=Normal POV=
(Thursday, 1/4/2019-6:00 am)
(Archian Island, Berk)
(Strondsen Home)
Nicole woke up to the chiming of her get up and ready for school alarm, promptly at 6 am. Groaning, the black-haired female sat up slowly and silenced her phone by tapping the button to hush the signal until tomorrow morning. Nicole took a moment to focus and gage where she was at since the night hadn't been easy to tackle. Nicole slept from when Hunter brought her home to about 4:00 pm, where she was awakened by her father, Keith, who had left work a bit early to check on her. Nicole admitted to still not feeling well, and Keith confirmed that she was still warm and running a slight fever. Keith told her to continue resting and they'd see how she felt at dinner time, Nicole nodded and he left the room. She decided to use the bathroom and quickly check her messages, seeing at least one from each friend to ask how she was doing or if she was okay. There were a couple from Hunter, one to let her know he was back at school, another when the school day ended and wondering if how she was. Then there was another one recent of just Hunter saying he loved her and hoped she felt better soon, and if she did, perhaps they could go on a date this weekend since he didn't have a game, nor work. Nicole popped into the group Skype message to let everyone know she still felt bad, and was going back to sleep.
When dinner came around, it was her mother, Ella, to check on her around 6:30 pm. Nicole's fever had gone up to 100.2, but she felt okay enough to get up and eat something as the nausea and headache seemed to fade. Unfortunately, it didn't last. Less than halfway through her meal; the nausea began to creep back up. Nicole pushed it back to try and eat a bit more; she regretted it instantly when her stomach started to hurt, so that's when she pushed the plate away slightly and refused to eat more. Nicole cleared her area after excusing herself from the table and returned to her bed, but not bothering to check her phone at all; she just ended up falling right to sleep by 7:00 pm. When 10:15 pm hit, Nicole woke again feeling worse. The headache and nausea were back harder than before, her stomach bothered her and she was still exhausted despite all the sleep she'd gotten. Nicole only used the bathroom, brushed her teeth, and returned to sleep by 10:45 pm. But now, it was the next morning and she safely assumed she was actually sick. Nicole just didn't feel well, and figured it was probably not worth it to even go to school today. At the same time, she decided she would see how she felt after a shower.
. . .
(6:45 am)
The shower didn't help. In fact, Nicole didn't even make it through a full one. Five minutes into being under the water and she instantly felt sick to her stomach, Nicole ended up outside the tub/shower with the towel around her as she knelt over the toilet bowl. Nothing ever came up, but it had felt like it would and Nicole hadn't wanted to take a chance of puking in the shower. When a few moments passed and things settled, Nicole returned under the water, quickly finishing her hair and body. Nicole got out and dressed while sitting on the edge of her bed when a knock came on her door.
"Yeah, come in…" Nicole replied, ignoring the pounding in her head. The door opened to reveal both parents there, her mother came beside her.
"How do you feel this morning, sweetie?" Ella inquired.
"Worse…" Nicole admitted. "All the same symptoms as yesterday, just worse. Almost threw up in the shower…"
Keith was leaning against the door frame as Ella checked her forehead and cheek. "Well?" Keith asked.
"She's still warm, hun." Ella revealed. "If we send her to school, she will likely just get sent home again later. I think it's just best to have her stay home today." She suggested.
"Which one of us is calling out of work?" Keith questioned now.
"You guys don't have to call out…I can stay home by myself. I'm just gonna be in bed resting, or up to use the bathroom…" Nicole stated, not wanting them to miss work over her and the fact she was about to be eighteen; she didn't need to be babysit because she was sick.
"Are you sure, dear?" Ella looked at her daughter now. Nicole nodded to them. "Well, I suppose that would be okay…"
"She's old enough to be home alone, El." Keith responded, walking in to check Nicole's temperature with his hand now. "Definitely a fever. Alright. Rest as much as you can, stay on water. Keep the doors locked, and check in with us through the day. I'll inform the school, and perhaps one of your friends can collect missed work and bring it over after we're home tonight. I am going to agree with your school nurse and assume this could be a stomach bug, based on how your symptoms have come on and seem to be worsening. If so, I expect you'll be missing school tomorrow as well, and be able to recover over the weekend."
"Just in time for midterms…" Nicole mentioned. "Good…I don't want to miss those. I probably won't miss much work; it's mostly review for midterms. I can message Hunter or Fisher to get anything that needs to be done; those two are both in all my classes…"
"Alright, you do that and then lay down to get some more sleep. And let's get you some Tylenol for that fever, and any pain." Ella said gently as she kissed Nicole's forehead and got to her feet to leave with Keith, they closed the door behind them.
Nicole sighed softly as she just changed into a fresh set of pajamas, then got herself back under the covers. Nicole was smart and grabbed the trashcan by her desk, as a precaution in case she felt the need to vomit again and couldn't make it to the bathroom in time. Nicole just laid there, trying to rest for about fifteen minutes, now making the time 7:00 am. Her mother returned to the room to say she was called out of school, and had brought her a water bottle and the fever reducer that doubled as pain reliever too. Keith came in to let Nicole know that they were headed off to work and if she needed anything, or got worse to let them know. Also, her father mentioned watching her temperature to make sure it didn't get too high. Nicole assure she would do as they asked and then they left the house. Glancing at her phone, she saw the time to be 7:20 am.
I should call Hunter… Nicole thought as she reached for her phone and noticed that she now had messages from Heather and Hunter mainly, wondering if she was alright. But most of those had come in last night around 11 pm. Hunter's had included a I love you and goodnight babe. Nicole closed down messages and brought up calls; she clicked on Hunty and let it dial out, then start ringing.
. . .
=Hunter's POV=
(7:20 am)
(Berkian Academy)
I felt that my girlfriend had to be sick when she didn't answer many messages last night. I hoped she was feeling better today and would be at school, but I was with my friends near the breezeway and we hadn't seen her at all. I wondered if she would be home sick or coming in late. While standing with the others; I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket and figured it was a text, but I was wrong. This was a call coming in. I pulled my phone from my pocket and saw it was Nicole calling me; I now have her in my phone as Milady.
"What's wrong, Hunter?" Mindy wondered.
"Hm? Nothing. Nikki's calling me…" I replied as I slid the icon over to answer and set it at my ear. "Good morning, Milady. How are you feeling today?"
"Unfortunately, worse than yesterday…" Nicole responded softly and clearly still tired as I picked up on. I frowned.
"I take it you're not coming to school today then?" I questioned, already knowing the answer.
"No. My fever is higher, and all the symptoms seemed to increase overnight…I almost threw up in the shower this morning. Mom and dad decided it was best I stay home, to avoid me going and then getting sent home again. They've gone to work, so I'm here alone right now and in bed with water, and Tylenol for fever and pain…I'm sorry." Nicole revealed, sounding guilty for not being able to come into school today.
"Babe, don't apologize. It's okay, everyone gets sick. And I know that better than anyone with how bad my immune system is…" I tried to lighten her mood a little and earned a small giggle as my reward. "It's better for you to be home and resting if you feel this bad. I can collect any work from today and drop it off later for you on my way home, I don't have practice or work tonight."
"That's…Actually what I was calling about. To ask if you'd get any work we have to do tonight for me. Mom and Dad said someone could drop it off once they are home from work. I know you and Fisher are in all my classes, but out of you both; I knew you'd do it because I'm also your girlfriend…" Nicole said.
"I planned to grab work for you last night. I kind'a had a feeling with the little responses I got from you that you might not come in today." I informed softly. "I'd be happy to bring it by once they're home, just shoot me a message when."
"Thank you. You're the best, and I really appreciate it…I'm…Not sure I'll be in tomorrow either." Nicole stated.
"That sick are you? Either of your parents know what it might be? I know they're both in the medical field and probably gave their best opinions to what it could be?" I asked.
"Nurse said yesterday that it could be food poisoning since it all came on in just a few hours, but she also said the symptoms for that would be worse. So, she settled on stomach bug. And my parents feel the same, or so they said this morning about what they felt was going on. If so…It's only day two, and gonna be worse tomorrow, maybe Saturday too. So, that's why I might not be in tomorrow. Mom and Dad are hoping that it'll be over on Sunday, and I'll be good for Monday when midterms start." Nicole explained lightly, yawning as I smiled a bit.
"You're tired. Go to sleep, babe. I won't keep you up, and the warning bell is about to ring anyway. You…Want me to call you at lunch? Or shoot you a text to check in?" I wondered.
"Uhhh. I've been sleeping a lot…So message me, and if I don't reply; I'm likely asleep. And if I get up before-" Nicole suddenly stopped talking.
"Babe?" I asked, checking the call to make sure it was still connected. "Babe, you there?" I tried. I could hear noise on her end, but I couldn't quite make it out. Finally, I heard coughing and her groaning. I felt bad and suspected that she might have thrown up and that's why she stopped talking. I could hear her trying to catch her breath and whimper a little; I wish I was there to take care of her. I don't feel she should be home alone while going into the heat of a stomach bug.
"Is she okay?" Heather asked softly.
I shook my head at her gently. "I don't think so. I can still hear her, but it's far away. I think the nausea hit again…" I said lightly. After a few moments; I heard her voice getting closer again.
"I'm…So sorry…" Nicole stated. "That snuck up on me…"
"Baby girl, why are you apologizing for being sick? It happens to everyone. At least you're at home and not here at school with it going on, right? Are you okay?" I questioned.
"For now," Nicole replied with a sigh. "Not so bad once I get it up…"
"I understand; that's usually how it goes. But, same point I made; you should be resting. I'll get your work for you, and bring it by tonight once you say it's okay to. And if you happen to get up before lunch hour, let me know and I'll give you a call to check in." I told her.
"Okay, sounds good. I'll talk to you later, Hunty." Nicole responded softly.
"Talk to you soon, Milady. Sleep well, and if you need anything…Let me know?" I reminded quickly.
"I will. Bye, baby." Nicole responded. That made my heart pound fast; Nicole hadn't really used any of the relationship, like saying babe, baby, etc., names with me since we started dating. I was hoping she would come around to it when she got more comfortable with her feelings towards me, since she admitted to not knowing if she loved me or not because she never felt love outside of what she had for her parents. And the other relationships seemed more like…Infatuation, new experience, or just…Convenient. Things weren't like that with Nicole and I, so I really hoped things worked out and she was starting to see that what I feel for her is love, and how a relationship should be and feel like.
"Bye, babe." I said before the call ended from her side first. I clicked the lock button and slid my phone away into my pocket once ensuring it was on silent, but still a light vibration. I wanted to make sure I didn't miss any messages from her. "Well, she's off to rest." I chuckled some.
"I hope she feels better soon. Poor thing…" Heather frowned.
"I'm sure she will, Heather. The nurse yesterday, and her parents this morning think it's a stomach bug. That can last a couple days, so she feels that it's gonna last til about Sunday and she'll be okay for Monday. Well, that's what she said her parents believe, at least. Guess you can't argue with the doctor and paramedic, can you?" I shrugged.
"True." A few of my friends responded and the rest nodded in agreement. Just after this happened, the warning bell sounded and we broke off to get to our first period class. All the while, I was just hoping Nicole would feel maybe a bit better later on.
. . .
=Normal POV=
(5:00 pm)
(Strondsen Home)
Nicole kept getting worse as the day dragged on. After the call with Hunter; she got comfortable and fell asleep until about 12:15 pm. Nicole couldn't believe she slept five hours, but didn't feel like she got more than two. Immediately after waking, Nicole used the bathroom, went to wash her hands, then leave the room…But ended up turned right around and ended up puking twice. Nicole sat on the floor near the toilet bowl for about six minutes, trying not to vomit again. Sadly, just a minute later; it happened again. Finally, the nausea settled and Nicole felt like was able to get back in bed after brushing her teeth to get the awful taste out. Nicole did text Hunter that she was awake, but let him know she had thrown up three times and the headache was turning into a migraine, so would be going to get back to resting and they could talk later. Nicole did also check in with both parents in a group message for just them; relaying the same information about throwing up and getting back into bed. Nicole managed to sleep until 2:45 pm this time, waking up to a text from Hunter that there was some work for school and to let him know when he could bring it by.
Nicole told him she'd let him know and reported that she still wasn't feeling great. Nicole updated her parents too; she laid awake for a bit until 3:15 pm when the nausea acted up. Nicole didn't puke right away; it held off five minutes before she only had time to grab the beside trash can so it wouldn't end up on her bed or her. Nicole let it all pass before she got rid of the bag and returned to her bed once she used the bathroom and washed out her mouth again. Nicole stayed up until 4:00 pm and knocked out again, only to wake at 4:30, check her messages and reply to a few before knocking out again until now, by the doorbell ringing, at 5:00 pm as she noticed on her phone screen.
"What?...Who would be here? Mom and Dad would have used their keys…" Nicole asked as she got herself out of bed slowly, careful not to jostle herself and being back the nausea. Nicole exited her room and reached the main door, checking the peephole to see Hunter standing there. Why was he there, though? She said she'd let him know when to come by and drop the work off. Regardless, it would be rude to ignore him, so she unlocked the door and opened it up. "Hi, Hunter…What are you doing here, babe? My…Parents aren't home yet."
"Oh…Well, your text said to come around 5 pm?..." Hunter revealed as Nicole blinked a bit. Hunter got his phone out and opened their messages to show her the last one she sent to him.
Milady, 4:45 pm
You can come over
Nicole wanted to face-palm, but refrained in case it made the headache worse. "That's…When I dozed off again and never finished the message. I must have pressed send as I fell asleep…It was supposed to say come over at 5:45-6-ish. Mom and Dad get in around 5:30, so that would have given them time to settle in from work and me let them know you were gonna drop by to give me my missed work…"
"Well, I'm already here. I can just hand you the work and head off back home. If they ask how you already got it, say I dropped it off on the porch when I was coming home from school and left you a message that I did and you went outside to grab it?" Hunter offered, not wanting to get her into trouble with her parents for him being there without them present.
"Guess that can-," Nicole started as she felt the nausea hit her. Nicole jerked a bit, almost seeming like a hiccup as she closed her eyes and tried to keep the vomit from rising. Nicole took a breath as she went to finish her sentence to Hunter, but it didn't last. The same motions happened again, this time, forcing Nicole to bring a hand to her mouth and quickly turn back into the house to rush for the bathroom in her bedroom. Nicole barely had time to open the lid to the toilet before she couldn't hold it back anymore and threw up.
Hunter felt awful, and he stood there outside her home's door listening to the distanced vomiting of his girlfriend. Hiccup could hear her coughing and whimpering. Still Hunter didn't want to just stand there with the door to her house open. It was January and it was cold; he had to assume the Strondsen's had their heat going and right now, it was going outside. Hiccup stepped inside after wiping his shoes on the mat; he closed the door quietly and remained where he was for a few moments. "Nikki, are you okay?" Hunter called out to his girlfriend. His response was her vomiting again, so he took it as a no. Hunter might get in trouble for this, but he couldn't just stand there and listen. It was clear Nicole needed some kind of comfort while sick, and he didn't like that she'd been left alone to deal with all this. Hunter shifted in more, remember the way to Nicole's room as he walked past the frame and found where her bathroom door was; it had been left open as he peered around the corner to see her kneeling on the floor over the bowl.
Nicole's head was facing the wall and laying on her arm as she was trying to take even breaths to calm the nausea down. Hunter set the folder with her work in it down on the desk before going into the bathroom and getting to the ground lower to put one hand on her shoulder and the other rubbing her back a little. The surprise of someone being in the bathroom with her showed when she quickly turned a bit to see Hunter there. "Wh-What are you doing in here?!" Nicole asked instantly.
"I figured you might need some help or comfort, so I came inside. You shouldn't be home alone while going into the worst of all this…And I know when I'm sick, all I want is someone next to me to rub my back and tell me that it'll be okay. Especially if I'm stuck in the bathroom throwing up…Also, you left me outside with the door open and I don't think you're parents wouldn't appreciate the heat being let out…I know what you said about them not wanting anyone in the house when they aren't around, more so if it's a boy…But if they can't see anything else right now; I hope they'd understand that I'm just trying to help you like any good boyfriend, or even just friend, since they don't know we're dating, would do." Hunter informed gently, still rubbing her back.
It was one of the sweetest things Nicole had ever heard, and had her so distracted along with the light back rub he was providing that she didn't feel any nausea right now. And if she weren't afraid of the nausea sparking up again on a quick move; she would have turned around quickly to hug him tightly and kiss his cheek. Of course, all that disappeared and was replaced by nervousness when she happened to glance past Hunter and see her parents standing in the doorway of the bathroom; they looked shocked. Well, her mother did. Her father, on the other hand, looked like he was ready to kill. "What is the meaning of this!?" Keith raged, causing Hunter to realize that they were not alone and he probably just revealed the relationship between him and their daughter while they were standing right there. If there was ever a time he wanted to disappear from existence…It was now.
