Sunflowers

-•- Eleven -•-

It's early the next morning when his phone rings. It pulls him from sleep and he answers the phone without checking who it is. He already knows; she has her own ringtone. "Hi Faithy," he greets her, his voice still rough with sleep.

He knows something is off when she doesn't say anything. He can hear her breathing on the other side and then suddenly there's coughing. She gasps and he's sitting up in bed. "Faith? What's wrong?"

"Corbin," she says, her voice shaky and weak. "Can you come over?" She stops for a moment to cough again. "I need you. Something is wrong."

"Of course. I'll be over in a couple minutes. What's going on?"

"I c-can't breathe," she says. "My chest hurts and I think I'm sick. I've thrown up five times since last night."

His heart skips a beat. "Where are your parents?"

"At a convention for Dad's work. They left early this morning."

"Why didn't you tell them you weren't feeling good?"

"I didn't want my dad to miss this convention. It's really important for his business."

"Sweetheart, I guarantee that this convention is not more important than you." He pulls his shirt over his head and leaves on the shorts he slept it. Basketball shorts are fine for now.

"But I know how much his business means to him. I won't let him sacrifice it for me." She breaks into a coughing fit again as she finishes talking. "Hurry," she whispers.

"I am. Try to breathe, okay? I'll be over there as soon as I can." He hangs up the phone and puts it in his pocket.

His mother walks into the room. "Who are you talking to so early?"

He pulls the phone away from his face a little bit. "Faith. She's sick." He slides his feet into his tennis shoes, not bothering with socks. They take too long and he's trying to hurry.

"Oh no, is she going to be okay?"

"I don't know. She doesn't sound too good, and her parents aren't home. She called me and asked me to come over, so that's where I'm going." He walks out of his room and down the stairs. His mother follows.

"Is there anything I can do?" She asks.

He kisses her cheek. "I don't think so. I'll call you if there is."

She smiles at him, though he can see the worry in her eyes. His mother thinks of Faith as family and he knows that she loves her like a daughter. He grabs his keys and runs to his truck, starting the engine as he shuts the door. He drives quickly, gravel flying from how fast his tires are spinning.

He slams on the brakes in front of her house and hurries to the front door. It's locked when he tries to open it and he curses under his breath. He remembers that her mother always leave the back door unlocked and he goes around the side of the house and opens the gate. He goes inside through the back and runs up to Faith's room. "Faith?"

"In here," comes her voice. He walks into her room and sees the light on in her bathroom. She's sitting on the floor, leaning against the bathtub. Her hair is pulled away from her face in a messy ponytail and the flyaways are stuck to her face and neck. Her face is pale and she's sweating. There are purple bags under her eyes and her eyes are dull, having lost their normal shine that's always there.

"Oh God," he murmurs under his breath. His heart hammers in his chest as thoughts crash around in his head. He walks into the bathroom and she looks up at him tiredly. He puts his hand on her forehead and has to pull it back because she's so hot. "Faithy, I think you need a doctor."

She opens her mouth to say something, but she quickly leans forward and throws up instead. She sits back again, breathing harshly. She glances at him before nodding. "That's probably a good idea." She stands up and goes to the sink to brush her teeth. When she's finished, he takes her hand and leads her out to his car.

"Is there anything I can get you before we leave?" He asks. "Anything you need from inside, something to drink...."

She shakes her head. "I don't think so. Is my inhaler still in here?"

He nods. "Yes, it's in the glovebox. Do you need it?"

"Not right now." She leans back against the seat and closes her eyes.