Darkness and light transitioned in the hallway, leaving me tense and confused. It felt like day and night converging, all at once. And then, it stopped.

"Randy!" A voice yelled my name.

"Are you okay?" Faye bent over me.

I slowly revealed my face, and my body relaxed. I turned, cringing a bit as her awkward hand barely touched my shoulder.

"Why are you here?" I asked.

She hesitated before responding, "I came after you to check if you were fine."

"Are you okay?" She asked shyly again.

"I..." My voice struggled to formulate a proper answer.

My whole body told me something was definitely wrong, and my mouth dared me, rendering me unable to lie.

"I don't know," that was the most honest answer I could give.

The bell rang again before she could say anything, and even though I didn't feel like heading to class, I stood from my spot on the floor. The hallways soon filled with more classmates heading to their classrooms.

"Let's get you to the infirmary," Faye stopped me.

"That won't be necessary."

"Just to check if you're fine," she insisted.

"But-"

"Please."

⎯⎯⎯✧࿓☾⎯⎯⎯

I wasn't sure what I could tell the school nurse that would help me, but if it meant skipping class, even if just for a bit, then I guess I could take it.

"Well, Randy," the nurse spoke after checking me well, "I think you must have a little headache from wearing too many clothes in spring. I'll give you some meds, and you should be able to attend your classes once the effect is done, okay?" She said as she moved to the med cabinet and took out the pills.

"You're old enough to drink this; go grab some water from the oasis."

I nodded and did as she told me.

Faye sat next to me, insisting on making sure I was fine, assuring the nurse that I felt really bad. I wasn't sure she believed me, and I was even more sure I didn't need the pill, but whatever.

"Faye, right? What class do you have next?"

"Oh,"

"It's okay; I'm just going to write your excuse for coming late."

Faye relaxed and told the nurse the details she needed to write the note. She had done mine earlier, so I was free.

I drank some water and then swallowed the meds.

"Randy, stay here for a while so it affects you properly, please," she signaled to the bed, and I gladly accepted my new seat.

"Guess I'm leaving now..." Faye murmured, and the nurse nodded, handing her the note.

"Yes, Faye, and thanks for helping your classmate. You're a very good child."

"Thanks," she hummed and then left.

The nurse filled out some papers and then told me she would be absent for a while, and I could feel free to leave once I felt ready to do so.

I was alone in the room again, and I must admit I didn't find it very comfortable.

I mean, it's not like being alone in my room, but it definitely feels different. Like, there's never a moment in which I'm truly alone for long in school. So, this was just that... different.

I chose to relax a little. Maybe the nurse was right, and I'm just getting weird because I never take off my hoodie.

But, nobody goes against me for wearing it in this middle school; I can't just let pass an opportunity like that. Plus, I feel safer with it on. Like the feet covered by the blanket at night. It doesn't make sense. It just feels safe.

I rested, laying on the small bed I was sitting on and closed my eyes.

The wind came in from the window, and the sun was gently playing with the curtain's cover over my face.

I could totally fall asleep right now and use that as an excuse to skip the whole class lecture. I'm really not in the mood anyways.

But again, the nurse was not all that convinced I was really feeling that bad. Maybe I could get in trouble if I just stayed here and fell asleep instead of returning as she instructed me.

Sigh, I exhaled and rubbed my eyes before sitting again.

Knock, knock.

I heard a soft knock on the door as I opened my eyes.

"I'll be leaving now; thanks for the- Faye?"

I thought it had been the nurse, but I was wrong.

"Um, hi."

"What are you doing here... again?"

She didn't move from her spot at the door.

"I was just wondering..." she began, "do you like spring?"

What a weird question.

"No."

"Oh."

She stood there still, not looking directly at me now.

"Neither do I. Would you like to hang out after school if you feel better?"

She asked shyly and way too directly.

I guess Hamish was right saying she liked me. But even if she seemed to be a little nice and not as pestering as I thought she would be, I don't think I feel like hanging out today.

"I don't think so."

"Maybe tomorrow-"

"No, Faye, I'm sorry. I don't know if your brother told you I'm not interested."

She looked back at me and sighed.

"My brother misunderstood me."

She said, moving in finally, and closing the door behind her after checking everything was empty and nobody could come by for the time being.

"How so?"

"Yes, I've asked him about you, but it's not for that reason."

"Then what is it?"

She moved her eyes from me to the window, "have you ever felt... observed?"

What?

I didn't reply. I couldn't.

What was her deal? Bothering me like her brother?

"No, why are you asking that?"

She looked back at me.

"I could help you."

"I don't know what you're talking about," I said, trying to sound firm, but the reality is, I'm starting to get nauseous and scared again. I can't understand what she's talking about, but I don't like where it's heading.

"I know some things you don't know, and I could help you. Just tell me when we can meet."

She said and left the infirmary, leaving me alone again.

I was bewitched, bewildered, and all the be's.

Did she really knew something?

What do I need help with?

The thing is... I secretly knew inside me I had to meet her now.

Even if I can't accept it... I must do it now... I can't deny it anymore.

Something's wrong with me.