First Light

68 dark curls

Friday 3rd of June 2022 (the following week)

Faye:

I don't feel good at all. My room seems to be endlessly spinning, even with me lying down, and I squeeze my eyes shut, hoping it will pass soon. Then it is suddenly very hot, and I stand up too fast, wanting to open the window because why is it that it's getting difficult to breathe? I'm feeling very claustrophobic and my forehead is already sweating.

I just need to open the window to let the evening breeze in, but why is it that I can't? I am very weak, like there's not an ounce of strength in me, and it is not helping that my standing up too fast has created even more dizziness that has decided to pair itself with a pounding inside my head. I keel over suddenly, my hand gripping the window sill, because oh god, am I going to throw up? Please don't throw up.

I stay there for a few seconds, feeling my body sway and I know if I let go of the sill I am sure to fall over. I try to focus on my breathing, attempt to slow it down. This seems to work, at least mostly, so I am able to stand up again, and when I go to reach for the handle to open the window, my arm lets me. I almost sigh with relief as the cold wind hits my face.

But I can't stand up for much longer because I am still incredibly dizzy, as if I'm going to faint, so I lie back onto my bed and shut my eyes in an attempt to sleep.

+

Marlo:

I text Faye again as I wait for Jonah to tie the laces on his shoes. I had asked her earlier today if she wanted to go to a party with me and the group, but she had warned me she'd started to feel sick, and that she would let me know later if she was feeling better or worse. She hadn't updated me since then, and when I call her she doesn't pick up.

"Is Faye coming?" Jonah asks me once he stands up, looking down at my phone.

"I'm not sure. She might meet us there." I reply.

We meet with Mikel and Georgina on the way, and I take this opportunity to ask about Faye.

"I knocked on her door but she didn't answer. I think she must've been sleeping when I left." She says.

"Yeah, I don't think she feels very good. She said earlier she might be coming down with something." I answer.

When we arrive at the party, I exchange looks with Jonah at the amount of people here. I don't think I've ever seen so many people in one small place. It is making me a bit claustrophobic.

There is a queue for the bar, and when I reach the front I have to practically shout at the bartender to order a drink. I would be surprised if by the time I leave my hearing isn't greatly impaired. This is definitely not helping with the aging process.

As I go to check the time on my phone, I see a text message from Faye 12 minutes ago. The music is so loud there's no wonder I didn't hear the notification.

"She says she's sick," I yell to the group, pointing at my phone as if they can read the name on it with how not-still I'm holding it.

"Who? Faye?" Georgina shouts back, squinting.

I nod for confirmation. "I'll go and check on her, get her to eat some soup or something. I'll be back."