Plot summary from chapter 7: Zane's looking for his friends that can be found on nowhere. Finally he finds out that they are watching a duel and joins them. Chazz won against Ra Yellow girl but meanwhile the duel Alexis and Zane are enchanted by each others. Things get a bit awkward as jealous Chazz gets in and Zane makes an excuse to get out of the situation and heads towards his dorm. Alexis catches him and the couple is happier than ever since they can be together without any interruptions. Zane invites Alexis to spend an evening with him. Atticus joins them later and teases them making Zane and him to have a play fight. Atticus makes Zane outrageous with his tricks but Alexis gets between them and three of them walks peacefully to their dorm.
Zane was nervous, so nervous that his stomach was hurting the whole day. He was just staring at his desk at the lecture that Dr. Crowler held. He knew that Alexis wasn't judgmental but he was scared that she'll be disappointed if he didn't manage to arrange something fun. He always wanted to reach perfection and didn't wan't to fail. As he was over thinking, he squeezed his tights with his hands. He felt dizzy, sick.
"No one knows the answer, really!?" Crowler said mockingly as he slammed a book on the table. "ZANE!" Suddenly Zane woke up from his thoughts and flinched. "I'm sure you know the answer," Crowler continued confidently with gentle voice.
"I'm sorry. I don't feel so well. If you excuse me, I'd like to leave," Zane said and waited patiently for an answer.
"Oh, if you feel ill you should go and see the nurse."
"I don't think that's necessary, I just need some rest and I'll be fine."
"Fine then, you can go. Get better soon," Crowler said apprehensively and watched as Zane walked away. All heads turned as Zane walked calmly out of the classroom. "We're in the middle of a class so WAKE UP!" Crowler said as he puffed steam from his tiny noses trills.
Zane walked straight to his room, tossed his school bag in the corner and collapsed on his bed. He was laying there for a while on his stomach, head buried deep in the pillow. Then he fell asleep.
Meanwhile Atticus finished his random test. He looked around and saw Alexis doing the same test with focused face, biting her pencil nervously at the same time. Atticus grinned and waved as Alexis looked at him since he was the first one to leave from the classroom. Atticus got just one quick angry look and then he left the classroom. He was free for the rest of the day so he headed to his room ready to write an essay.
Oh, Zane's here, Atticus thought as he entered their common. He left his bag on his chair and walked besides Zanes bed. "Zane, hey!" Atticus shoke his shoulder. "Dude, are you alive?" Atticus was starting to get scared since Zane never took naps in the middle of the day. Atticus knew Zanes schedule somehow and he was pretty sure that he was suppose to be on Dr. Crowlers lecture.
"Mmmhhh, Could you stop shouting," Zane said powerlessly and turned his back on Atticus. Atticus jumped over him on the other side and brushed Zanes bangs away so he could see his eyes. "Damn, you look tired. What's wrong?" Atticus asked when Zane opened his eyes a bit. He was looking dreamy.
"I think I have migraine. My head hurts so much," Zane said as he buried his face in the pillow again. Atticus didn't say anything, he just walked away leaving Zane alone. Atticus knew that Zane had migraines occasionally and it wasn't anything serious. He must have been stressed about his and Alexis' date, Atticus wondered as he closed the door.
"Atticus, are you there?" Zane said when he heard the door closing. Why did this stupid migraine had to hit me right on this day when I was supposed to spend time with Alexis, Zane thought ruefully. He sighted up loudly and closed his eyes.
Poor Zane. Why he's always being sick when there's something fun ahead, Atticus thought while he walked his hands in the pockets of his pants. Atticus finally arrived on his destination, the Card Shop. There he met Ms. Dorothy. "Hey, would you have something to eat or drink? My friend is having a bad migraine and he needs something to cheer him up. Maybe some painkillers too?" Atticus said as he was smiling nervously and drumming the counter between him and Ms. Dorothy.
"Oh no, hope he gets better soon. Wait a minute, I'll find something nice for him," Dorothy said with the sweetest smile on her face. She turned away and went to the backroom. Soon she arrived with a takeaway box and a bottle. "I'm sure this will make him happy. There's onigiris spiced with katsubushi and also delicious green tea mochis. Oh, and in the bottle there is green tea, it will make him feel better for sure," Dorothy said friendly and handed the delivery to Atticus. Atticus thanked and gave a huge grateful smile.
"Oh. How about the painkillers?" "I'm sorry but I can't give them to you. You'll have to visit Ms. Fontaine," Dorothy said. "Of course. Thanks anyway!" Atticus had already turned around when he heard his name, "Hey Atticus, don't forget this!"
Atticus turned around and saw the other Card Shop worker, Sadie. She was reaching over the counter handing him a can of cold coca cola. Atticus turned around and took the can. "Thank you, my favourite drink. I'll make this up for you some day" Atticus said, smiled at the girl, piled all his stuff and kissed her hand theatrically. Sadie turned red as fire and giggled. Then Atticus left leaving Saidie entranced. "Oh dear," Dorothy sighted and shook her head.
Atticus didn't have to walk for a long before he met his sister who was looking annoyed. "Here you are mister 'I know everything without even studying'," Alexis said as she crossed her arms looking extremely nervous. "You're celebrating something since you got some food at this time? And a coke! What did you do, charm Sadie."
She's definitely annoyed as hell, Atticus thought and looked appalled. "Umm, listen. I don't want to make you angry but it's Zane. I'm not sure if you two can have your alone time tonight. He has quite bad migraine, I think he even left in the middle of Crowlers lecture that was about dueling strategies," Atticus said seriously and dropped his gaze down. "I just wanted to get him some food so he'd get better. I feel anxious when he's sick... especially after that seizure he had before. Crap I still have to get some painkillers from Ms. Fontaine..."
Alexis looked worried. There was a brief but depressing silence between the two siblings before Alexis spoke. "Okay. I'm coming with you to see him!" she said firmly. "No. Let me check him first. Maybe he'll be okay by the evening. I don't think he wants to make a fuss about it," Atticus said determinedly.
"Go, now. Make sure he's alright and inform me about the situation. I'll come soon and bring his medicine. No complaints," Alexis said as she shook her head. Why today Zane...You shouldn't make me so worried. You poor thing, Alexis thought as she watched Atticus leave. She was sure that Atticus would keep good care of his boyfriend but she wanted to see Zane herself to make sure everything was fine. However, she trusted his brother when it came to Zane. Zane is his best friend, he wouldn't let anything bad happen to him, Alexis thought as she headed to her room to cool down a bit.
Atticus struggled to open the door of his room as his hands were full. After a while he managed to turn the key and pull the handle down. He entered the room and closed the door.
No Zane here...where did he go? Atticus wondered and placed the food on his table. It didn't took long when he heard something from the bathroom.
"Guahh-guah-fffuck-blargh-blaaargch."
Atticus ran to the bathroom and saw Zane breathing heavily on his knees, his elbows leaning against the toilet seat as he tried to keep his hair out of the way. The bathroom was quite dark since the lights were off. Atticus wasn't sure if Zane left the lights off on purpose so he didn't dare to put them on. He walked slowly to Zane and knelt behind him.
"You okay buddy?" Atticus asked as he slowly stroke Zanes trembling back with his hand.
"Hnh," Zane answered. He felt so terrible that he couldn't say or do anything else. He was relieved that someone was with him since he hated throwing up so much. That was the main reason he almost never got so drunk that he'd throw up. Usually it was Atticus throwing up and Zane making sure he's well and alive.
Atticus kept fondling Zane as he tried to pull something of his wrist with his teeth, a hair tie. He moved Zanes hands away and carefully collected his friends hair into a ponytail and tied it with the hair tie. Wow, he actually allowed me to do that, Atticus thought on himself. Atticus moved right beside Zane to see him properly. Atticus couldn't help it, he bursted into laughter. "Ahhahha, you look ridiculous!" Atticus declared. Zane stared at him murderously unable to do anything even though he wanted to.
Zanes retch made Atticus stop his giggling. Again, multiple retches as Zane tried to keep it all in.
"Hey, let it come. You'll feel better after, I promise," Atticus said and put his hand back to Zanes back as he leaned on the floor with his other hand. Zane was throwing up and retching for a while before he felt better.
Atticus made Zanes bed comfortable and made him change his school uniform to pyjamas. Then he lead Zane carefully into his bed and made him sit there.
"I know it may not seem attractive right now after throwing up, but you have to eat something. I brought you onigiris and green tea...or actually Dorothy send them. You can also have my coke but I thought that the sweetness would make you puke"
"It's okay, I'll drink the tea, thanks. What taste is it?" Zane said as he pointed the onigiri that Atticus was bringing to him.
"Katsubushi. Also I have green tea mochis."
"Yeah, thanks," Zane said as he took the onigiri and started to eat. Atticus turned his computer on as he had to finish some essays. Zane ate and Atticus kept sipping his coke as he ate the other onigiri since Zane didn't dare to eat everything. Throwing up was the last thing he wanted to experience again today.
"Don't feel like throwing up?" Atticus said as he let out a loud burp. "No...it's just my head that hurts," Zane said as he looked at his dorky friend coldly in the darkened room.
"Okay. Then I'll tuck you in so you can rest now...Oh no, I forgot to message Alexis about your situation. She was supposed to bring you painkillers," Atticus said startled look on his face.
"Alexis..." Zane whispered. "Tell her that I'm sorry about this. I'll be fine, I don't necessarily need any medicine. And besides I'd need to get them personally from Ms. Fontaine. They're much stronger than average painkillers."
"Why didn't you go to Ms. Fontaine in the first place...You stubborn little idiot. Just get some sleep now, I'll give you some mild painkillers...it should help a bit before Alexis brings your 'migraine medication'." "Sure," Zane said vapidly since he didn't believe that Alexis nor anyone would be able to get those horse drugs for him.
It didn't took long that Zane fell asleep. His breath was calm and even. Atticus left the balcony door a bit open, fresh air always made Zane sleep better.
It was starting to get quite late. Atticus was writing his essay when he heard knocking. He got up from his bed and opened the door. "Alexis, you're here!"
"Yes...I got the medicine for Zane. It took me a while to get them since Ms. Fontaine demanded to see the prescription and of course I didn't have it. Eventually she agreed to give the drugs to me since she had all Zanes medical information on her computer. Are you letting me in or not?"
"Sure," Atticus moved sideways and opened his hand as a welcoming gesture. Alexis walked straight next to Zane and sat on the edge of his bed. "Don't wake him up! I just got him to sleep!" Atticus whispered angrily.
Zane was sleeping on his side, face buried in the pillow, again. Alexis fondled Zanes shoulder and kissed him on his cheek carefully. Zane opened his eyes. "Hi honey. I brought you your medicine. Just take them and I'll stay here with you making sure you'll be okay," Alexis whispered in his ear gently as she brushed his hair out of the way with her other hand. Atticus started to chuckle as he remembered how Zane looked with a ponytail couple hours ago. Alexis looked his brother and frowned confused look on her delicate face.
Zane got up slowly and leaned towards Alexis and placed his hands on her face attempting to kiss her. Well that was quick, she thought as she responded to his kiss and wrapped her hands on his waist. As they changed kisses and hugged each others, Atticus brought water and stood next to the lovers.
"Okay lovebirds, enough. I'm starting to get jealous." Zane and Alexis departed and Zane moved a bit so that Zane was able to drink. Atticus handed him his water and Alexis his medicine.
"I can't believe you managed to get these for me," Zane said after few gulps. "It was quite tricky. I had to convince Ms. Fontaine that you surely were my boyfriend." Zane looked at her confused. "Oh you don't wanna know how I convinced her..." Alexis said looking discomforted. "Okay..." Zane said hesitantly. "She actually lectured me about everything especially about protection," Alexis laughed as she blushed a bit.
"Okay it's time for me to put on my headphones and start writing that essay...Get well Zaynie. And Alexis, don't snore," Atticus said as he took his computer from his desk and jumped on his own bead.
Zane and Alexis looked at each others and laughed at Atticus' reaction. "Anyway," Alexis continued, "she said that the medicine is quite strong so you'll probably sleep like a log."
"Yeah I know...that's why I call them horse medicine," Zane said as his gaze was fixed on his feet making him look so sad and tired of all of this. At least he made a joke, Alexis thought as she tried to comfort herself. Seeing Zane like this wasn't easy for her.
Alexis lifted the blanket and pushed Zane gently, making him to give more space for her. As they laid down, Zane offered his shoulder to her and Alexis snuggled right next to him resting her head on his chest. "Sleep well pretty one," Zane said as he kissed her on her forehead and wrapped his other arm around her and pulled her even closer to him.
"You know...this night we were suppose to do other kind of sleeping. I mean this is just fine and I don't want to complain being here this close to you but...promise you'll make this up for me?" Alexis said slyly as she fondled Zanes chest lovingly. "I promise I will. You don't have to think about sleeping then, I'll keep you up the whole night." Alexis shivered of excitement as she heard that and lifted her head up to kiss Zane.
"But seriously...I'm sorry that this ended up this way. I thought that we would have watched a movie or do some other fun things instead of going to sleep way too early...I'm just, sorry," Zane said disappointment and shame in his voice. "I know. However, it's not like you planned this. No matter what happens, I'll stay by your side. We can watch movies whenever we want, I wouldn't mind if it would have been the worst movie ever...I just want to hang out with you, that's what matters. Not what we're doing. I just don't want you to feel somehow guilty. It's okay to be down sometimes. I'll be there for you," Alexis convinced as she looked Zane right in his eyes. "Wow, that was quite deep," Zane said surprised. "It means a lot to me, thank you," Zane continued and kissed Alexis on her forehead. After goodnight kisses they both closed their eyes and fell asleep listening to their heartbeats.
Atticus was still on his computer watching those two from the corner of his eye. Those two...Atticus thought and smiled. Hope Zane doesn't get better in the middle of the night, I don't like sleeping with earplugs, he thought and grinned viciously. Then he continued his essay.