Cracked Up

Connor

I think I have a fever.

I press my hand against my neck. My hand is then engulfed in heat. I frown and then stand. I walk over to Mrs. Kelly.

"Can I go to the clinic? I think I have a fever."

Mrs. Kelly nods and so I set off to the clinic. When I'm inside, Tess sighs.

"What now?"

"Fever."

She sticks a thermometer in my mouth and then we wait.

"I met someone."

"Who?"

"A teacher. The Physics teacher."

"Mr. Lowry?"

"Yeah. He's great. We went out for drinks last night, and he kissed me."

"Where?"

Tess slaps my arm and then rolls her eyes. "On the mouth, you dirty minded freak."

I let out a small laugh. "Sorry."

The thermometer beeps and Tess takes it from me.

"105. You gotta go home, mister." Tess says, making a tsk sound.

"Eh, I've had worse."

"Because you're a Spaz. You get too anxious and panicked and stressed. You try too hard. It's not good for you."

I sigh. "I know. But I didn't ask to be sick every time I pop out of a spaz."

"Simple. Don't have a spaz."

"You know that's impossible. For me, anyway."

"You're impossible."

"Oh, yeah, like I'm the impossible one."

"Be fair. You are pretty tough to deal with."

"Be fair, she says."

Tess rolls her eyes. "God, what am I going to do with you?"