Sick Day

"Gabriella."

My pen was going faster than my mind. The red spread across the page like blood. Is that too dark?

"Gabriella."

I wasn't listening. All of my focus was on the red. I was sketching the landscape of some far off planet in my mind. This all started from a line that I didn't mean to put on the page. It soon grew into a planet landscape. An astronaut was clinging to the string of a red balloon.

"Gabriella."

Link nudged me. I jumped and looked up.

"Huh?"

Ms Summers looked at my paper and smiled. "Please keep it in art class."

I blushed and heard a little bit of laughing. My phone buzzed. Ms Summers walked away, asking another student about Darwin's theory, or something. I slid my phone out of my pocket and bit my lip as I checked the messages.

Guess you're a lot dumber than you look. Gosh, try looking away from your awful drawing once in a while.

Tears burned in my eyes, but I blinked them away. There was no way that I was going to let this idiot get to me. I took a deep breath and looked around. Everyone was watching Ms Summers with interest. I sighed and capped my pen. I set it down and tried to pay attention to the lame lesson. My heart seemed to soar when the bell rang.

"You okay," Link asked. "You're quieter than usual."

"I'm fine. Don't worry about it."

I slid my bag on, still watching the people around me. I wanted to know who sent that message. These texts had to stop. I needed to find someone who could help and get rid of them.

"Gabriella, can I talk to you, please?"

I sighed and turned. Everyone else left the room and I tried to suppress the burning feeling I had in my face. This is the last thing I need! My phone vibrated and my heart sank.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to not pay attention. I was just preoccupied."

I gripped my notebook tightly in my left arm and felt my fingernails on my right hand, digging into my palm. I wasn't even aware I was forming a fist.

Ms Summers nodded. "I saw the drawing as I passed you. It's very impressive. Are you in an art class?"

I shook my head. "I don't even know where the art room is."

Ms Summers nodded again. "May I see the sketch again?"

With shaking hands, I opened my biology folder and held out my worksheet. Ms Summers smiled and looked at the sketch for a few minutes.

"Do you feel like you're landing on a different planet?"

I frowned. "I don't know. It's not really about feelings. It's just about the pictures in my head."

"My brother is an artist," Ms Summers said with a large smile. "It's about feelings. That's what the pictures are fueled by. Thoughts and feelings. If anything ever happens, don't hesitate to talk to me, okay?"

I should have told her. I thought about the texts. Those texts come from different numbers all the time. No one will be able to do anything. I just nodded. The bell rang again and there was a knock at the door. Ms Summers and I turned to find Link standing at the door. He nodded towards the hallway.

"Gabriella and I have to get going," he said. "Mr Smith would be a little ticked if we were late for history."

"Oh, yeah. Go ahead, Gabriella."

I nodded and ran out of the room so fast, it felt like I was burning rubber. Link and I ran down the hallway. I overshot, so Link grabbed my hand and pulled me into the classroom. Everyone looked at us in shock as the door slammed closed. I flinched and felt my face burning. It was hard to catch my breath.

"Ms Summers wanted to talk to us," Link breathed.

"Nice of you guys to drop in," Mr Smith said. He shut off the lights and threw a tennis ball at the SmartBoard.

I flinched again as I slid into my seat. I took a deep breath. My phone buzzed in my pocket. I took it out and pressed the lock button. The screen lit up momentarily, revealing another text. Another unknown number.

After quickly sliding my phone into my pocket, I tried to focus on what Mr Smith was saying. Something about no man's land and enemies attacking from both sides. I tried to keep up with notes, but I felt like I was drowning.

All I want is to be happy. I want my brother. I want my parents. Shoot. I felt tears gathering in my eyes. I got up and ran out of the room. I ran to the bathroom down the hall. Luckily no one was there. As soon as the door to the bathroom shut, I burst into tears. I pulled out my phone and began a text I thought I'd never send.

Can you come get me? I don't feel well.

I waited for the reply. I wasn't sure if I'd ever get it.

Nathan's on his way. Just stay at the nurse's office.

I took a deep breath and washed my face. Then I went to the classroom again. Everyone turned to me as soon as I opened the door. Deep breath. It's not too much.

"Sorry, sir. I felt really sick."

Mr Smith nodded and went to his desk. He wrote out a note and handed it to me. I took it, then gathered my things and left the room. My phone buzzed, but I ignored it. I had to just keep going.

After wandering for a little bit, I got to the nurse's office. She looked at me and tilted her head.

"You alright, girlie?"

I shook my head. "I threw up a little bit ago. It's probably just my period, but I called my guardian. He's on his way to get me."

She nodded and sat me down. She handed me a stack of Saltine crackers and some sort of hot tube thing. I set the tube to the side and just nibbled on crackers. I worked on the biology sheet as I waited.

Thirty minutes later, Nathan walked into the nurse's office. He smiled and picked up my backpack. I followed him out and we drove to his house. Nathan set my bag down in the living room and I just curled up on the couch.

"Are you okay? You didn't say anything in the car."

"I'm fine."

You stupid liar. He'll hate you for the rest of your life if he finds out.

I wanted to scream. I wanted everything to leave me alone. I was tired. How do people do this everyday? Am I the only one going through this?

Nathan sat next to me and turned on the television. My head picked up a little when I heard a familiar theme song.

"You watch Doctor Who?"

"No, but I know you do. You seem to be having a hard time, so I thought this would help. When I was in school and having a hard day, my favorite show always helped me."

I nodded and watched the screen. He had started at the first episode of the 2005 reboot. I smiled. I knew every line, every action, every step. The real world seemed to melt away. All that mattered was laying on Nathan's couch, watching Doctor Who and pretending that Nathan was Justin.