Youth Group Popularity

Chapter 26 - Under The Weather

"Elaine, wake up."

I stirred a little bit before opening my eyes to light-filled room. I looked and saw Parker's face in front of me. He smiled at me and I sat up. I had been laying in his chest this whole time.

"We fell asleep. We have to get to school, we're going to be late," He told me and got up from my bed. "I'll let you get dressed, I have to go run to my house and get ready. I'll only be about ten minutes. I'll drive you to school."

I nodded in agreement an he left immediately. I fell back on my bed when I felt a mixture if nausea and exhaustion come over me. I really hope I'm not sick...

It seemed like seconds as I closed my eyes again, but I was abruptly awaken by Parker's voice, "Elaine! You have to get up."

I groaned and rolled over, covering my face to shield my eyes from the sun. Parker yanked me up by one hand and the nausea came back. My stomach lurched and I shoved him aside, ran into the hallway, and ended up in the bathroom with the door shut, leaning over the toilet.

After most of my guts were regurgitated, I stood up from the toilet and went over to the sink to use my mouthwash. I felt even worse now rather than better. I swished the mouthwash around for 1 minute before spitting it back in the sink.

There was a knock on the door with Parker's voice saying, "Are you alright?"

I opened the door and shook my head as my response. He rose a hand up to my forehead and tilted his head. He stood there for a few more seconds with his hand on my forehead before speaking.

"Do you have a thermometer?" He asked and I reached for the drawer beside me. I pulled out an electric thermometer and took if the plastic cap. I turned it on and stuck it under my tongue. I stared blankly at the wall as we waited for the beep.

The thermometer signaled that it had taken my temperature and I pulled it out of my mouth. I whined whenever I read the three digit number on the small screen.

"102," I told Parker and he gave me a look of sympathy.

"C'mon, let's get you to bed," He said like he was my Dad or something and grabbed my wrist. He began leading me towards my room as I hoped I wouldn't throw up again.

"Will you be back later?" I questioned him as we entered my room.

I sat down on my bed and pulled the covers over me before he answered, "You bet."

He gave me a small kiss on the top of my head and I suddenly became cautious on how my hair smelled. Oh well, I'm sick. He gave me a small wave before exiting the room and shutting the door behind him, the smell of his newly applied cologne lingering around me.

I sighed as I stared up at my ceiling whilst under the warm covers. I grabbed my phone off the nightstand and pressed the button, making the screen light up. For a split second, I thought I saw Danny's name on the screen where I had a message, but it was just Todd. I guess I expected it out of habit, but then I remembered that we're taking a break.

"Hey, Mrs. Dawndra is going to be out of town this weekend. Can you teach the children's class?" The text read.

"Sure, if I'm well by then. I have a fever," I texted back.

A couple of minutes later, my phone buzzed again. "I'm sorry. Hope you feel better :)"

I locked my phone and set it down beside me before laying my head back down on my pillow. My head pounded from the blood rapidly running repeatedly through my temples. Stupid fever. I really hope this is over soon.

* * * *

Danny's POV

I scrolled through my contacts rapidly, looking for my cousin's name as I sat on a bench outside of the library building. I haven't had a chance to talk to him at all since I got back.