Jackson didn't usually awake to this much misery.

Someone was surely hitting his skull with a hammer repeatedly.

Ringing a consistent whine in his ears.

Subsiding very slowly to a guitar solo that lined up with the thrum of torment he was going through.

"Is it supposed to take that long?"

"Why was he … seizing like that?"

"I don't know. You guys know him better, that's the first time I've seen it happen up close…"

He squinted at the grey dimness, his vision was letting in.

He was on his back in a very uncomfortable place.

Soft hands smelling of formaldehyde and mint perfume slowly lifted his head.

Something squishy was put under his sore cranium.

"We may have overdone it."

Mostly female voices.

"This is all my fault I hit him too hard…"

"Well he was making a break for it, you needed to act."

"It may have been better just to let him skip, guys..."

A guy speaking he was pretty sure… he knew it from somewhere.

"Non. Then I would have just tackled him later."

What was going on?

Vision blurring to three green faces over him.

"Frankie?" he asked squinting. "I can see three of you…"

"I have pink hair doofus."

"See he's racist in this form too, I told you."

"Iris shush he just hit his head." Frankie's voice.

Was that why it hurt? His body felt sore too. Everything coming too, vision snapping back, he sat up woozy.

Then held his belly, that especially tender.

"Why does it feel like I got punched in the gut…?" he asked, head ringing was one thing, but that was weirdly specific. He hoped they actually had an answer because there was always the chance it'd happened outside this class.

"Because Iris kicked me in the chest…"

"Hoodude!"

Jackson jumped realizing that came directly from behind, turning slowly around to see he'd been laying on Hoodude's legs like a pillow.

"What?! You did!"

"I was just trying to slow him down for Rochelle."

"Oui, merci."

Well he could see everything ok now, though he was missing his glasses. He just wished everything didn't hurt so much.

A puff of hot steamy air breezed by and he heard a metallic English accented voice.

"You appear to have sprung a bit of a leak, Holt" she offered him a roll of toilet paper that she had apparently drifted off to get for him.

Jackson could tell, holding the tissue to his lightly bleeding nose. Looking gratefully up at Robecca. He didn't know she was in this class...

Looking around at everyone actually. Slowly getting a grip on his situation.

"Well that's the only place he's bleeding so I say he's fine." Venus shrugged.

"Yeah I don't really want to send you two off to the nurse again. We're trying to keep him in class remember?" Lagoona gently reminded her friend, as Frankie kneeled over him and felt the side of his head where he'd hit the ground. It was tender but not that awful.

"Do you hit your head a lot?" Frankie asked, since it seemed almost a habit of his lately.

Jackson thought back to the night prior, hitting his head on the bed frame.

Then shrugged.

Soft cloth fingers squeezed his head, hands coming from behind.

"Awww he really is tired…"

Jackson pulled the boy's hands slowly off, trying not to be too weirded out by the action "Hoodude…"

"What?"

Rochelle offered a hand that he took as she helped him to his feet. Nosebleed subsiding.

Then hissed holding his head as Lagoona blew her whistle loudly.

The gargoyle casting an apologetic glance as she trailed after her classmates back to the pool. Frankie remained with him, holding a radio and looking at him expectantly.

Jackson started a forced smiled, but turned genuine for Franke.

"Uh. Hi." He began sort of awkwardly.

Frankie grimaced back as she was the one remaining with him, "Oh uh… here.." she handed off the radio to him so he could control it. Maybe thinking he'd want it louder or on a different channel. It was loud enough though, especially in the echoey room.

Frankie wore a white swimsuit with black bolt print, and some sort of blue lightning rubbery affixation that melded into shoulder straps. As she walked ahead back to the pool, Jackson could tell why Holt had probably taken this class.

Seeing Frankie in a swimsuit was definitely worth the head injury.

Everyone was congregating at the pool's shallow end, Lagoona yelling out instructions on how she was going to be grading them. He only caught part of it, but it sounded like one just had to make it across the pool while she watched, and to swim 'if you could'. With a sympathetic nod to Rochelle who was most likely bound to wade forever.

Hoodude was at the pool's edge splashing Frankie, and most everyone had gotten in the pool at this point, even with a reluctant student or so. So many blatantly bad monster types for this class. Robecca taking extra care at the water's edge to remove her rocket boots, maybe trying to stave rust off her old parts.

Jackson set down Holt's radio, and decided to join them. Though as soon as his feet touched the water he jerked back out.

The water was frigid.

His sole male peer seemed to notice his hesitation.

"Aw come on Holt!" he splashed more water in Jackson's direction. As Jackson scooted back.

"Ha. I'll get there…" he murmured. Not expecting a shove from behind, that caused him to land face first into the pool instantly submerging. After an unsavory gulp of the questionable pool's water, Jackson clung to the ladder shivering, while he glared at Lagoona still standing at the edge where she'd pushed him.

"Best way to learn!" she cheerily chipped back at him, before getting distracted by Iris asking her if she'd seen her goggle.

Jackson tried to regain his composure trying his best. As if the migraine wasn't enough, now he was wet and so cold.

"Cannonball!" he heard Hoodude yell before a cloth classmate leapt over his head to land lightly on the pool's surface with a quiet splat. Rolling over to his backside before floating off.

Right.

Soggy dummy. Electric eel. Sinking rock.

Fire elemental.

None of these people were meant to be in the water. Himself included.

Whining to himself, he wondered if this was enough to count for his credit for today. Looking for their student-teacher whilst floating closer to other students.

Swimming was something he didn't have to do often in his usual life, but seemed more difficult in a body he was hardly used to.

Sure in most ways it was still his physical form, but it certainly wasn't his image. Holt and him shared similar proportions, facial structure even vocal chords apparently but that was where the similarities ended. And it was hard enough being Jackson and trying to show some skin…

This unfamiliar blueness wasn't helping his self esteem.

Part of him tried to argue it was someone else's life so he shouldn't care, but no.

Holt was what he associated with embarrassment, some students didn't even distinguish between them. Not to mention

"I'm freezing Lagoona, can I please leave the water?" he asked meekly shivering. As his amphibious friend happened to glide by, natural in the water.

"Pshh, your flame isn't going to go out, mate."

Jackson never knew the rules for fire elementals and water. However common sense seemed to argue fire + water didn't equal anything good.

Maybe if he was in a warm tub he'd be better off, but Jackson felt the pool was overwhelming him.

Giving off heat like a furnace, while the water only seemed to cool him off, giving an overall feverish effect.

That or he was actually ill, and after the last 24 hours he wouldn't have been surprised.

The chills, combined with his complexion kept his shirt on even in the water. No way was he going shirtless like this…

Frankie waded over to put her hand around his arm as if trying to help. But she was as clammy as a corpse.

Of which she literally was, so no surprise there.

"Sorry…" she whispered "Between this and the bump on your head I might as well be sending you back to the nurse's…"

"It's ok…" he mumbled out "I'm only half after all.."

"Yeah, but I think the other half is a bit quiet right now." Frankie added.

Well he meant half-fire-elemental half-hyde, but even mom wasn't 100% how that worked.

Frankie did seem concerned by his grumpiness though.

Wouldn't Holt hate this though?

Wouldn't he dislike the water?

Jackson imagined him signing up soley because he saw Frankie do it.

He didn't even know Holt though… only a shallow impression of his videos and stories…

Then again it could be simpler than that. Holt could just be the opposite of how he normally acted.

At the same time that didn't explain their mutual attraction to Frankie.

Seeing her hair slicked back and her adorable swim suit though, how could one not like Frankie?

"You're right though Frankie… I should get out soon. My lips are turning blue." he tried to joke.

She smiled like she was going to but failed to completely laugh.

It was still encouraging.

Trying to fill the silence was something of torture though.

He coughed.

"Soo… this weekend huh?"

"You going to Cleo's party?"

"I mean I have to." he retorted flatly.

Frankie seemed embarrassed "Right. Yeah. Haha."

So the last time they had talked "So uh. What was that about a date?"

He had intended to sort this out with Holt but she was the one who told him about it.

Making plans without him, but this was a plan he didn't entirely mind. Then again he had agreed.

"Yeah I was thinking like the maul and maybe a picnic, I mean I don't know if you wanted like half of it or…" she bit her lip as if contemplating how to have a tandem day out.

"... Sunday right?" could he postpone it "Does it have to be Sunday?"

"Is there something wrong with Sunday?"

Nothing just there was a small… ok not so small chance of him not exactly being himself on Sunday.

He was going to have to worm out of his suddenly busy schedule if he wanted to fix this situation. At the same time messing up delicate plans with his not-exactly-ex was a strong fear.

Did he have an excuse? Tired from the party? Other plans that her perceived "Jackson" hadn't mentioned for some reason? The fact his mom got huffy about him getting actual rest before the school week?

Or maybe not mention his mom gave him baby nap time.

Anyone would listen to their mom if she could turn into a terrifying monster though…

Then again at this school that was an actual possibility.

"Maybe?" He squinted. Could he really turn this down though? What if she thought rescheduling was too much of a hassle? Why was he so anxious about this….

Not going and going both seemed terrifying. Both because it was a date but mostly the image of Holt trying to romance Frankie while still stuck like this, seemed like the worst possible thing they could do at the moment.

Saying no sounded like he had no time for her though.

And he always had time for Frankie.

Looking at her he knew the choice "It's fine nevermind." he sunk into his warm spot "Don't worry about it forget I said anything…"

He could fix them before that right?

Frankie was twiddling with her hair staring more into the water. "Cool." she seemed lost in thought. Maybe she didn't talk about it. Jackson knew she could get nervous about that kind of thing too.

Bringing up the idea of dates seemed to make things tense.

Jackson's skin boiled. Literally. He was steaming a bit. Which Frankie squinted at until-

"Whaaaatcha talkin' bout~" sang a voice creeping towards them. Jackson turned to see a surprisingly buoyant Hoodude floating towards them on his back.

Because Frankie definitely needed more awkward not-exactly-exs bugging her today.

"Nothing Hoodude!" Frankie quickly quipped, tugging him over to maybe break their odd silence "Not sinking yet huh?" her tone changed quite a bit, way more cheerful, like talking to a kid.

"It takes awhile.." he explained with a smile he seemed to shove his soggy legs more into the water in attempts to keep himself upright. Though it seemed to take a substantial amount of effort. "Wow it's kind of warm over here…" he mused. Physically separating the couple and clinging wet burlap fingers around Jackson's bicep.

Jackson tried to shake him off but his cloth classmate didn't seem to get the hint.

"Holt do you work out?" he innocently asked.

"Uhh. Maybe?" he answered honestly. There were some parts of Holt's life Jackson didn't actually know about. "Hey Hoodude isn't it time for your lap or something?"

"Nope! Already went!" Hoodude pulled up Jackson's arm "Hey what's that?" he asked pointing to faded sentences written on shared skin.

Jackson pulled his hand back into the water and started scrubbing at particularly mean messages as Frankie peeked over suspiciously.

"Ha those are … always there…"

"Are those notes to Jackson?" Frankie asked.

"We can't talk in our heads or anything like that…" he hurriedly explained as their section of the pool became decidedly humid. Most weren't coming off with just water so he nonchalantly used Hoodude's arm as a makeshift sponge.

"Hey! Ink stains!" he complained swiping his arm back with enough force it hit the concrete pool curb with a soggy cloth smack.

Jackson yelped, feeling the secondhand bruise. Hissing he rubbed his own wrist trying to get the tingling magic pain to subside. "Hoodude…" he grumbled.

"You started it…" he pouted, pulling himself to Frankie's side.

Frankie still seemed mildly interested in Jackson's personal notes. Then again Jackson and Holt getting along did seem to be her ideal lately.

A whistle rang through louder than the background whistles Lagoona kept making. They all looked over to see her pointing at Jackson urgently.

Thank ghoul. He adored Frankie but he didn't know how long he could talk to her while simultaneously feeling dishonest the entire time.

Swimming out of his warm corner to where Lagoona wanted him to start for his lap. Feeling tense as he realized the radio didn't broadcast as loudly over here, but he was still existing so it couldn't have been too bad. There were more students on this side, most of which seemed to be happy to see him. A nice change to hatred or just awkwardness of being Jackson.

Iris seemed to be grumpy for one reason or another at him though. Maybe she hung out too much with Manny.

"Alright just swim back to the other side, then you're done for the day. You can even leave the pool after that if you want." Lagoona reminded him.

"Really?" he asked excitedly.

Lagoona smiled at him from the pool's edge, "Yeah but don't you usually bug Frankie more?"

Jackson felt hot every time someone pointed out a mistake in his acting "Uh, thought I'd give her a break today~" he grinned.

She gave him an odd look, and opened her mouth to say something but seemed to have changed her mind. "Just ah, go whenever Holt."

Right just swim for that checkmark. Lagoona started the timer as Jackson kicked off, he wasn't a particularly good swimmer but not a particularly bad one either. Though, he wondered if he should be better than this if Holt had been practicing this whole semester…

Namely out of breath. He played casketball he really shouldn't be this out of shape.

Though as the pressure welled in his chest he started to feel like something was wrong. Cutting his swimming to lean towards the edge choking.

Or drowning.

The next few moments were blurry but he did recall a whistle being blown. And then Lagoona patting him on the back.

Squinting to see Frankie propping a significantly waterlogged Hoodude against the wall, faintly hearing a "...and remember you gotta keep your head ABOVE the water."

"Always forget you land dwellers don't have gils. Doing alright?"

Jackson nodded.

"So uh no checkmark this week… "

Crap.

"But you can leave the pool if you want!" she added cheerily.

Great.
"Thanks Lagoona."

"No problem… Holt."

Jackson had to power over to the nearest pool exit which was actually where Frankie and Hoodude were chilling. Rather Frankie seemed to be keeping Hoodude from sinking.

Coming in close to get to the ladder he stared down Hoodude.

"What?"

"You know what." Jackson huffed.

"Heeey I can't control it if I start to sink…" he whined "You're supposed to look out for it, the girls never seem to drown when I go under."

"I was swimming…" Jackson started to argue.

"It's ok I got him." Frankie piped up "No drowned monsters in this pool today~" she smiled.

Jackson gave a weak smile back. Taking hold of the pool ladder.

"Oh are you leaving?" Frankie asked.

"Yeah…I mean." he tried to lean against the pool wall in a cool way Holt might do "I don't think the pool is really my. Style."

"Right." Frankie bit her lip. Then looked at Hoodude, slowly pushing him up to the pool's curb. His water logged head smacking the pavement.

Ow.

Jackson rubbed his head but didn't mention it.

"Take… him."

"Oh. Uh ok." he climbed out, taking hold of Hoodude's arms and dragging him out of the water.

"Come on you always help!" Hoodude whined. "I get all heavy and gross in the water…"

"Yeah I can tell…" Yikes he was heavy. Luckily Frankie was aiding in pushing.

"Right so. Holt quick question before you take off.." Frankie added as she heaved Hoodude's legs up. "Uh. Where were you during lunch today?"

Jackson tried not to choke over her question.

Don't freeze up. Don't over react.

Jackson tensed a bit trying to put his nerves into dragging his classmate out of the water.

"Um don't remember. Must not have been my time."

Frankie blinked. "Oh ok." she pushed back into the water seeing he had this task handled.

"Well see you later. Probably at the party?"

"Yeah. Might be busy though..."

"I'll still see you." she rubbed at her electrical tape "Play a song for me or something alright?" she hurried off to Lagoona.

Speaking of songs.

"Hoodude hold this stereo."

Dragging Hoodude from the pool to the locker room was a shorter trip than expected.

Not sure what to do with him he just flopped him onto the locker benches. About to go about his regular business when Hoodude piped up "Heyyy you promised you'd help."

"I forgot you were alive for a minute." Jackson turned back. "Help with…"

"Drying me stupid." Hoodude slowly sat up, water squeezing from his body with the motion. He seemed incredibly floppy.

"Oh uh." Jackson grabbed a towel, his first instinct to grab a limb and twist squeeze the water but he got a vision of a fierce secondhand Indian burn. So just started padding and pushing at his lockermate's legs.

Hoodude working on his upper body.

An awkward silence ensued. Jackson being careful not to pound the water out of him as much as he wanted to.

"Thanks for being so gentle..." Hoodude added to the silence.

"Ok I'm out." Jackson stood up going back to his locker. Pausing.

"Hey do you know my locker combo?"

"You wrote it under the bench." Hoodude answered matter of fact, before scooting over to a hand dryer to sit under.

Jackson wondered who else might have access to his gym locker as he unlocked it. Changing back into Holt's clothes.

Noting his phone had like 10 messages.

Hurriedly going through them as his stomach dropped.

-frankies def figuring stuff out dude

-scarah's worried but just a heads up for whenver you see frankie next

-i dont think she KNOWs knows but she knows it's not normal

-maybe try to stay away from her?

-idk like text u later or something

As well as another from Scarah. This time less of a warning and more of an accusation.

-Hey in class. Just checking again sorry. A little concerned about your um projects.

Are you sure you know what you're doing?

He hovered a finger over the keyboard for a second before swiping out of his messages back to the ever present playbutton. He really needed to close some apps when he could no wonder his battery was always drained.

Hooking himself back up he turned off the radio they'd drug in.

"Later Hoodude."

Hoodude gave a wave from a comfortable looking spot under the sink's dryer.

Jackson decided to get a headstart on the bell.