Time Stands Still

Chapter 7

When I woke up on Monday morning, I had a bit of a headache, but I took some painkillers and tried to ignore it. I went to school and by the time lunch came around, I was starting to feel like crap. Brent picked me up for lunch and I tried to hide the fact that I wasn’t feeling good, but of course he noticed right away.

            “You okay baby? You seem a little off,” he said as he brought the truck to a stop in front of the school.

            I shrugged. “I have a bit of a headache, that’s all. I’m sure it’ll pass.” I didn’t tell him that my whole body was starting to ache, knowing it would just cause him to worry.

            Brent frowned, but nodded. “If it gets worse, let me know, okay?”

            I shivered as a chill went through me and offered him a weak smile. “I will,” I assured him.

            He pulled his hoodie off over his head and handed it to me. “Here, this will help keep you warm.”

            I smiled gratefully and pulled it on, pushing the sleeves up as much as I could so that my hands could stick out. “I’ll see you in a couple of hours.” I kissed him lightly and then climbed out of the truck.

            I suffered through third period, but when I got to History, I was so stiff that I could barely move and my head was pounding ferociously. Mandy took one look at me and then backed away a couple of steps. “You don’t look so good.”

            “I don’t feel so good,” I whispered. My throat was starting to hurt now as well, just to top things off.

            “Maybe you should go home. I don’t want to get sick from you.”

            I closed my eyes and let out a breath. “Maybe you’re right.” Opening my eyes again, I approached the teacher. “Sir, I don’t feel so good. Do you think I could go to the nurse’s office?”

            He looked up at me and his eyes widened a little which made me think that I might not look that great. “By all means, go ahead. You don’t look too good.”

            “So I’ve been told,” I muttered before trudging out of the room and heading to the nurse’s office. On the way, I used the connection to contact Brent. “Brent?”

            It only took him a second to reply. “Yeah baby?”           

            “I’m not feeling too good. Do you think you could come get me from school?”

            “Of course, I’ll be there in five minutes. Where are you?”

            “I’ll be in the nurses office.”

            “Okay, I’ll be there soon.”

            I reached the nurses office and walked in. The nurse took one look at me and immediately started to fuss. “Oh you poor thing. Come and lie down. Is there someone I can call to come get you?”

            I shook my head as I curled up on the cot. “No, someone is on their way already to get me. He’ll be here in a couple of minutes.”

            “Okay dear, you just rest. How long have you been feeling sick?”

            “I started getting a headache this morning, but it’s a lot worse now. Every part of me hurts and my throat is starting to get sore.”