Invisible

Chapter 04: Isolation

Teen fumbled for their phone. The late-January wind howled outside, announcing another bitter morning. It's 4:32am. That was odd. Teen never woke up this early.

As Teen decided to get up for some water, they realized why they were up so early. As soon as they sat up, their head pounded, and their body shivered underneath their dry, hot skin. Teen staggered into the kitchen, opened the tap, and gulped down the water. It seemed to help numb their throat, which Teen didn't realize was painful up until that moment. But as the cold water travelled down their body, they gave in to another violent shiver.

Teen dug out the thermometre from the kitchen cabinet again, and was not surprised when the screen turned bright red with the number 38.3 glaring at them. Half of Year 8 were currently off with this thing, and the other were still coughing and sniffling after being off for at least a whole week. Even the teachers were coughing and sniffling and taking time off, something compounded by covid isolation guidelines. Mrs Li and Miss Heaman were both out for 2 days last week, leaving the 30 13-year-olds to a pair of helpless supply staff (Ok, only 17 were in, but still). Teen grimaced as they remembered the chaos. Alas, even though they never got ill, they supposed their immune system had to admit defeat at some point.

Teen slowly shuffled back to their bed, tucking the thermometer securely under their pillow. They then stared at the ceiling, weighing their options. They knew the isolation policy well - not a single day went by without a member of staff reminding students that if they felt unwell, they needed to stay home until 5 days after a positive COVID test or their symptoms significantly improved. Everybody still wore masks, but they didn't seem to prevent this virus from spreading like wildfire. All things considered, Teen was impressed by their own immune system for holding it out for so long. Still, it didn't solve the problem of school attendance. Teen could, in theory, wake up Mum and Dad and tell them they were poorly. In fact, they should probably wake them up. But for some reason, Teen's body refused to cooperate. Just staying home was not an option - Dad was working from home still, and he would freak out when he inevitably saw Teen at home. Besides, the whole point of waking Mum and Dad was so they could call the school so Teen didn't end up with truancy on their record. The only way to sort this, Teen concluded, was to go to school, and then get sent home. They could pretend to not know they were poorly, most people had already had it anyway so it wasn't like they could give it to someone else, and the teachers would deal with Mum and Dad for them. It was a win-win-win.

Decision made, Teen attempted to doze off for a bit. Their body would need the extra rest given their cunning plan. However, with the headache and the heat, Teen could not fall asleep. They ended up staring at the ceiling while listening to the sound of dawn. Dad got up first, as usual, and started his morning routine listening to a podcast in the shower about how COVID was a biological weapon released by the Chinese government. Mum then got up, made some noodles for Teen, and went to work. Mum had recently been promoted to EAL lead in her school, and ran breakfast club every day on top of her usual responsibilities. Teen rarely saw her these days, especially as they started riding their bike to and from school since starting Year 8.

Their alarm chimed at 7:30am and Teen allowed themselves a moment to change their mind - and their mind was stubborn. Soon, Teen dragged themselves up from bed and put on 2 jumpers, ate a few bites of the noodles before putting the rest in the bin (carefully covering the food with last night's takeaway boxes), and took their temperature one last time. 38.6. Not good, but also not too bad. They sorted their bag and hesitated. A moment of clear-headedness gave them enough wisdom to leave the bike and take some change from the jar for the bus. Riding a bike to school when they felt like this was just plain stupid.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Mrs Li was fussing over the register when Teen arrived. With the current illness going around, she was extra vigilant to keep track of every child, when they arrived, how they looked, and, if they didn't arrive on time, if the parents had called in for their child's absence. One look at Teen and Mrs Li knew they were to be sent home. She proceeded to stand up, but Miss Heaman was already on her way to the door and gave her a silent nod.

Miss Heaman stopped Teen just as they proceeded to sit down. "Let's chat outside," she whispered to Teen, grabbing a chair from the first row and setting it just outside the classroom door. "Sit down, it's ok."

Teen just stared blankly at the wall.

"You're ill," said Miss Heaman. There was no need to beat around the bushes.

Teen nodded.

"Symptoms?"

"Headache, sore throat..." Teen trailed off just in time to stop themselves from mentioning the temperature, "Just started feeling it on my way in," they lied casually.

Miss Heaman was not convinced, but did not press. She told Teen to sit tight and keep their mask on. "Try not to breathe on anyone," she gave Teen a wink, at which Teen smiled weakly. She then hurried off to the Pastoral Hub.

"Need the gun," Miss Heaman announced as soon as she entered the room, "Another one down."

"This early?" Frowned Mrs Gallanger, the Pastoral Lead and Student Welfare Officer.

"Probably woke up with it," sighed Miss Heaman, "I just don't get why parents keep sending them in, like the nursery. They know full well they'll have to pick them up an hour later, tops. John, you coming?"

Mr John Nicols, Head of Year 8, is putting on their coat. They then grabbed the thermometer from the medical basket - normally locked in a closet but now just left in the open due to the number of students getting sent home each day - and walked out with Miss Heaman.

"Some parents need a ring from school to be allowed off work," Mr Nicols shared Miss Heaman's sign, "Makes no sense under the current... situation. But people seem very stuck in the old ways."

Mr Nicols spotted Teen's frail frame sat by the classroom door, a distant, exhausted look in their eyes.

"Feeling rough, are we?" asked Mr Nicols.

"Yes, sir," whispered Teen, anxiously adjusting their uniform.

"Let's take a look then," Mr Nicols aimed the thermometer at Teen's forehead, "38.6. Yup, you're going home."

Teen nodded. The confirmed illness seemed to be the ticket they needed to relax and stop pretending. Poor kid, obviously not well enough to be here and still trying their best to be respectful.

"I'll grab your stuff," said Miss Heaman, "You stay here and... try not to infect anyone." She gave Teen another wink which scored her another smile.

Mr Nicols showed Teen to the counselling room - now a designated isolation room for students who are poorly at school. "Use the sofa," he said, "I'll ring your Mum and Dad."

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The journey home was not as terrifying as Teen expected. Dad was mostly quiet, though his occasional sign made it clear that Teen's illness had become the nuisance of his day. Teen went straight to bed as soon as they got home, and thanked Dad for putting a glass of boiling water on their nightstand. They were relieved to be left alone to try and sleep it off.

Teen woke up just before noon with a temp of 39.1 and could not fall asleep anymore. Dad made some porridge and forced it down Teen's throat despite their protests of not being hungry. Teen spent the rest of the afternoon staring at the ceiling feeling uncomfortably toasty. They could hear Dad alternate between business meetings and playing YouTube videos on how COVID was an artificial mind-control scheme created by the western world leaders.

Mum actually came home early. 7pm instead of the usual 9 to 10pm. She felt Teen's forehead and frowned. "Why have you got to worry me like this?"

"Sorry Mum," Teen murmured, debating between loosening their duvet a little and brace the shivers or pulling it tighter and get more toasty. At least Mum didn't force them to eat, and even dug out some instant TCM herbal tea to help cure Teen faster.

EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE

The herbal tea seemed to have worked its magic, as Teen woke up the next morning feeling tired but ok. Mum came in to feel their forehead before heading to work. "All cooled down now," she smiled, "Think you can manage school today?"

Teen nodded.

"Just tell your teachers you feel much better," advised Mum, "That's what "symptoms significantly improve" means. If you feel well enough, there's no reason keeping you home."