Tidus smiled when he saw Clasko Jr. was in his Chemistry class. He sat at the lab table beside the brunette and smiled.

"Surprised to see you here." He said.

Clasko smiled. "I gave up one of my option classes to take Chem instead. I want to get a head start."

"That's...good I think. Want to be lab partners?"

"Sure, but...are you ok? You look awful."

Tidus smiled sheepishly. "I got drunk for the first time at a party last night. Now I'm paying for it."

To the blonde's surprise Clasko groaned and thunked his head on the table.

"The new guy got invited to Gippal Ibanez's party and I didn't? I really am a loser. No offense Tidus."

"None taken, but why did you want to go so bad?"

"So people would notice I'm alive."

Tidus smiled softly. "I notice that you're alive."

"Thanks." Clasko smiled back.

"Give me your phone number." Tidus said. "If I get invited to another party I'll call and invite you."

"Really?"

"M-hm."

"Thanks Tidus."

"No problem."

"You're really nice."

Clasko ripped a sheet of paper out of his binder and wrote his name and phone number on it. He folded it in half and handed it to Tidus.

"You said you wanted people to notice you're alive...is there anyone specific you want to notice?" Tidus asked, tucking the paper into his backpack.

Clasko shook his head, "Not at the moment, no."

"Just want to make some friends, hmn?"

"Yeah. I only had one friend last year and she moved away."

"I can understand. It's always been hard for me to make friends. To tell you the truth I was very surprised to make friends with you and Lulu. Two new friends in one day is a record for me."

The brunette smiled. "Got you beat. One new friend in one day is a record for me."

The pair laughed until the teacher entered the room and cleared his throat. Tidus tried to listen to the teacher but there was a dull throbbing in his head that wasn't going away. By the time the teacher stopped talking Tidus had no idea what to do. He looked at Clasko sheepishly.

"Clasko..."

"It's ok. I understand. I'll do the actual chemical mixing and tell you what to write in our lab."

"I'm so sorry."

"Hey, it's ok. Don't worry about it."

So Clasko mixed the chemicals and dictated the notes to Tidus. The blonde seemed to be nearing the worst part of his hangover. The dull throb in his head had turned into a roaring pain. Clasko looked him over once they were finished their first experiment.

"Tidus...you really look bad. Maybe you should go to the nurse's office."

Tidus nodded weakly, "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea."

"Do you want me to take you there?"

"No, it's ok."

The blonde got to his feet and swallowed hard. His mouth and throat were dry as cotton and a sheen of sweat beaded on his skin. He approached the teacher's desk and cleared his throat slightly.

"Can I go to the nurse's office please? I'm not feeling well."

Mr. Cole looked up and Tidus. He looked the pale boy over and nodded.

"Yes. Go ahead."

"Thank-you."

Suddenly the blonde felt hot and cold at the same time. He somehow managed to gather his things and leave the classroom.

I think I'm going to faint...

Tidus stumbled slightly. He felt immensely unbalanced and woozy.

"Hey, are you all right?" Someone asked.

The teen was vaguely aware of strong arms catching him before he blacked out.

When Tidus opened his eyes he felt much better. His vision cleared and he saw that he was lying on a cot in the nurse's office. Rin was there, smiling down at him worriedly.

"Hi honey. How do you feel?" Rin asked.

"Not bad. What happened?"

"You fainted." The nurse replied. "That student carried you here and I phoned your parental contact."

Tidus lifted his head up to see Wakka standing sort-of in the doorway.

"I knew I should have kept you home from school." Rin said. "Being sick in this heat probably didn't help you."

"It's ok, Rin." Tidus replied. "It's not your fault."

"Keep him hydrated and comfortably cool." The nurse said. "And make sure he gets plenty of rest."

"Wakka?" Rin asked. "Could you help me?"

"Sure thing." Wakka answered, entering the office.

Rin and the nurse helped Tidus to his feet. The blonde's legs felt rubbery. His knees buckled and he nearly fell. Wakka and Rin caught him by the arms.

"I'll just carry him. You lead the way." Wakka said to Rin.

Before Tidus could protest Wakka scooped him up in his arms and followed Rin down the hall.

"What about Shuyin?" Tidus asked. "He'll wonder where I am."

"I'm in Shuyin's class." Wakka replied. "I'll fill him in."

"Oh...okay. Thank-you."

"No problem."

Wakka carried Tidus to the awaiting cab. Rin got in the vehicle and helped Wakka get Tidus inside.

"Get lots of rest, eh kid?" Wakka said.

"I will. Thanks." Tidus said, closing the door.

The blonde sighed heavily and leaned against Rin. The man stroked Tidus' hair and told the cabby to head home. By the time they reached home a bit of strength had returned to Tidus' legs. Rin paid the cab driver, helped Tidus out of the cab, and into the house. He took the blonde into his and Auron's bedroom and plopped him down on the bed.

"Are you feeling guilty, Rin?" Tidus asked. "I haven't used your guys' bed as a sick bed since I was a kid."

Rin smiled and turned the overhead fan on to a low setting. "Yes, I'm feeling guilty. Plus you need plenty of rest and our bed is the comfiest."

That was true enough. Tidus smiled slightly and snuggled Auron's pillow.

"Do you want anything to drink or eat?"

"Could I just have a glass of water please?"

"Sure." Rin nodded. "I'll be right back."

Tidus lay there on his parents' bed. The fan above created a nice breeze that soothed his hot skin. The blonde hadn't really realized how tired he was until he lay down. Tidus took a deep breath and sighed. Auron and Rin's sides of the bed smelled so different. Auron's smelled like aftershave and rain. Rin's side smelled like apples and cinnamon. Tidus scooted into the middle of the bed and got comfy.

When Rin returned a few minutes later with a glass of water Tidus was fast asleep. He set it on his nightstand and gently stroked Tidus' hair. The blonde returned to the kitchen and the phone rang. Rin sighed softly and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey. What's going on? My secretary told me that the school called."

Oh that's right. Auron is the primary contact. They must've called him first.

"Tidus fainted at school. He's home now though. He's sleeping at the moment."

"Is he ok?" Auron asked.

"Yeah. He has a touch of the flu and the classroom was just too hot for him. The nurse said to keep him cool, give him lots of fluids, and let him rest."

"Okay. I'll come home early."

"It's ok, Auron..."

"I can hear the shiver in your tone, Rin. You're upset. I want to be there to comfort you."

"You're making me blush."

Auron chuckled. "Good. I'll see you in a few hours."

"Okay."

"Bye Rin."

"Goodbye Auron."

The two hung up and Rin sighed again.

------------------

Tidus awoke to the sound of someone coming in the front door.

"How is he?" He heard Auron ask.

"He's still sleeping. I was about to wake him for lunch. He's in our bed."

Auron chuckled softly, "Feeling guilty, Rin? We haven't had a sick kid in our bed since Tidus and Shuyin were young."

The blonde sighed heavily. "Yes I feel guilty. What if that boy hadn't left his classroom to use the restroom? He wouldn't have been there to catch Tidus and he could've fallen and hit his head..."

"But that's not what happened." Auron interrupted. "Don't worry about it and certainly don't feel guilty about it."

Tidus lightly closed his eyes when he heard footsteps approaching. Someone entered the bedroom and sighed softly. It was Auron. The man walked over and sat on the bed, shaking Tidus' shoulder gently.

"Tidus. Wake up. Rin made lunch."

Tidus "mmn"ed and yawned. He slowly opened his eyes and smiled.

"How are you feeling, kiddo?" Auron asked.

"Better."

"This move was hard on you, huh?"

"Now don't you start feeling guilty. I'm fine. I'm just coming down with something and the classroom was too hot."

Auron messed Tidus' hair and nodded. "Come have some lunch."

The man helped Tidus to his feet and into the kitchen. Rin had made soup and sandwiches for lunch. The blonde was starved, but he only ate one sandwich and his soup. He didn't want to eat too much at the moment and make himself sick for real. Once lunch was over he went back to bed. This time he cuddled Rin's pillow until he dozed off.

---------------------

Tidus slept peacefully. He didn't wake until the bed shifted.

"Hey T."

Tidus smiled sleepily at his older brother. "Hi."

Shuyin moved to lay behind Tidus and hugged him close. "You ok?"

"Yeah." The blonde smiled. "I feel much better now that I've slept and had some food."

"That's good." Shuyin pressed a kiss to Tidus' cheek. "Scared the shit out of me. Wakka told me that when you stumbled up to him you were completely white and your eyes were all glassy..."

"I'm fine now, Shu."

"Please don't get that drunk ever again." Shuyin whispered.

"Don't worry. I learned my lesson." Tidus whispered back.

Shuyin breathed a sigh of relief and hugged Tidus again.

"CJ sent your Chem homework home with me." He chuckled. "And that girl you hang out with decked Gippal for giving you so many drinks."

Tidus laughed, "That sounds like Lulu all right."

"T?"

"Mmn?"

"I think I'm in like."

"With who?"

"Lenne Ishida."

"The head cheerleader?"

"That's her."

"I saw her at Gippal's party. She's very pretty."

"Beautiful." Shuyin sighed.

Tidus smiled and gently nudged his brother in the ribs. "Remember what happened the last time you fell in like?"

"Right. Found out that she was a total cow beneath that sexy exterior."

"Just take things slow. Get to know her before you ask her out." Tidus said.

"Yes, oh sagely brother of mine." Shuyin grinned, tickling the younger blonde's sides.

Tidus laughed and squirmed away from Shuyin, sitting up. Rin walked into the room and smiled.

"Feeling better, Tidus?"

"Yes. Very much so."

"Well...why don't you get Shuyin to take you to the beach? You can get some fresh air until supper."

"That sounds like a good idea." Shuyin replied, bouncing off the bed.

The blonde laughed as Shuyin slung him over his shoulder. Rin shook his head.

"Be gentle with him, Shuyin. He isn't 100 yet."

"Yeah, yeah. I'll take care of him." Shuyin smirked, smacking Tidus on the behind.

"Ow! You jerk!" Tidus chuckled, slapping Shuyin on the shoulder.

Rin shook his head again and watched Shuyin bounce out the door, Tidus still slung over his shoulder.

"Those two are quite a pair. I don't know how we managed to get this far without killing one of them." Auron joked.

The blonde laughed and hugged Auron. "Very funny."

I can't get away from it. I always give Auron a twisted sense of humor. Oh well (shrug). R&R Please .