Didn't Even Notice {JJBA Avpol}

CHAPTER FOUR

Feeling more groggy than before I sat up. My head still pounded and I could feel my nose throb but I would live. I looked around the room. Jotaro and Kakyoin left. Confused, I checked the clock hanging behind me. Gym would have ended by now. My eyes then moved to a napping Avdol. Why wasn't he gone?
Thinking about it, I was probably out for another hour. I pushed myself out of bed. My legs shook as I stumbled around the room. I got up too fast, I leaned on a wall to recover. While I was on the wall I saw my bag leaned up against Avdol's chair. Leaning off the wall I slowly paced towards my belongings. I snatched them and put my bag around my shoulder. I made my way to the door quietly and opened it. I looked back to him. I don't know why he was trying so hard on a friendship I'd deny. Stepping out of the room, hoping to leave a message that I didn't want his kindness, I stopped. Standing there for a minute I squeezed my eyes shut then rolled them. I knew inside that it was harsh.
Shoving my pride down I stepped back in the room. Looking over him with narrowed eyes, I began to shake him by the shoulder. He was strangely warm and had a weird aura.
He jumped, which caused me to shy away. He looked up and was almost surprised that it was me. I looked away to avoid staring.
"The period ended a while ago. You should get to class, you've probably already been marked as absent." I didn't wait for him to get up, I had left the room.
"Thank you for waking me up," His voice was soft and gentle. "I decided to stay after Kakyoin and Jotaro headed to class. I didn't think I would doze off." He followed me into the empty hallway. I kept silent, I had nothing to talk about.
"So what course do you have next?" He looked at me.
"It's uh- language. I'm learning French again." I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly.
"Again? Did you know how to speak it before?"
"I'm French, I moved to Japan at a young age so I forgot how to. What about you?" I kept my voice monotone. No matter how soft or how kind he acted I didn't want it.
"I'm in drama. One of the best courses I'd say."
"I didn't think you'd be a theater kid." I looked at him, he looked away.
"Well you only know my name. I wouldn't expect you to know a lot about me," he adjusted the bag on his shoulders. "I love the arts, especially theater productions."
I shrugged lightly and turned to head up some stairs. I was up six steps when I noticed he wasn't following anymore. Looking down I saw him at the bottom.
"Well, the auditorium is in the next building over. It's building three if you ever want to come over and watch." I'd keep it in mind. He broke off from me and went back the way we came. I moved up the staircase and down the hallway until I reached my class. Deeply apologizing for my late appearance as I took a seat in the lowest booth available.
The introduction was short. We went over the basics of starting French. Things I could barely remember from my past. I ended up filling several pages of notes. Certain words revamped my memory. Though I hadn't spoke French for years, it wasn't hard to understand.
By the end of the day I now had three textbooks that I'd have to carry for the rest of the year. Making my way through the hallway I felt weak. I knew that after getting a concussion you feel exhausted but I didn't expect it to be this bad. My head continued to throb, it never stopped. It had been hours but the pain never left.
I made my way back to the dorms by myself. Kakyoin was already there, so was Jotaro. Jotaro was concentrating on a Macbook but looked up to an open door. I stood in the doorway as we made eye contact for a while. Slowly I closed the door behind me. I asked why he was here, he didn't reply, he just looked back down. Instead I heard Kakyoin answer me from the kitchen.
"I found out Jotaro is in our first period course, he had no one to work with so I invited him to join our group for the project that's coming up." My brain hurt. Then it reminded me that I had Avdol's number in my jeans. I kept it there for now as I moved to the kitchen. Grabbing a cloth I went to my room, while striding through I scowled at Jotaro. I understood that Kakyoin was friendly but at times he was too friendly. Sitting on my bed I pulled the number out of my pocket. I put the info into my contact list that he was now apart of. Throwing my phone to the side I stood up, I'd text him later. Thankful that the dorm came with blinds preinstalled I made the room dim. Sunlight barely shone in at my feet. I grabbed the cloth from off my bed and headed to the bathroom. I ran the cloth under cool tap water, rung it out and trudged back to my room. I folded the cloth, laid down and placed it on my forehead. I let the cold drops of water run down my temples. My eyes shut but the stress from today sat on my shoulders like bricks.
I was hit with a textbook in my first period course, then knocked out and concussed in my third period course. At lunch I denied conversation with Avdol, then in the nurses room I continued to act cold against him. One side of me was saying text him, the other half saying I should leave it be for now. I pondered on it for a while.
Groaning I grabbed my phone lazily, texting him slowly. The brightness from the screen made my eyes squint. I made it small and got to the point.
Text me back when you want to get to work on the project. Might not reply, exhausted from concussion.
Then I tossed the phone again. I rolled onto my side, moving the cloth over. I stared at the wall for a bit before I actually felt tired. I dozed off in the quiet dim space of my room.

* * *

I heard the door click and swing open. I was a very light sleeper. Kakyoin nudged my body. He gently set something down next to me. He removed the cloth from my head then whispered lightly.
"Hey, you've been out for a couple hours now," He sat down on my bed.
"I dragged Jotaro to get groceries with me. Took me a while to negotiate with him though. While we were there I picked you up a fruit salad. It said online that you should eat plenty of nutrients to recover properly."
He got up as soon as he sat down. I mumbled a quiet thank you. The door clicked as he left. We picked on eachother but cared for eachother at the same time. I took a deep breath before I sat up. I grabbed the plastic container beside me which was already opened. There were strawberries, kiwis, tangerines and blueberries. There was no fork so I just ate with my fingers.
Afterwards I felt nauseous, so I decided to lay down again. I closed my eyes and thought. I would likely have to stay inside for about a week and a half to recover properly. I worried about having to catch up on work. I could always ask Kakyoin to give me his notes, or would that be selfish of me? I don't know anyone in my science course or French course.
I was so caught up in my thoughts that I didn't hear my phone ping. Only when I opened my eyes I saw my phone blinking. Leaning over I pulled the new message up.
I understand, I hope you're doing better. We can start working on it tomorrow or once you feel up to it. Will you be in class?
I barely scratched my chin. I would answer after I sat up and pulled the elastic out of my hair. The light pressure in one spot made me uncomfortable. My hair spread over the pillow as I fell back down.
Probably not. I've been in and out of it all day and my head hasn't stopped pounding. I put my phone down but there was an immediate response.
Do you want my notes to copy when you're back up on your feet?
I didn't know how to reply. Awkwardly I typed a small;
We'll see.
I let out a long strenuous sigh, wondering how I was supposed to feel. I was thinking that I should give Avdol a chance but at the same time, I'm terrified of letting anyone else in. I should listen to Kakyoin's advice and let the first wall down. In my head I recited to myself that I wouldn't be replaced over and over. The constant thinking hurt but I had to get that message through and make it stick.