Cloud's POV
I won't deny that I was quite pleased with myself after hearing Mrs Kramer praise me like that. Not that I needed people's praise to be happy but it certainly didn't hurt any. I strolled on my way to Maths with a rather lame smile pasted to my face (with the amount I'd been smiling that day, I was surprised my face didn't hurt actually). I neared the maths block and noticed something slightly amiss.
I saw Selphie with a rather concerned look on her face, tugging at Squall's arm. Right then I knew what was up – I ran towards him. The look on his face was painful. His skin was no longer ivory coloured, it looked greyish and there were tears in his eyes. I wrapped my hand around his forearm and began to drag him away from the classroom "Selphie, I'll handle this – Can you tell Mr Barrett what's up, He'll understand" I said.
Selphie nodded, albeit hesitantly and returned to the group, rushing to tell Mr Barrett what was up. I saw him bend down so she could whisper into his ear and he looked at me, nodding once. I was so glad that, strict though he may be, if something was seriously up, he was rather understanding for a teacher.
"Come this way" I ordered gently, hoping to whatever gods out there that he wouldn't collapse. He buckled several times, though I had a firm hold of both his arms by this point so I managed to keep him standing. The only place I could think of taking him was Garden. The infirmary was out of the question since his mother would get called in and he'd get questioned. Some day he may be ready to tell his mother everything, though at the time, he couldn't stand to trouble her any more than she already was.
Following my instinct, I took him to Garden. I pushed him through the gap in the bushes and emerged behind him seconds later. I let go of him and he collapsed at my feet. I saw a look of absolute nausea before he began to vomit. The air was thick with the pungency of bile. I knelt beside him and began to trace lazy circles across his back. Something I'd learned to do long ago when he got like this.
He eventually stopped retching, though he was quivering. I was worried no doubt and I kept staring at him, hoping that he would raise his head. Eventually he complied with my silent request. Raising his head to face me, I saw his face was lacquered with a light sheen of perspiration.
I knew that my face must have looked worried. I saw a flash of guilt in his eyes followed by embarrassment. No wonder he was embarrassed. He hated people seeing him when he was this weak. Selphie and I were no exception. Looking at his face, I saw that he was about to explain, though I felt that there was no need for explanations. Before he could start, I pulled him into a brotherly embrace. I felt a tear slide down my cheek and I began to comfort him. The sky which had been overcast all morning now threatened to rain.
I know we remained there for the rest of the lesson, his head in the hollow between my neck and shoulder, my arm around his waist, talking idly. He told me why he was panicking and I reassured him that I'd be there for him. He smiled and I saw a tear trail down his cheek, the colour returning to his face.
We were like that when Selphie found us and I thanked the gods that she knew that the two of us were cousins (not many people did), otherwise the sight may have been somewhat compromising. She smiled and flung herself unceremoniously down on Squall's other side wrapping her arms around his shoulder as if it were the most natural thing in the world.