Deep down she knew it was a mistake.

She knew they would find out sooner or later.

Really, what was she thinking? She herself couldn't even answer that question.

Keeping the fact that she was sick from the others was one thing, but it wasn't like she just had a tiny flu; it was full-blown cancer.

"Disgust! What's the hold up?"

I've already made them mad enough today, she thought, maybe they'd go easy on me if I told them the truth.

She glanced at her reflection, and then down at the medicine bottle in her hand. No, she still believed that there were more important things for them to worry about. Riley was about to move to junior high, she still didn't fully understand her feelings towards Jordan, the cafeteria was supposed to serve those gross, moldy-looking hamburgers today...okay, maybe not that last one, but the other two, definitely, and she knew the worries weren't going to stop there.

"DISGUST!"

"I'll be right down," she called back, hiding the bottle back in her dresser.

When she reached the bottom of the ramp, she was met by two disapproving glances by Joy and Anger.

"Once again, it's about time," said Anger, crossing his arms and tapping his foot impatiently, "We already know what look like. You don't need to put nine layers of makeup on every single day."

"Whoever's got Dream Duty tonight and tomorrow, don't worry," Joy said, loud enough for Fear and Sadness to hear, "Disgust is taking both of your shifts."

Disgust ignored them and took her place at the console. On the screen, Riley was in the middle of a science lesson, discussing the anatomy and preparing the dissection of an earthworm.

"While I appreciate the teacher's decision to give everyone plastic knives for this," Fear commented, "I don't think it'll be very effective."

"And I don't think Dawson over there understands the point of this project," Anger added. Across the room, one of Riley's classmates was aggressively stabbing his worm, splattering blood everywhere and almost knocking it off of his desk in the process.

"That poor worm," Sadness moaned, "What could it have possibly done to deserve this?"

"Wow, I can't believe worms have five hearts," Joy exclaimed, "I guess if one of them gives out, it's got a couple extra." Glancing over at Disgust, she was surprised that she wasn't providing her own repulsed commentary. "Hey, Disgust, are you even paying attention," she asked, annoyed, "What is up with you today?"

Disgust was too busy silently agreeing with Sadness's comment. She didn't care that there was blood and visible internal organs in her and Riley's peripheral vision. That worm didn't deserve this kind of abuse. The class had no way of knowing what their worms were going through before they decided to cut them open and see what was inside, as if it would be much of a surprise to find hearts and guts.

The only difference between their predicaments is that she could actually do something about it.

"Guys, there's something that I need to get off my chest."

Everyone's attention turned to Fear, shocked that he was doing something seemingly brave.

"Before you say anything Fear," Disgust interrupted, "I have something to say too."

"You do?" he exclaimed. Maybe she does feel the same way towards me, he thought, though he figured it was unlikely. Still not feeling entirely confident, he told her, "Then why don't you go first?"

Suddenly second-guessing herself, she responded, "No, you go ahead, Fear."

"No, it's okay, you can go first."

"I'd really rather you go first."

"But the expression is 'ladies first,' right?"

This went back and forth for quite a while, before Joy finally put a stop to it. "Alright, you two," she said, "You're both clearly stalling. Fear, you were the first to bring it up. Tell us what's on your mind."

Fear's confidence level dropped significantly when he was put on the spot. "W-well," he stammered. He began to tremble and sweat, almost completely forgetting how to form proper sentences, let alone the specific thing he was trying to say.

When he tried to regain his composure, a commotion suddenly broke out in the classroom.

"Hold that thought, Fear," Joy said, "Looks like somebody just threw up. Disgust, whatever you wanted to tell us can wait. It's time for you to finally do your job today."

Disgust sulked and pushed a button on the console, causing Riley to grimace and turn away from the sight of her vomiting classmate.

Fear was just about to restart his statement, but then shot a glance at his femme fatale. She didn't seem to be on anyone's good side at the moment, and she also didn't appear to be in the best of moods herself. Now was probably not the best time to express his feelings. "Never mind."

When Riley was on the way home from hockey practice that evening, Sadness asked Fear why he chickened out so easily. He let his own emotions get the better of him as he told her, "Because I am a chicken, okay? I am the living embodiment of fear, for Pete's sake! There's no possible way I'll ever be able to tell her how I feel, and you know what, maybe that's for the best! She's been nothing but a brat anyway today."

Sadness flinched at his sudden outburst; he had never snapped at anyone like that. She was disappointed to hear that he had given up so quickly, but part of her also agreed with him. Disgust had quite the reputation for being sarcastic and rude, but it seemed like she had taken it up a notch that day. Actually, come to think of it, she simultaneously appeared to be acting too much and not at all like herself, if it were possible.

Sadness decided to read up on the Mind Manuals a bit before bed, but on her way there, she passed by Disgust, who was sitting on an ottoman. Instead of having her scarf tied around her neck, she had it balled up in her hand, and she was using it to wipe away her tears as she quietly sobbed.

Oh no, she thought, she must've heard what Fear said about her. "Disgust," she asked, cautiously, "What's the matt-"

"Oh, like you care!"

Once again, Sadness flinched as she was yelled at, and watched as her green coworker ran back in the direction of her bedroom, her sobs growing louder.

"I've never seen her act this childish before," Joy mused, "what the heck has gotten into that girl?"

"Eh, whatever it is," Anger muttered, "she'll get over it. I don't expect her to apologize, though."

…

That night during Dream Duty, Disgust was finding it difficult to focus on the dream being broadcasted. She was sitting with her legs crossed at the console, and she was tapping her foot nervously against the floor and taking frequent glances at the digital clock above the console. It was getting closer to the time when she was supposed to take her medication, and she wasn't sure if she would be able to sneak into her room long enough to do so. She finally stood up and carefully made her way to the sleeping quarters, removing her shoes so they didn't click across the floor as she walked. Just as she reached her door...

"And where do you think you're going?"

She cursed under her breath and turned to see Anger standing in the doorway of his room, glaring daggers at her. "You think you're gonna get out of Dream Duty that easily?"

"I just need to get something really quick," she said, "I'll be in and out, I promise."

"Oh no you don't," Anger retorted, "You haven't done anything trustworthy all day. What makes you think that'll change now?" He stomped his foot and pointed back in the direction of the console. "You march your prissy little butt back in front of that monitor."

"But Anger-"

"Now!"

Reluctantly, Disgust finally obliged and went back to the console. By now, the dream had ended, and a new one wasn't set to air for another fifteen minutes. Maybe she could sneak back up there again once she knew everyone was asleep. Anger's snores were pretty easy to pick out.

She began silently reflecting on the day's events to pass the time until then. Sure, she had been late arriving for work in the morning, but it wasn't the first time. Besides, it had been for a good reason.

A reason she refused to tell them about.

She was now mentally kicking herself for being so stupid. You need to tell them, she told herself, you've waited long enough. She was going to slam her fists against the wall in any attempt to get their attention, and she was going to tell them before they even had the chance to yell at her again.

Suddenly, her mind went to all of the things she heard them say about her when they thought she wasn't listening; all she cared about was her appearance, she didn't give a dang about her job, she was nothing but a spoiled brat...

That was the last straw for her. She had enough of it; of them. Sure, she had dug herself this deep on her own, but the others didn't seem a bit concerned with the intensity of her behavior. She expected at least Joy would've asked her if everything was okay, but they all immediately jumped to the wrong conclusion.

Then again, Sadness had tried to ask her what was wrong, hadn't she? And Disgust just blew her off...

No. No more flip-flopping on this. She couldn't do it anymore. She didn't care what the doctor had said. Screw her appointments! Screw her medication! And screw her friends, if she could even call them that anymore. Anger was right; he shouldn't expect her to apologize for this.

Over her dead body.