Disclaimer: I do not own Coronation Street.
This is just an idea that has been running through my head since I saw the episode of corrie where Ryan was crying about being ignored by Michelle, and was comforted by Liam. When Steve told her he stayed home from school and she asked if he was ill, it made me wonder what would have happened if he was ill-would he motherly instinct over her son kick in, or would continue betraying Ryan. Anyways, on with the story.
Or Lack Thereof
"Shh it's okay." Liam consoled his nephew. Even though there was no blood between him and Ryan, he would always think of him as family. However, he couldn't say the same for his sister Michelle. Liam felt rightly appalled to be related to her at this time. She was abandoning her real son for one who only shared her DNA.
Sniffling a few times, Ryan's shoulders shuddered, and then with some resolve he lifted his head off of his uncle's shoulders and wiped his eyes. "I think I better be off to school now, or else I'll be late."
"Umm, hang on a minute, I think you should pass on school today. You look a bit pekid, and you've obviously had a rough night." Liam gave Ryan a once over and decided the boy looked disheveled and a bit ill. With all his shaking and shivering, Liam was surprised that Ryan could still converse without a studder.
"No, I think I'll be-" but he was cut off by a sudden sharp pain in his stomach.
"Ryan, what's the matter?" Liam swiftly put his hand to the boy's shoulder, and gently coaxed him to reply.
"I'm not sure, I think it's just some of the leftovers I ate last night-they did smell a bit dodgy" Ryan winced as he spoke clutching his aching stomach.
"I'm not so sure about that." Not convinced at his nephew's lame exscuse, Liam put his hand to Ryan's forehead and was startled by the heat that he felt searing his palm. "Ryan, you're burning hot-how long have you felt sick?"
"Uhh, a few days I guess." Ryan answered, eyes cast to the floor.
"Well that does it, I'm going to phone your mum-she should know about this."
"Oh please no Liam! She doesn't want to see me, and I don't just want to guilt her into it." With tears returning to his already bleary eyes, he turned away from his uncle.
"Ryan, come on, she cares."
"Only about her real son Alex."
Liam was about to counter when Ryan started gagging. "What's the matter mate? Do you feel like you're going to be sick?" But Ryan was already ahead of him, racing off to the bathroom with a hand clamped firmly over his mouth.
With the help of Liam's gentle pats on the back and a few minutes of pure agony, Ryan sat back from the toilet shuddering from the experience. "That, was gross."
"Yeah, but do you feel any better?" Liam asked with concern.
"No, I feel worse." Ryan lay back and pressed his cheek on the cool linolium floor of the bathroom, willing the world to stop spinning.
"Well that does it. You're not going to school, and I'm definately ringing your mum." sighing in defeat, Ryan allowed Liam to help him up and onto the couch. Ryan dreaded to become aware with what else the world could throw at him, but he knew was going to find out soon enough.