The Answer Lies in the Truth

Chapter 4

When I get to school Michael was at the threshold of the school building. He was listening to music and jammin', it's kinda funny to watch him actually. When he opened his eyes and saw me he smiled. It's sometimes comforting to know that he only smiles like that for me.

"Jeremy! How's it hangin'!" He paused and took off his headphones. "You look like ass." I sighed.

"I didn't sleep." I said, he gave me a look of sympathy.

"How late-"

"I went to bed early! I just...couldn't sleep." I said quickly, he gave me a dubious look, but didn't say anything as we entered the school.

Michael and I walked over to Christine and the little group we came to know over the course of last year.

"Jer, did you hear what happened to Jenna Rolan?" Chloe said as soon as I joined the group.

"Uh...no?" I said looking around at the grave faces.

"She didn't come to school today and won't answer any of our texts." Brooke said.

"So," Michael said, "maybe she's sick?"

"I don't think so man, she always answers he phone." Jake said.

"I remember one day that she was sick, and she told the whole school I burned down Jakes house...in one day...when she was sick." Rich said in a slightly panicked slightly annoyed tone.

"Yah, even if she was sleeping she always answers back!" Christine said panic stricken and dramatic.

"How about we all calm down and wait a day?" I said. Everyone looked at me. "I saw her yesterday. She was in the janitors closet crying. Now I don't know what it was about, but she wanted to be alone. I don't know if it's family drama, a personal vendetta, or maybe she got pregnant, but we should all just calm down. Freaking out will not solve anything."

Everyone looked around and relaxed a bit. They all looked a bit awed at my speech. I was a little awed at my speech. Where did that come from? "Dang Jer, well put," Chloe said.

I nodded and Rich smiled wildly. "So who's coming to my Valentine party? It's in three weeks!"

"No offense Rich, but last time I was at a party the house burned down." Christine said laughing. Rich gave a sour face as everyone joked.

"Fine, you guys are just going to miss the best party of the year!" Rich said defensively.

It was then that Jake put an arm around Rich. "Don't worry, I'll be keeping him distracted so you guys can have a good time." So they were together then. The group smiled at the cute picture.

Then I don't remember much of what happened. They all started chattering away about the party. I felt a little light headed. "I have a headache..." I said. No one really noticed except for Michael.

"Do you need help or..." He asked looking me over.

"No, I'll be fine. You just enjoy yourself." He shook his head, but turned back to the group anyway as I waddled to the bathroom like a wounded penguin.

The bell rang while I was sitting in the bathroom composing myself. Heh, Jeremy in the bathroom. This was pathetic. I didn't even need a Squip to tell me that.

At lunch today Michael had to stay in his classroom for lunch detention. He got in trouble for listening to music before class, but I think the teacher just hates him because he's not popular enough to get away with anything.

So I sat with Brooke and Chloe. They were gossiping, as usual, about some kid who fell out of a tree and broke his arm. I didn't really care. I was falling asleep. "Hay Jer, you really don't look so hot." Brooke commented. I yawned and nodded.

"Sooory" I said through my yawn. Chloe rolled her eyes and ignored me. Every once and a while Brooke would look at me concerned.

The lunch bell rang and Brooke told Chloe to get to class without her. She was going to take me to the nurses. I was too tired to protest.

She lectured me he whole way there about the importance of drinking water and sleeping to live a healthy lifestyle. I think she just read it in one of those girly health magazines. (Not that I go out of my way to read them, but if they just happen to be in the bathroom at my moms and I'm bored while taking a dump...)

The nurse checked me out and I'm pretty sure she had no idea what she was doing. She did that reflex test on my knee and checked my heart. I thought she was just suppose to check my temperature?

The lady at the front desk didn't say anything. She was on the phone with someone. I sat in a seat across from her awkwardly until she looked at me and told me I could go. I walked home.

I when got sent home early my dad was home. He was really worried. "Jeremy, what happened, are you alright?" He said checking my forehead. "You're a little warm. I'll get some medicine, go upstairs and rest." I didn't want to do that, but I did anyway.

I was almost asleep when my Dad came in with a bottle and a spoon. I didn't see what he gave me, but it tasted bitter. He handed me a bottle of red stuff and I drank that too. He covered me in blankets and sat in a chair beside me. He fell asleep really fast. I guess he was as tired as I was.

I fell asleep.

Jeremy,
Sweet dreams, and get well soon.
Red