—
Wracked with pain, I lay sprawled on my bed, breathing in ragged gasps. Every muscle ached; each movement was a protest. Cocooned in my bedcover, I shivered despite the sweat clinging to my skin. A sharp cough tore from my chest, and I clutched my ribs in agony.
If Diya were still here...
The thought lingered until a knock at the door interrupted it.
I flinched at the sound, but I thought it was someone worriedly checking in on me. The idea of being seen like this, dishevelled and miserable, made me grimace. I didn’t want anyone’s concern. I just needed rest.
Gritting my teeth, I forced myself upright. I pushed past the motion, even though it drove a new surge of pain through me. Slowly, I swung my legs over the bed and stood, instinctively reaching out to the wall for support, leaning heavily against it.
“Thanks for coming,” I rasped, my voice barely audible. “But I’m fine… just need to rest.” The words had barely left my lips when I started coughing.
“You don’t sound okay,” came a familiar voice from the other side. Could it really be—
Summoning the last of my strength, I reached the door and fumbled with the handle. As it creaked open, my suspicion was confirmed.
“Marcus?” I croaked, gripping the doorframe for support.
He stood there with concern in his eyes as he took in my fevered state: sweat-soaked, shaking, and barely upright.
“Heard you were sick, so I’m here.”
I cursed silently. Of all people to see me like this… why Marcus? Why had I even opened the door?
—
—
Monday dragged on, though Hazel’s absence from homeroom lingered in my thoughts. Nomura-sensei simply said she'd be out for a few days, offering no explanation. I found myself glancing toward her empty seat throughout the day, wondering what was going on with her.
My thoughts were jumbled as I walked slowly back to my dorm building. With the inaugural dinner set for Wednesday, her presence was crucial. I mulled over her brief text from earlier; she was ‘’ But something felt off. I recalled her subtle signs of discomfort recently. Could she be—
My phone buzzed, cutting through my thoughts. Diya’s name lit up the screen. I answered immediately.
“Hey, Diya.”
“Marcus, I need to check on Hazel right now,” she said urgently.
I tensed as my suspicions seemed confirmed. “I see. So, she’s sick, isn’t she?”
“Yeah,” Diya sighed. “I waited until your classes ended to call. Hazel’s as stubborn as always. I’m sure she’s holed up in her room, trying to self-medicate and avoid making it a big deal.”
She was clearly frustrated, and I couldn't blame her. “How did you find out?”
“I called her. She tried to play it off, but I could tell from her voice.”
There was a faint, muffled voice in the background before Diya spoke again. “Marcus, I’ve got to head out now. Green Tower, Room 134. I’ll call you later for an update, okay?”
“Got it. Talk soon.”
The call ended, and I stood there for a moment. “Hazel, you big dummy,” I muttered, already turning toward Green Tower.
—
—
“You look terrible,” Marcus said, noticing how I clung to the doorframe for support.
“You shouldn’t be here. I don’t want you getting sick.”
My grip slipped, knees buckling beneath me. Marcus lunged forward, catching me before I could fall. His arms wrapped around me, my head resting against his chest. I could hear his heartbeat.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he said softly.
My breathing grew heavier, each word a struggle. “Why... won’t you... listen?” I murmured, tilting my head up to meet his gaze.
“You’re stubborn, Hazel,” he replied with a faint smile. “Come on. I’ll help you.”
With one arm around my back, he guided me inside. The pain in my muscles was intense, and every step felt heavier than the one before.
“Wait… I need a minute,” I said, leaning heavily into him.
“Hang on,” he said and then, without warning, swept me off my feet.
“Marcus?” I blinked in surprise.
“Sorry,” he said, carrying me with care. “I didn’t want to push you too hard. This is faster.”
He gently laid me on the bed. “Comfortable?”
I nodded faintly. He smiled slightly and knelt beside me.
“Taken any medicine?”
“Yes.”
“How about food? Have you eaten?”
“I ate in the morning,” I answered, briefly closing my eyes.
“Alright,” he said, heading to the kitchen. He opened the fridge and inspected its contents. “I’m going to use your kitchen, if that’s okay.”
“Go ahead.”
He nodded, pulled out a few ingredients, and got to work. I couldn’t see what he was making, but the quiet sounds from the kitchen soothed me. Before long, my eyes drifted shut, the rhythm of his movements reminding me I wasn’t alone.
“Hazel,” a soft voice called, pulling me from sleep. I opened my eyes to see a hazy figure kneeling next to the bed. Marcus.
“I need to grab a few things from the store,” he said gently. “I’ll be back, alright?”
The faint light through the windows outlined his figure as he stood. Panic surged through me. I reached out, clutching his sleeve.
“Don’t…” My voice cracked, eyes filling with tears. Memories flooded back. I had been here before, watching people leave, uncaring of my state, abandoning me when I needed them most. The fear gripped me.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“Don’t leave,” I whispered, my voice shaking. “Please stay… just a little longer.”
Marcus paused, then crouched beside me again, taking my hand. “Alright,” he said softly. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He sat on the bed’s edge, and a wave of relief washed over me. Tears slid down my cheeks. “Thank you,” I murmured.
—
—
Her grip on my hand loosened, fingers falling limp as sleep overtook her. The moment brought back memories of our outing, those brief glimpses when her carefully guarded fa?ade had begun to crack.
I wasn’t trying to pry, but what I’d seen painted a troubling picture. The way she clung to me, the fear in her voice, the tears... It hinted at something emotional, probably parental neglect.
No child deserved that.
The thought weighed on me. As much as I wanted to help, I couldn’t fix this. Her wounds ran deeper than anything I could reach. And I feared this wouldn’t be the last time I’d see her break.
I reached out and brushed her forehead. Still warm as her fever lingered. Her brow twitched at the touch, lips parting slightly as if to speak in her sleep. I let my hand rest there for a moment longer before pulling away.
A knock broke the silence.
I glanced at Hazel one last time and went to the door.
Natsumi stood on the other side, holding a large nylon bag. “Got the stuff you asked for,” she said, handing it over.
“Thanks,” I replied, feeling the weight of the bag.
“You’re welcome,” she said. “You know, I’m still surprised you asked me to do this.”
I understood the mix of amusement and curiosity in her voice. Natsumi had a habit of getting involved in things, her intentions rarely being subtle. I’d asked her for help partly because I knew she was looking for a chance to get closer to me. She was reliable when it mattered, even if her reasons weren’t entirely selfless. Kailey would’ve been my first choice, but she was out with friends.
“Consider it a way to earn some trust,” I said with a smirk.
Natsumi smiled faintly, sighing. “Alright then. How’s she doing now?”
“Not great,” I admitted. “But I’ve got it covered for now.”
“Alright. I won’t keep you,” she said, turning away. “We’ll talk later.”
“Yeah.”
I closed the door and brought the bag to the kitchen, hearing Hazel’s faint breathing as I unpacked vegetables, herbs, and a container of broth. Rolling up my sleeves, I washed my hands and got to work.
—
—
After searching Hazel's kitchen, I found a bowl and poured some steaming broth. I carried it to her bedside, where she lay asleep, her face flushed with fever. I leaned in and gave her a gentle touch on the shoulder after placing the bowl on the nightstand.
“Hey,” I said softly, not wanting to startle her. “I’ve got some food for you.”
Her eyes flickered open, and she stirred, letting out a small groan. She glanced up at me, the haze of sleep still visible in her eyes.
“Thank you,” she murmured, her voice raspier than before.
I propped her pillow against the headboard and helped her sit up, steadying her with a hand on her back. I grabbed the spoon and bowl, scooped up a little of the broth, and held it up to her mouth.
“What are you doing?” she asked, surprised.
“I’m feeding you.”
A flicker of stubbornness crossed her face. “I think I can manage that myself.”
“Alright,” I said, handing her the spoon.
Hazel reluctantly accepted the spoon, dipping it into the bowl and taking a bite.
“How is it?”
Her lips curled into a small smile as she looked up at me. “Oh… this is really good. I didn’t know you could cook.”
I placed a hand on my chest, mock offended. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
She shrugged, taking another sip. “Just didn’t picture you as the cooking type.”
I smirked and leaned back, letting her eat in peace. When she finished, I took the bowl and set it aside. “Think you can stand? I suggest you take a shower. It’ll help you feel better.”
Hazel looked down at herself, her expression shifting to mild horror as she noticed the sweat clinging to her skin and clothes.
Avoiding my gaze, she muttered, “I’ll go do that,” and swung her legs over the bed. She hesitated for a moment before pushing herself up, wobbling slightly as she found her footing.
“Take it slow,” I said, stepping forward just in case.
She straightened, still unsteady. “I… uh…” Her face turned red.
I held up my hands. “Don’t worry, I’ll give you some space.”
I turned and headed to the kitchen, grabbing the bowl and spoon on the way. I heard the faint creak of the bathroom door as she entered, followed by the sound of the shower turning on.
As I washed the dishes, a strange unease began to settle in. It wasn’t the first time I’d helped someone while they were sick, but something about Hazel being just behind the bathroom door made me unusually hyper-aware of everything.
After drying the dishes, I walked over to the bathroom door and knocked lightly.
“Hey, I’m heading back to my room to change out of my uniform. I’ll be back soon.”
“Uh, alright,” Hazel called back, barely audible over the running water.
Taking that as my cue, I grabbed my things and stepped into the hallway. I pulled out my phone and hit the call button for Diya.
“Hey,” I said when the line connected.
“Marcus, how is she?” Diya asked, a little breathless, like she’d rushed to answer.
“She’s alive and doing better now,” I said with a relieved exhale. “I left her so she could shower and freshen up.”
“Thanks for checking on her for me.”
“No worries.” I slowed near the intersection to my dorm; something was weighing on my mind, and now felt like the right time to address it. “But I do have a question: why me? Couldn’t you have called someone else? Maybe another girl—someone more helpful in this kind of situation?”
There was a pause before Diya sighed. “The truth is, Hazel doesn’t have many people she’s close to. Despite her popularity, she keeps her distance. Besides me, you’re probably the only person she considers a friend.”
As Diya mentioned, Hazel was popular, but I’d never really seen her engage with people on a deeper level. She was admired but always seemed emotionally distant and hard to read.
“And,” Diya added, “you’re the student council president. If anyone should know how their vice president is doing, it’s you.”
Hard to argue with that. Still, I couldn’t help but wonder what she would’ve done if I hadn’t been around.
“I see,” I said. “Alright. I’ll take care of her.”
“Thanks,” Diya replied right before a high-pitched scream rang through the line.
“You okay?” I asked, alarmed.
“Oh, yeah, sorry about that!” she said quickly, her voice slightly muffled, as if she had turned her head away. “I’m with my little cousin. Chris, say hi.”
“Hello!” a tiny, cheerful voice chimed in.
I couldn’t help but smile. “Hello, little one. How are you?”
“I’m fine!”
“He’s adorable, right?” Diya said.
“Definitely,” I replied, smiling. “Send me a picture later.”
“I’ll flood you with them,” she laughed. “Gosh, kids are just the cutest!”
“Babies and toddlers especially,” I agreed, hearing her excited squeal through the phone.
“Exactly! You get it; they’re soft, squishy, and so cuddly. I could hug them all day!”
It was nice to know we both shared a love for children. For all their noise and chaos, they had a way of brightening even the darkest days.
“Ah, Marcus,” Diya said, her tone shifting. “I think my attention’s needed. Gotta go.”
“No problem.”
“Keep me updated about Hazel, okay?” she added before hanging up.
I slipped my phone into my pocket and quickened my pace to the dorm. After changing into a hoodie and jeans, I headed back to Hazel’s room.
Knocking lightly, I heard her voice from the other side. “It’s open.”
She was by the bed, tucking in fresh sheets. She looked up as I entered, brushing a stray strand of damp hair from her face.
“Let me help,” I offered.
She shook her head. “Don’t worry. I’m already done.”
She sat on the edge of the bed, and I joined her, keeping a respectful distance.
“How are you feeling?”
“Still terrible, but better,” she said with a faint smile.
I reached out, resting the back of my hand against her forehead. Still warm, but better. Hazel flinched slightly, her cheeks turning red when our eyes met. I pulled my hand back, clearing my throat and glancing at the nightstand to ease the tension.
“What about your medicine? Have you taken it yet?” I asked.
Hazel shook her head, looking faintly apologetic.
I pulled the small pillbox from the nylon bag on the nightstand. “I’ll get you some water,” I said, heading to the kitchen.
“Thank you,” Hazel murmured.
In the kitchen, I opened a cabinet and grabbed a clean glass, filling it with cold water from the jug in the fridge and bringing it back to her. She took the pills with a sip of water. Just as she finished, my phone buzzed in my pocket—Dad. Of course, his timing was impeccable.
“I need to take this,” I said, stepping toward the door and leaning against it for some privacy.
“Hey, Dad,” I answered.
“Congrats!” he yelled, loud enough that I had to pull the phone from my ear.
“I guess Kailey told you.”
“She did. But I would’ve liked to hear it from you,” he said, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
“I’ve been busy,” I replied. “Actually, I’m in the middle of something now.”
“Oh, bad time?” His tone shifted, more serious.
“Yeah. How about I call you Saturday? Then we can talk properly.”
“Alright then. Take care, Marcus.”
“You too,” I said before he hung up.
A wave of remorse hit me as I stared at my phone. I should probably spend more time with him, I thought, slipping it back into my pocket.
Back in the room, Hazel was lying on the bed.
“Ready to sleep?” I asked, sitting on the edge of the mattress.
She nodded, and instead of leaving, I slid to the floor and leaned against the bed.
“There’s still some broth in the kitchen if you get hungry later,” I said, glancing up at her. “Plus, I—”
I paused as her hand rested lightly on mine.
“Marcus... don’t go... please,” she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.
When I looked up, I saw the sadness in her eyes again.
“I was not planning on leaving,” I murmured, turning my hand over to squeeze hers gently. “I’m here.”
Her eyes closed, and her grip tightened slightly. Her breathing slowed, and soon she seemed to drift into sleep.
I looked down at our hands, her delicate fingers resting against mine. Thank goodness she couldn’t see me like this, as I realised how red I must be. I leaned my head back against the bed frame with a quiet sigh.