Shadu: You guys like it, you really like it. sniff I'm so happy. Here's the second chapter of many to come.

Ch. 2: Relapse

"How are you feeling Joseph?" Mrs. Dobbs asked thirty minutes after Joey had come in.

"Better I think," Joey responded, sitting up and looking at the middle-aged nurse.

"Do you think you'll be alright?" Mrs. Dobbs question as she crossed to Joey and felt his forehead.

"Yeah," Joey nodded, standing to his feet when Mrs. Dobbs had removed her hand.

Strength had been restored to his legs. They were still a little shaky, almost as if he had just walked off the stage of a play, but he could still walk without assistance.

"I'm sorry I snapped at ya Mrs. Dobbs," Joey ducked his head before he left. "It's just, my health's a touchy subject, ya know?"

"I understand and don't worry about it," Mrs. Dobbs shrugged with a smile. "Now get going."

Joey smiled back and walked out of the nurse's office. With each step down the hallway, his legs became stronger. And he retraced his steps back to Ms. Graison's class to retrieve his left books.

He quietly opened the door to see Ms. Graison up in front of the class, teaching with the same dignity and passion she always did, even if the students didn't share her feelings. Joey did have to hand that too her. However, Ms. Graison stopped when she saw Joey in the doorway and went to meet him.

"I'm here to get my books," Joey stated in a low voice.

"Yes, here they are," Ms. Graison turned to pick up the book and notebook that rested on the counter beside her and handed them to Joey, and after a pause, asked, "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, it was just one of those freak accidents," Joey confirmed, taking the offered supplies.

"Okay then, see you tomorrow," Ms. Graison told Joey and then went back to teaching, leaving Joey to be on his way.

Joey walked to his locker, exchanged his books for another, and went to his current hour, which he also shared with Tristan. It was weird, Joey thought, that the councilors had put Tristan and himself into so many classes together, even with their reputation. Joey chuckled. Sometimes they didn't know which way was up.

Handing his pass to the teacher, Joey moved to his spot by Tristan and sat down, pulling his book, out and setting it on his desk.

"Hey there Joey," Tristan greeted in a whisper. "Page forty-five," he added.

"Uh, thanks," Joey replied, a little taken back.

Joey opened his book to the allotted pat and scanned it, completely lost as to where they were.

"Problem number ten," Tristan helpfully informed.

"Tris, why are you being so nice?" Joey asked, suspicion filling his voice.

"What do you mean pal?" Tristan gave his clueless look in a voice much too sweet for Tristan.

"That's it, what's goin' on?" Joey hissed. "Do you know somethin' I don't?" Joey's eyes widened. "Am I dyin'? Oh, that's it, isn't it? I knew it! I'm dyin'," Joey moaned.

"Whatever gave you that idea?" Tristan answered.

"You're being too nice," Joey stated.

"How so?" Tristan challenged.

"You haven't made a single wise-crack or joke yet," Joey counted. "You're being too helpful, and you're just not being Tristan."

"You're right, I was being nice, but I thought you'd appreciate it after last hour," Tristan defended.

"Just don't, okay Tris?" Joey pleaded. "You make me worry when you're nice like that."

"It won't happen again unless you're really dyin'," Tristan promised.

Joey had a hard time keeping his mind on the subject at hand. Something was nagging, gnawing at his mind. The attack earlier today kept bothering him. But why? It had happened before. Granted it hadn't been as severe, but he shouldn't be worrying about it. Still, he couldn't get the feeling of it out of his head. He couldn't make himself forget how it felt to have his chest tightened like that. It was the worst attack so far. It made him wonder what would happen next time? Or maybe that was the last time. Wishful thinking, he admitted, but he had to have some hope to hold onto in the storm.

Before Joey was really ready to go back into the hustle and bustle of the school hallways, the bell rang, releasing them from their current classes and releasing Joey to lunch. Stopping by his locker, Joey picked up his book for his next hour after dropping off the unneeded supplies and went to the cafeteria, only to stand in line for fifteen minutes. He ended up only eating about half of his food and sitting away from his friends. He wasn't feeling well and didn't want to socialize today. He just wasn't hungry or happy. What was happening to him?

Joey was walking to his class after barely touching his lunch when he felt it. It was like someone had put a belt around his chest and was pulling on it. He stopped in the hallway, dropping his books and bracing himself against the wall with one hand, the other flying to his chest. He could barely breathe this time. Calls rang out in the hallways. Calls from fellow students fell on deaf ears as Joey's vision clouded over and he fell into darkness.

Shadu: Sorry about the long wait. I just hadn't sat down and typed it. I'm going to try harder.

Review answers:

Melukia: Thanks. Hope you're still interested. Sorry about the wait…

LIZ: Glad you like it.

Randomreviewer: I hope I am…I've already written most of it on notebook paper.

Ayako Kadori: Would you like to hug Joey? Would Joey like a hug? Hmm…

Una 1: If you think it's good now, wait until it really gets going.

Setmarka: Well, it doesn't center around Joey through the whole story. I think once it gets farther, you'll like it better, knowing you.

Joeyluver-dragonofra: Oh yes, spell checker is my friend. I'm not actually a good speller myself, but I cover it up.

Ryua Malfoy: Yeah, he does deserve a good life, or a least a better one. Thankfully, his dad won't be interrupting this time.

Me: YOU! Glad you like it! I'll keep you posted.

Neha: Here's your promised update.

Shadu: Thanks a billion to everyone that reviewed. Now, could you do it again?