I heard the sound of the alarm clock as i woke up with a stomach ache. I reach for the alarm clock and turn it off as I tried to get up but collapsed from the dizzyness. So i decided to just take a nap on my bed for a little while till the dizzyness and stomach ache was gone. I then rest my head on the pillow and closed my eyes.
"Marlo," I woke up from Mark's voice, "hurry up, were gonna be late for school!"
I sighed not in a mood to get up, but I had to. I got up trying to ignore the dizzyness and got to my closet to change from my pajamas to my uniform. As i got dress I heard Mark shouting,
"MARLO, WE HAVE TO GO NOW!"
Why can't he be patient for once?
"I'm coming," I called back as I took my old backpack and rush out of my room. When I was almost there, my head started spinning so much, I lost my concentration. I then slam my whole body into the wall and collapsed once again this time on the floor.
"ARE YOU STUPID?"
My head was hurting from Mark's shouting as I flicker open my eyes and notice my tail was against the wall with my best friend making a look at me with his arms crossed.
"Hey," I got up looking him serious, "Its not MY fault that I got a headache in the first place and it dosen't mean I'm going to snap my finger and POOF its gone!"
I turn and reach my hannd to the doorknob of the door that was right next to us.
"If you're really THAT sick, you can just skip school and stay in your bed."
"No," I said in a deep frustrated voice, "I'm fine!"
"Sheesh," Mark rolled his eyes as I swam out the door, "ok, ."
When we got to class, my stomach was feeling worse. So when I got to my desk, I decided to take another nap before class starts. A dark blue fish tap on my back a minute later saying if I was alright and I didn't say a word. I didn't really feel like telling people if I'm fine or not. It just sound a little complicated to me when I say things like this little situation. When class started, saw me lying my head on the desk.
"Is everything ok or do you want to take me to Nurse Fishington."
I put my head up looking at the elderly puffer fish.
"No, its ok," I made a smile at her, "Just a little bit of a flu is all. I'm sure it'll be gone before you know it."
"Well, if you feel worse, , tell me and we'll go to her right away."
I nodded in agreement and then started doing roll calls and finally got to work.
The stomach ache disappeared around thiry minutes and I thought I was going to feel better in about an hour. But in around noon, it came back and I tried concentrating on finishing Geography before we go to lunch. But a few minutes later, I felt the pain strike me as I hugged myself suddenly and moan a little louder than that morning. Everybody, even Shellie and Mark, stared at me curiously as I lay my forehead on the desk.
"...!" I heard the teacher call me, but before I can say anything, I felt my mind spinning and finally all I saw was pitch-black.
I quickly awaken from the sound of the emergency alarm and the students shouting. I then notice I was floating upside down with everything blurry around me and my world spinning a little. I started getting worried. What was happening to me and what is going on around here? Suddenly, I got caught in something and when I looked up, I notice I was in a plastic bag with Nurse Fishington holding on to it. I got scared as she rush me to the hallway. I kept on shouting and kicking to let me out of the bag. She then said something to me, but it was too faded for me to hear.
I kept on struggling to break out of the bag with as much energy I had until I found out it was hopeless. I cried the whole time and then a minute later, I fainted again.
I then woke up and my sights was still blurry. My stomach ache was fading a little, but i still felt a little dizzy. I notice a figure on the table that look like my glasses as i took it and put it on. My vision came clear and I look around. I then also notice I was in Nurse Fishington's office with her sitting in front of me on a chair reading a book and I was in a small tank lying in a old lavender bed. Young and pretty friendly Fishington looked up an noticed me.
"Baldwin," she smiled as she got up and place her book down as she got close to the tank, "You're awake!How do you feel?"
"Better...I guess," I shrugged softly, "But why am I here?"
She smiled a little anxious,
"Well it seems you have a case of a dropsy, so you're going to have to stay in there for a week and you'll feel as good as a baby bird."
"What's a dropsy?"
"It's pretty much like a chicken pox but like a fish pox which could be a pretty awful illness, but you'll be fine if you stay in there for a week."
"A week," I forgotten what she said to me earlier,"Are you sure?"
"As much as I'd been in college for around a several years, there is no WAY that could be wrong.
"WHAT? THATS MADNESS," I blurted out as Fishington's eyes widenend, "I CAN'T STAY IN THIS PRISON! I HAVE MARK'S PARTY TO GO TO AND-"
"don't scream like that," she said in a friendly voice, "Your voice is gonna get worst if you keep doing that. You should get a rest so that tomorrow you can see your friends visit you."
I frowned and didn't say anything else. I quietly went back to bed and lied down getting safe and warm as I slowly closed my eyes. That midnight, I couldn't fall asleep feeling so lonely in the dark and silent place of Freshwater High. For few hours, I was sobbing wishing that Shellie or Mark could comfort me in nightmarist place.
The next morining, I woke up seeing Fishington setting up her papers after she came in. Since I was so bored and Fishington's job was running pretty slow today, we decide to have a chat. It lasted until 10AM and she ordered me to take another nap since I didn't have that much sleep last night. I then woke up at 3PM and met random students that came to give me gifts. I was pretty much feeling better because no one ever talk to me except Mark and Shellie. Mark then visited me and knew about why I couldn't go to his party.
"As long as I'm hanging out with my bro," he said to me, "It feels like a party to me." I smiled when he said and it was good he understanded my pain since I'm stuck in this tank for a week. Finally, when everybody left, I then saw a blue seahorse come in carrying a gift.
"Shellie," I smiled huge as I press my nose on the glass, "You came!"
"Ofcourse I came you silly duck," She smile at me, "How can a friend leave her friend in a lonely place like this?"
We then burst out laughing for three second.
"You know," I chuckled, "For girl who wants to be a mother, you really make good jokes."
"Oh really," She raised her eyebrow, "You're the one who makes a good laugh!"
We both laugh once again as we sighed happily.
"Oh," she replied, "I almost forgot to give you something. Here, catch!"
She threw it over the small tank I was in as it landed on my hands looking at the small wrapping present.
"I was suppose to give it to you on Monday, but I got a little shy that I didn't bring it, but since Nurse Fishington told me about what happenend last night, I thought this will be a good time to give it to you so you wont' feel alone."
I glance at her for a few seconds and then started unwrapping my present. When I open it, I saw a beautiful blue box decorated in vines with blue flowers blooming on it with with white glitters. I look up at her.
"A box?"
She shook her head slowly still smiling.
"Open it..."
I paused for a moment and slowly look at the beautiful box and slowly open it.
Then, I heard a familiar melodies music fly swiftly out of the box and started to remember it.
"It's the lullaby... it's from-"
She slowly nodded with her eyes glittering as she stared at me look once again at the music box. The music then stopped as I winded it and it started playing the beautiful music again.
It felt the same way I felt about it when I heard her singing six months ago.
"Do you like it?" she said softly,
"I love it," I look up at her with my eyes watery, "It's the best gift I've ever had."
I never felt so happy before in my life since 1986. I decided to do something very special for her that she ever wanted for years now. I look up at her.
"I know what you want," I murmured.
"Ok," she noticed, "And why is that?"
"I was wondering if...you know.."
I paused right there and she finally found out.
"Why?" Her eyes widenend, "You're joking, right?"
I shook my head, "No I'm not."
She paused for a long time and slowly stand up in disbelief.
"Look," I said a little anxious, "I know this may sound wierd to you but..."
She turned to me curiously. I sighed as I place my hand on the glass.
"I..I think I'm falling in love with you," the truth finally came out of me after six months and I gulped down fighting the embarrasment.
She kneel down in front of me still staring at me as I slowly look up at her.
"I...don't know how this happen, Shellie, but I tried to forget about you, but my heart just can't let you go...Its just-" I sighed and felt like crying from so much pain tightening my stomach.
"I'm sorry, Shellie," tears roll down on me, "I tried..."
After weeping, which felt like forever, I heard her soft voice.
"Don't feel sorry,Marlo," She stared her hands, "For years, I've been looking for the right fish who will be a perfect for me and," she look up at me with a smile, "I found him."
We sat quietly staring at each other's eyes. Shellie slowly place her hand on the glass where my hand was placing and notice our hand fitted perfectly.
"If you really do love me, you have to make a promise for me,Marlo. When we get married and have enough money, we could have a family and you can't forget that promise. You promise?"
I nodded softly smiling.
"I promise."
