passed out?" I managed to squeak out.

"I wouldn't say passed out... more like collapsing in the middle of the class," Seb was the one answering me instead of Adelynn as he breathed out a sigh. "You know his condition. Dude gets easily sick but acts all fine and tough."

"R-Right..." I nodded. During seasonal changes, more often than not, Edward was absent from his classes. We found out he either caught a cold or was bedridden with fever, but he would simply dismiss it and claim he was all good and healthy.

Without warning, Edward ultimately lost his footing—this time his reflex refused to help. However, before his face met with the ground, Seb blocked his friend's tumble with his shoulders. A bead of sweat trickled down his face while he panted and grunted. "I'm fine, seriously, I'm just tired..."

"You're definitely convincing everyone, alright? Just follow us," Adelynn remarked, swinging his right arm over her shoulders, while Seb was in charge of the other arm. "Let's get him to the infirmary, Rena," she further instructed, and with no ounce of hesitation, I supported Adelynn in balancing Edward back to his feet.

A few heads have turned towards the whole ordeal, relaying some stupid gossip of Edward they thought we wouldn't hear to their friends. Fortunately, throughout our way to the school clinic, the group grew as Aly and Mark hopped in, and a few minutes later Florence joined, although she pursued behind Seb, throwing all sorts of questions.

We stood still at the edge of the room while the nurse ushered Edward to lay on the bed. He dangled his arm over his face—which really looked like it was about to erupt—as the nurse gingerly inserted a thermometer into his ear. Even from here, I could pick up the way he noisily breathed through his lips.

"My head... it's exploding," he moaned and my heart ached.

"100.4," The nurse proclaimed as she removed the thermometer. "Looks like you're having another high fever, Edward. Did you sleep well last night?"

"I..." his voice trailed off when Adelynn folded her arms and shook her head. Did not.

"Edward, remember you have a weakened immune system. Your body is not as strong as you think. Don't force yourself to work when you're not feeling well," the nurse informed, before she headed for the medicine cabinet and gave him some pills. "Okay, I'll give you some Tylenol, but you need to go back home and rest, alright? I'll inform the school and your parents."

Edward kept himself low, his chapped lips quivering as he ogled down at the pill. The moment he started massaging his temples again, I propelled myself to fill up a cup with water and lent it to him to gulp down with his medicine. Drawing his attention towards me, he stared momentarily, as if he was taken aback, before murmuring, "Thank you."

My senses prickled at his touch as he received the water, which sent butterflies fluttering all over my insides. It might be something so insignificant, but it was a moment I longed to treasure. It just feels so good helping him out.

Returning to the group, they each had their respective responses. Both Aly and Mark patted my back and wiggled their brows—much to my relief, they were not as blatant, unlike those two particular friends of mine. While Adelynn's small smile and Seb's chuckles followed suit. Meanwhile, both of Florence's brows shot up as she pumped her fist upon her hand.

"Oh, I get it now, so you have a c—"

Before she could spill anymore, Seb narrowed his eyes and promptly clamped her mouth, then shushed her down. Despite this, he managed to cast a smile and beckoned his head towards Edward, who slumped himself back to the mattress once he swallowed and drank his medicine.

"See? This is what happens if you don't listen to me..." Adelynn complained. "Jesus, do you know how hard it is to break through your thick head?"

Fortunately, he never retaliated. Granted, he did not have enough energy to do so, and silently admitted his defeat. He needs to realize he has limits too.

Aly and Seb approached him in unison, that they were close in proximity to each other. She jerked her arm and shot daggers at him, but he remained totally unfazed, ignoring all of her stunts at once. I just got to thank the heavens they're not bickering this time.

"Just get some sleep and make sure to drink a lot of water," Adelynn instructed. "Don't worry, Seb will inform the team you won't be joining their practice today."

"U-Um, I'll also get the assignments and notes for you so y-you wouldn't miss anything," I blurted out, seizing yet another opportunity to help him out.

Aly and Adelynn firstly glanced at each other, before my best friend silently passed me both a simper and a thumbs-up while Adelynn hummed, probably with approval.

Well, as long as they did not make it too obvious for the entire world—especially Edward—to watch, I didn't mind them. Besides, the fact that those two were already having casual conversations and giggling as they cracked up some jokes, filled me with contentment. The amount of progress we made over the course of the week surely raised my spirits.

We're getting there.

***

Edward had gone home.

Escorting him—while he protested about his throbbing head—out to the curb outside of the school, his mother hopped out from the car and rushed towards her son in a split second. It had been a couple of years since I last saw her, but she still had the same iconic cowlick—Edward would often snicker and make fun of it—jutting out of her head as well as the exact chin-length raven hair with curls on its ends.

"Thank you everyone! Gosh, I'm so sorry about all the trouble. I already told him to stay back home but he refused to," she informed as she slightly bobbed her head to each of us. With a heavy breath, she hoisted her sick son and slowly led him to the passenger seat. Before they sped off, she thanked us for the last time and raised her arm.

And so, the rest of the school zoomed through without any more troubles, although in Edward's absence, everyone parted ways to their regular routine. Seb and Adelynn grouped with their respective teams for practice, Florence resumed her duties at the library, while Aly, Mark and I settled ourselves with Naomi and Sam. I could have asked them to sit with us, but... anxiety grabbed hold of my throat and belittled me inside out.

Damn it. I should have fought it off. What am I even doing?

Regardless, Mark and I managed to discuss with Florence about the biology project, as she had provided useful pointers and references. However, Florence... felt like she was so distant; she barely made any eye contact and it looked as though she forced herself to talk to me.

Maybe my stuttering as I tried to converse with her was getting on her nerves. I could not blame her though. I was even fed up with it. No matter what I did, it was always on the way.

Somehow, I managed to shove all of those thoughts off me by focusing on the rest of my classes—well, tried to—and jotting down all the important notes. I also decided to take some extra handouts for Edward as well.

"I didn't know what the hell we were just taught about," Aly complained as we exited our last class for the day, her voice was raspy and heavy with dread. "And we're gonna have an exam on it soon... sheesh, this sucks... this really sucks... Why can't we just have a fall break or something?"

"I feel you... b-but I think I kinda understand. I'll try to help you out when we're studying together," I suggested, and at that very same moment, colors circulated back to her expression as a grin gradually manifested. She proceeded to grab hold of my hands and shake them rather vigorously.

"Thank you so much, girl! God, not only are you diligent, but you're such a lifesaver..." Aly commended me as she wiped her eyes, I could only chuckle in response. She can act so cute sometimes.

"By the way, I'm so happy you and Edward have been getting closer than ever. Looks like he's starting to warm up..." She paused midway. "Well, technically... but also literally too. Gosh, that dude's still the same person who can't just admit he's sick!"

"Yeah, it's really good to see." I gulped the lump on my throat. Maybe not closer than ever, but pretty good enough for him to initiate a small talk and convey his thoughts and whatnot. There were still more ways to go; and what was worse, I couldn't even have the gall to address that one question at all. Why do you wanna be friends with me?

"Guess all of the talking I did got through to him," breathed Aly as she placed her arms behind her and twitched a corner of her lips.

"Talking?" I tilted my head.

"Ah, Aly, Rena, there you are!"

A call from the distance had us stopping in our tracks and concurrently glancing over our shoulders, and there was Adelynn. She effortlessly dodged and sidestepped through the crowd with rather long strides as she approached us.

"Oh Lynn, what's up?" Aly asked.

She clenched her chest as deep breaths slipped out of her, "Do you have anything to do after this?"

"Nah, Rena and I are just about to get home."

"Perfect. Let's go hang out somewhere. I have something to discuss," she asserted.