It was halfway through the first week of school and there had been no major problems yet. A few arguements, yes, but no real fights and it seemed like the students, and teachers, were starting to get along with each other.

Sheri was sitting in History, listening to Boone lecture on Christopher Columbus. She was resting her cheek against one palm and was staring at the notes written on the blackboard. She silently willed class to come to an end. She had only picked at her breakfast, though she knew how dangerous it was for her not to eat properly, and now she really needed some food.

"Sheridan, tell me where Columbus was intending to reach when he discovered the new world," Boone said, thinking she was daydreaming.

She didn't answer.

"Sheridan!"

Still no answer.

"SHERIDAN YOAST!!" He was practically yelling now. "WHEN I ASK YOU A QUESTION I EXPECT AN ANSWER!"

Julius reached out to touch her and get her attention.

Her hands were shaking and she was taking short shallow breaths.

"Coach, she's sick!" He announced.

"What?"

"She's shaking and don't look too good," Julius explianed.

Knowing what was wrong, Alan shot to his feet and out the door to get Coach.

"Julius," Gerry yelled, trying to get up to them. "Get her purse. She should have some sugar or chocolate in it. Get it and give it to her. Quick!"

Julius hesitated at the thought of going through someone else's property.

"Man, do it! She's diabetic and having an insulin reaction."

At that, both Boone and Julius snapped into action. Julius grabbed her purse and began looking through it. Gerry got to her.

"Sheridan." He placed on hand on her shoulder, and tried to push her chin up with the other.

"Stop it, Gerry, leave me alone." She slapped at his hands.

Boone paid no attention to her fighting. He caught her hands and held them still. "It's all right, Sheri."

"There's nothing in here," Julius said, holding out her purse.

"Uh-oh." Gerry turned pale. He knew she needed sugar and Coach hadn't got there yet.

"I have some candy," Louie offered, holding out a Hershey's kiss.

Boone let go of Sheri's hands to take and unwrap it.

"Sheri, I want you to eat this, you hear." Boone said, sternly.

She pushed his hand and the treat away from her. "I want my Daddy."

"Alan's gone to get him." He hoped. "Now, I'm not having this foolishness. Stop it, right now."

He caught and held both of her hands in one of his, then put the candy in her mouth.

"Sheridan, chew it up."

Boone looked up to see Bill standing behind him. He was never more glad to see any man in his life. He gladly stepped back and let Coach handle this situation.

The sugar began working its way through Sheridan's blood and calming her down, making her more rational. She did as she was told.

"There now," he soothed, rubbing her cheek. "You're alright. Just a little too much insulin that's all. You're fine."

"Is she going to be all right?" Boone interrupted.

"Yes, fine," he answered. "Just go on with your class." Normalcy was very important to Sheridan and he knew she would be embrassed enough already, without seein everyone staring at her. "Please?"

Boone nodded, sensing now wasn't the time to argue.

"Come on, Sweetheart. You need something more than a piece of chocolate in your stomach." He helped her to stand. She was thankful he was holding her tightly. Her legs felt like rubber and the last thing she wanted to do was bust her butt after the scene before, then everyone really would think she was a spaz.

"I'll get her things, Coach," Gerry volunteered, looking to Boone for permission to leave the room, and praying it would be granted. He needed to see for himself that she was okay again. Boone nodded, and Gerry gathered up her books and purse and followed them out the door.

Boone went straight out to check on Sheri when class was over. He couldn't believe he had yelled at her and she was sick. Maybe he was too hard sometimes.

He needn't have worried, though. She was sitting at Yoast's desk, eating lunch and getting a lecture on skipping meals from her Dad. She was mortified. She would never skip another meal when she had school.

"You need to keep sugar cubes in your bag," Boone added. "They work better than chocolate. You should also tell your teacher you are diabetic. It would help in case this happens again. That said, I'm sorry for yelling at you. I really thought you were daydreaming or something."

"That's okay, Coach Boone. Sorry I forgot to tell you. I'm used to everyone knowing already. But how do you know about the sugar cubes?" Sheri replied, thankful for the interruption to Coach's sermon. She had gotten the point.

"My sister closest to me has diabetes," he answered. "She lives a perfectly normal life with it, and if you take care of yourself, you will, too."

"Yes, sir," she smiled.

Part 6 coming soon. For all of those inerest, it will be about Gerry.

Julia