The Witch's Ichor

Uneasy Alliance [17]

The electronic beeps and boops of the arcade machines provide an air of nostalgia. Two teens sit across from one another in a booth. The tall boy, Jamison. The short girl, Zoe.

Zoe squints at Jamison's face. He's acting like he's fine, but Zoe can tell something is wrong. Zoe takes another bite of her cotton candy.

What's he hiding from me?

The sound of the nearby door opening catches Zoe's attention. She looks over to see Theo and Derek walking over with sour looks on their faces. Derek looks even more agitated than usual.

"What happened? You guys seem super out of it." Zoe questions.

Jamison's finger taps out a rhythm on the table. He offers a flimsy excuse.

"Oh nothing really important. Let's just eat for now, yeah?" Jamison replies.

Zoe is content to eat more of her cotton candy. Her brown eyes flicker to Theo's face. He's so pale he looks like a ghost, and he's trembling slightly. Zoe shifts her attention to Derek. The beefy boy is grimacing as if in immense pain, but he forces a smile upon noticing Zoe's gaze. She turns back to Jamison and nearly drops her cotton candy.

"You're bleeding!" She yelps.

Jamison's eyes widen as he realizes he's been caught with blood trickling from his nose. Zoe immediately reaches over with a napkin to wipe off the blood, but she can't reach. Derek and Theo give Jamison a death glare as Zoe leans over the table. Jamison wisely takes the hint and stops Zoe from helping him as she attempts to get closer.

"I-I got it, don't worry." Jamison insists.

"But you're bleeding! Let me help!" Zoe complains.

Jamison uses a napkin to wipe his nose before gently putting pressure on it. Zoe pouts up at Jamison like he's just committed a grave offense. The looks Derek and Theo give Jamison ensure he doesn't waver. Jamison carefully removes the napkin to reveal his unbloodied nose.

"All good now, see?" Jamison replies.

Zoe sighs, nodding her head in agreement.

"Well at least it stopped bleeding... Did you hit your head or something?" Zoe questions.

Jamison gives Derek and Theo a panicked glance.

"I-I uh... I just tripped and smacked my nose on a dumpster out back." Jamison lies.

Derek and Theo give him a thumbs up. Zoe glances at them, so they immediately pretend they weren't doing anything out of the ordinary. Their 'not doing anything' faces are ironically highly conspicuous.

What's up with these dorks?
I've never seen them all so nervous.

"That's pretty clumsy of you... Usually you're so nimble!" Zoe remarks.

Jamison is sweating bullets. He swallows the lump in his throat, and tries to act like everything is fine. That's when Theo's head hits the table. The sound of him falling face first onto the table startles the whole crew, and Zoe squeals in shock.

"Oh my god, did he just pass out?!" Zoe squeals.

Derek and Jamison exchange a panicked look as Zoe pulls the unconscious Theo up in his seat. Her small hands gently check his pulse. He's burning up terribly, so she pushes her cold unopened sprite to his forehead. Zoe's hands slips over his as she tries to comfort her weakest friend.

"Z-Zoe maybe you should... Ah..." Derek stammers.

"He passed out!" Zoe defends her actions.

Theo's eyelids flutter as he comes to. He feels the cold can on his forehead and a soft hand holding his. The first thing Theo sees as he opens his eyes is Jamison's accusatory glare. The gentle sensation of Zoe's hand in his is almost enough to convince him to ignore Jamison. Almost.