Chapter 15 — Should've stayed at home

Jane's POV:

I woke up in the morning from a terrible cough. I felt like I was choking.

I snuffled my runny nose and reached for the tissue box next to me.

Uggh....damn my weak body. I knew I was catching a cold from all the plating I did in the water yesterday but I don't regret it one bit, it was all worth it.

I looked at the clock to find it was still 6 a.m. It's still too early for me to get ready for school.

With another sniff, I wrapped my blanket around my shoulders, grabbed my tissue box and started heading towards the kitchen.

I turned the stove on for some water to boil as I placed a camomile bag in a mug with some honey.

Sneezing three times, I waited for the water to boil then poured it in the mug and started heading back to my room.

I sneezed again as I placed the mug on my nightstand. I groaned in pain as my head throbbed and lay on the bed to relax my aching muscles.

I don't want to go to school, but I wanna see Luca. Uggh!

I finish drinking my camomile, sneezing and coughing every now and then.

I placed the now empty mug back on the nightstand and laid my head back on my pillow. My eyes started to close gradually and to tell you the truth, I was too tired to resist it. Soon, I was drifting off to sleep.

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My eyes started opening my eyes slightly as my alarm blared. With a weak frustrated groan, I slapped my hands on it, shutting it down. I was feeling better than before I slept but my body was still weak and my nose was still runny.

I collected whatever energy I had in me and headed towards the bathroom to get ready. I coughed several times inside the bathroom and all through my getting ready.

I decided to wear some extra heavy clothes today to kept me warm. I wore a wool turtle neck with a winter jacket on top of it. I wore some washed jeans that I had and my boots.

Another sneeze left my body as I made my way towards the kitchen.

"Oh my god Jane! You caught a cold?!" My mother gasped when her eyes landed on me. You can't blame her though. My eyes were blood red and so was my nose. My face flushed and my eyes had tired bags under them.

"Mmm." I nodded in reply. I was too tired to speak.

"You should skip school today otherwise it might worsen." My mother suggested with a sigh.

I shook my head vigorously. "No, no. I'm fine I promise. I'll just drink some camomile and take a panadol or something." I rushed out.

School was my only chance I get to see Luca. Even though we don't hang out at school but it was still better than nothing.

"Are you sure Jane?" My head snapped to my father who was leaning by the kitchen's doorway. He must've heard our conversation.

I nodded assuringly as I proceeded to make me some camomile. My mother's hand held mine as I reached for the camomile bags to put in my mug.

"I'll do it. You go sit down for a bit." She said sweetly as a gentle smile graced her lips. I smiled gratefully at my mother and went to sit on the chair next to my father.

My mother finished pouring the hot water in my mug and mix in a spoon of honey before putting it in front of me.

"Thank you." I said with a sniff then proceeded to drink it.

I finished my drink and was out of the house, making my way to school. My glazed over eyes made it a bit hard to concentrate on the road but I still managed.

I should be listened to my mom and stayed in bed. But I want to see Luca.

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The ringing of the bell didn't help with the pounding in my head. With furrowed eyebrows, I made my way to history.

I scanned the classroom in search of Luca but to no avail. With a sigh, I sat down in the far corner and closed my eyes, trying to silence the noises around me.

I felt something fall on my lap as someone brushed past me and sat on the seat next to me.

I squinted my teary eyes as I looked down at the folded paper. Opening it, I noticed that it was a note from Luca.

'Are you okay?'

I got out a pen and wrote down my reply.

'Good morning to you too Luca and yes, I'm fine.'

I looked around to see if anyone was looking before I threw the paperback to Luca, offering him a small smile.

He opened the paper and a small chuckle escaped his lips.

'Morning baby ;) oh, and you don't look so fine. Your face gives you away.'

His reply made my scrunch up my face. I didn't want him to worry about unnecessary things.

'I promise Luca, I'm fine.' I replied and threw the paper back to him.

'Answer the following question truthfully:

What are the symptoms?

A) Runny nose B) Headache C) Fever D) All of the above E) You missed me so much your body couldn't handle it ;)

I tried so hard to contain my laughter at his childish ways, especially at that last choice.

'I choose F) None of the above :p'

Looking around me quickly, I the paper back. With my peripheral vision, I saw Luca frown at the paper, obviously not satisfied with my answer.

'Answer me seriously now Janey.' Luca ordered into the paper.

With a sigh I answered his truthfully.

'D) All of the above.'

Luca looked at me with furrowed eyebrows and what seemed to be a worried expression.

'You should go home and rest.'

'But I'm okay. I don't need to go home.' I whined and threw the paper back to him.

Luca scribbled down his reply but didn't get the chance to throw the paper back to me as someone's squeaky voice made us both tense in place.

"Luca!" Sarah yelled too enthusiastically to my liking and I felt my inner beast growl inside of me.

Sarah skipped to Luca's side and I noticed him quickly tuck the paper in his pocket.

Sarah glared dangerously at me as she hugged Luca from the side and kissed his cheek, purposely to piss me off. She smirked my way as she pulled back slightly. If I thought that my beast was at bay, I sure had no chance of containing it right now.

"Get back to your seats everyone." My head snapped towards our history teacher that walked in looking like a mess as he carried way too many papers in his hands.

Ever one shuffled back to their seats and looking next to me, I saw Sarah occupying the seat next to Luca from the opposite side so he was now sitting in between us. Ever since Sarah made an appearance, Luca didn't dare glance my way and it kinda saddened me but I knew that he had no choice.

"Get out a pen people, you're having a pop quiz." The teacher announced earning a series of groans and objections.

"Hurry up. You've got only ten minutes to finish it." He demanded, leaving no other choice for us. The papers were passed and we all soon began solving the questions.

Looking at the paper, my eyes teared up more and I felt my headache intensify. Why did we have to have and pop quiz today of all times?!

I tried reading the questions but I just couldn't get myself to concentrate no matter what. In the end, I just answered whatever I could with whichever energy I had.

"Time's up. Line up next to your seats and come forward to give me your papers."

I placed my pen on my desk and stood up next to my seat. My heart flipped inside my ribcage when Luca stood next to his seat too, but on my side not Sarah's.

I felt his hand sneak into mine and soon, my tiny hands were engulfed in his big ones. I felt heat radiate from where we touched and my heartbeat frantically from both the closeness and from the fear that someone would see.

"If you've handed in your quiz you can leave. I'm too sick to teach you teenagers." The teacher muttered which earned him loud hoots and yelling.

The line shortened and we took a step to the front. Luca and I's arms were brushing against each other and I felt my fever reach its peak. I'm surprised I'm still on my feet.

On cue, the world spun around me and I was about to trip over my own feet when a pair of strong arms help balance me.

I looked up at Luca to see him looking at me with concern and worry. I gave him a small smile and steadied myself.

My eyes caught Sarah's who was glaring at me, her fists clenched together. I quickly diverted my gaze away.

We finished handing the papers over and my body instantly felt cold when Luca pulled his hand away.

With a sigh followed by a long series of hurtful coughs, I made my way to my locker.

I opened it for it to be slammed back shut, missing my hand by mere inches.

Looking beside me, I saw Sarah standing there glaring at me.

"What's going on between you and my fiancée?" She sneered at me, her loud voice making me wince from the ache in my head.

"He's not your fiancée." I retorted back which made her fume even more. I could imagine the smoke coming out of her red ears.

"You get your filthy, beggar hands off of him you hear me." Sarah's threat did really penetrative through my head as I felt my vision blur and my head spinning.

"Oh stop acting like a damsel in distress." Sarah pat when I struggled to stand on my feet and leaned on the locker for support.

I really should've stayed at home.

I decided to try and reach the infirmary, hoping the doctor there would give me some medication. I staggered away from the fuming Sarah and tried to drag my body which felt like a mountain down the hall. I was starting to see dots and I couldn't make sense of anything around me.

I couldn't fully take a couple of steps before my feet gave up on me and I felt my heavy body lose all control and fall towards the floor.

I heard someone calling my name from the distance but the ringing in my ears and my half-closed eyes made it hard to comprehend anything.

It all happened in slow motion as my body fell with gravity. I eyes shut fully and I embraced myself for the fall but instead fell onto something soft and before I could know what it is, I was sucked into the darkness.