We lose weeks like buttons, like pencils.
Dave Eggers
He woke up to a throbbing head. He whimpered a little and struggled to open his eyes. Was it morning time already? He dug his elbows into the bed and tried to pull himself upright but he was dizzy and everything in his room was swirling around like a hurricane. Jace wondered what time it was. Was it breakfast? The events of the day before found their way into his mind and he remembered Clary's excited face as they played hide-and-seek, or the way she giggled so wildly that she leaned against him for support. Clary was his best friend. He knew it.
The door to his room opened and Mrs. Seelie's face appeared atop him. She looked worried, her eyebrows scrunched up and her lips formed in a deep frown. "Honey, you have a fever. Don't worry, though. The nurse will be coming in a minute to give you some medicine." He tried to show her that he was listening but he could barely nod. She placed her hand on his forehead and pulled away quickly, mumbling, "You're burning up."
He fell asleep, his body cold and shivering.
x
He saw the nurse pouring something red into a small realized he was up and smiled sympathetically. "It'll be alright, dear. Here." She set the plastic container against his mouth. "Drink this. It'll make you feel better." He was breathing heavily and he gripped his blankets tight while swallowing the liquid. He cringed and made a face. It tasted like cherry.
The nurse chuckled and placed a wet cloth on his skin. "I know it doesn't taste great, but it works." She gathered a small case and placed a bunch of things inside. He caught a glimpse of napkins, bottles, and even syringes. She rose up and ran her hand down his cheek. Her skin was hot. He felt so cold. "You'll be okay in no time. Just take a nap."
Jace let out a breath and stared at his walls. They were so plain compared to the ones he had in his old house. He rubbed the sweaty hair out of his eyes. He couldn't sleep. Everything was still spinning. He hadn't eaten anything but he wasn't really hungry. When would the medicine work? He wanted to play and chase after Raphael and Clary.
Groaning, he forced his eyes to close.
x
"Jace?" He felt someone shaking his shoulder. He blinked and saw a flash of red. Without guessing, he knew it was Clary.
He made a small noise. He could barely talk. The air around him was freezing. "Awe you okay?" Jace shook his head and focused all his energy on her. She was on his bed, sitting where part of his pillow was. Her hair was a mess and Mrs. Seelie must have forgotten to brush it for her. She was pursing her lips. He didn't realize her hand was on his hair until she pulled away. "Mrs. Seelie told evewyone that we can't come hewe. But I came. I knew I had to help you." She looked proud of herself, her cheeks puffed up slightly.
Jace tried to smile. "Cool."
She left his line of vision and he heard rummaging before Clary revealed herself again. She was holding a small sandwich. It looked a little crushed and the peanut butter was slipping out of the bread. "I stole this from the cafetewia." She held it out to him and he took it, straining his head to take a small nibble from it. She grinned.
x
Raphael was sitting on a chair, playing with what looked to be a figurine. He glanced over to him and rose up, his curly hair shaking lightly. "What's up with you, dude?"
Jace shrugged. He felt a little better now. He wasn't cold anymore. "Nurse says it's a fever."
Raphael nodded. "I had one before too."
The two remained silent until Jace realized something."Where's Clary?"
"Oh." Raphael pointed to the door. "Mrs. Seelie found her here and now she's getting a time-out."
Jace's eyes widened. He had gotten Clary in trouble. He hadn't meant to. Raphael noticed his expression and gave him a small smile. "It's okay. You know, Clary didn't even care. She was laughing."
The thought of Clary acting rebellious made his stomach churn in delight. "You should go. I don't want to get you in the corner too."
Raphael didn't argue. He gave him a pat on the shoulder and disappeared.
x
After what seemed like forever, Jace finally rejoined his friends as they were coloring in a classroom. Clary noticed him first and sent him a thumps up, her fingers spotted with different colors and hues. He sat beside Raphael who punched him on the arm and grumbled about his ripped up paper. Jace laughed at the ugly drawing and grabbed a few supplies to make his own.
As Mrs. Seelie clapped her hands together and signalled for everyone to start cleaning up, Raphael yanked Clary to them and whispered harshly. "Don't forget. Today's visiting day. Go to the boys bathroom after lunch." He turned to Jace. "Tell Maia." His hand suddenly grasped Clary's. She looked alarmed. The idea of someone stealing her away had always haunted her. "You stay with me, Clary." She nodded obediently. They separated as teachers organized them into short lines.
x
Jace pushed open the boys bathroom slowly and slipped inside, narrowly missing the janitor walking behind him. He turned to see them all crouching and smiled in relief. Everyone had made it, even Maia. He slid slowly to the ground against the door. It couldn't lock so it was his turn to keep it closed today. He watched as Maia traced invisible doodles on Clary's skin. Clary had her eyes closed. She seemed to be guessing what Maia was drawing. Raphael was pacing the small space quietly. He wasn't paying attention to anyone.
Something jolted him upwards. A small knock on the door. Clary whimpered and Raphael instantly had his hand against her mouth. Jace looked to him for guidance. Raphael placed a finger on his lips. Be quiet. Jace nodded, squeezing himself into the door harder.
The knock came again and Maia cowered under her arms. "It's me. Seb." Jace's eyes widened and he twisted the door knob just a bit so the older boy could get in. Sebastian's face was angry. He was scowling, his dark orbs watery. It was Clary who took his hand. She didn't ask him anything, but everyone in the room wondered what was happening. His voice sounded strangled. "They took Eric."
x
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