'I'm not sick, I'm not sick, there's no way I'm sick,' Riley thought to herself. "I'm supposed to be going on a field trip tomorrow but... ugh, my head." She groaned, which triggered a coughing fit. 'Okay okay... I'm sick,' she finally admitted. She was coughing, had a major headache, and probably also had a fever. 'But... maybe I could just sleep it off...' She hoped she could...

When Riley woke up the next morning, she knew she had definitely not slept it off, feeling way worse. Groaning, she tried sitting up, but failed and flopped back down. "Maya," she softly called out, knowing there was no way she'd actually hear.

"Yes, Mi'lady?" Maya playfully responded as she climbed through the window like usual.

Riley jumped in surprise, which made Maya smirk, but she soon stopped when she noticed how Riley looked.

"Hey, are you okay? You look... terrible. no offense."

"I want to say I'm fine, but clearly I'm not," Riley replied.

Maya bit her lip in thought. "We're supposed to go on a field trip today."

"... I know."

"But if you're sick I'll stay and take care of you."

"Really?"

Maya smiled and sat on the edge of Riley's bed. "Really, really."

Riley grinned. "You're the best."

Maya leaned down and kissed her forehead. "I know... I think you've got a fever, Riles, you're really warm."

Riley sighed and closed her eyes, her head hurting like crazy.

Maya brushed her cool fingers down the side of Riley's face, much to her friend's enjoyment. When she stopped, Riley opened her eyes again.

"I hate to asked, but... can you please get me some water?" she asked shyly.

Maya laughed. "You're sick and I'm here to help. It's no problem." Then she got up to do exactly that.

When she came back, Riley had managed to sit up.

Maya sat next to Riley and handed her the cup of water. "Here you go."

Riley nodded as a way to say thanks and greatfully drank the water.

Maya smiled a tight lipped smile and kissed her temple.

Riley turned and leaned against Maya, but quickly sat up again. "I don't want to be you sick..."

Maya shook her head. "It's okay. You need comfort right now and I'm here to help you."

Riley was hesitant, but still ended up putting her head back on Maya's shoulder.

Maya brushed her fingers down the side of Riley's warm face again.

Riley shivered and smiled in reflex.

"I'm sorry that you're sick," Maya whispered in her ear.

"Don't be. It's not your fault."

"Well... then I'm sorry you're missing the field trip."

"Technically, you are too. Wait... it's not technically because you are."

Maya smiled sypathetically. "You shouldn't talk much, I can tell it hurts you."

Riley frowned, but didn't counter it.

Maya sighed and shook her head. "Come on, let's bring you it to the living room. At least you can get out of your room that way."

Riley nodded, so Maya grabbed her hand and gently pulled her up. Riley groaned softly as she leaned on her friend heavily.

Maya took the opportunity and lovingly ruffled her friend's hair. "You can do it, Riles, come on." It took Maya had to practically drag her, but they both got to the living room soon enough. No one else was home, which was both a good and bad thing. Good because no one could bother Riley, bad because no one else was there to help.

Nevertheless, Riley was happy Maya was with her. As soon as they got to the living room, Riley flopped down on the couch.

Maya looked at her with sympathy. Then she left and tried to find the thermometer. When she found it, she came back to find her friend half asleep n the couch. Stiffling a laugh, she kneeled down beside her and instructed, "Get up, sleepyhead, I need to check your temperature."

Riley didn't fight it and slowly yet surely sat up.

Maya simply handed her the thermometer and let her do it herself. When it beeped, Maya took it out. She looked at it, then at Riley. She brushed her lips over her forehead, to check if it felt as warm as the thermometer said it was. It did. "102.4. Looks like you really are sick, Riles," she softly pointed out, hopping up beside her.

"Ugh, why did this have to happen now?" Riley groaned, falling against Maya's shoulder.

Maya caressed Riley's cheek and gave her a fond look. "I'm here at least, I wasn't going to just leave you here alone."

"Don't leave me..."

Maya stopped and cupped Riley's face with both hands, kissing her friend's blazing forehead. "I can't; I won't."

Riley kissed her jawline, not wanting to sit up but still wanted Maya to feel loved as well.

She did. "Hey, I love you," Maya softly whispered in Riley's ear.

Riley nuzzled her neck in response, Maya feeling the heat radiate off of her.

Instead, she let Riley cuddle with her, wanting her to be comforted in her sick state.

Riley suddenly paused, turning away, and coughing loudly.

Maya gently nudged her. "Do you need me to find some medicine for you as well?"

"Yes and no."

Maya raised an eyebrow. "How so?"

"Well," Riley started with a awkward laugh, "I know I need medicine but I like cuddling with you..."

Maya rolled her eyes and laughed. "No one said we couldn't continue after the medicine."

Riley blushed.

Maya grinned and left to find the medicine.

Meanwhile, Riley was happy and miserable at the same time, a weird combination. Her nose was running, her throat hurt, and she was freezing, but she was happy she had her best friend.

Speaking of, Maya had came back with the medicine. "I finally found it! Here," she announced, handing it to her.

"You seem awfully cheerful...," Riley grumbled as she reluctantly took the medicine.

"I'm trying to make you happier, dork. I know that being sick sucks, but I do want you to be happy."

Riley affectionately nuzzled into her neck. "Trust me, even though I feel terrible, I'm happy. I promise."

Maya smiled and held her. "Good that."