JJ woke up on a random Friday with an itchy feeling in the back of his throat. "Shit." He whispers to himself as he drags himself out of the couch he slept in. He was probably coming down with a cold, which is actually quite surprising because JJ like never got sick. Ever. The pogues would always get jealous when everyone came down with the flu while JJ was thriving.

JJ decided to put it on the back of his mind and head to school with John B in the Twinkie.

...

What JJ didn't expect was for his sickness to progress until Monday, the next school day, to the point where it hurt to swallow his own saliva. He attempted to groan when John B punched his shoulder, but no sound came out and a sharp pain attacked his throat. That woke JJ up.

"John B?" He tried to say, but his mouth moved and an odd airy rasp came out. JJ winced, that caught John B's attention real fast. "Dude you okay? You're looking a little peaky." John B put his hand to JJ's forehead as a joke but was actually concerned when he felt heat radiating off of the skin.

JJ just nodded this time but that seemed to set something off in his body and he let out a really harsh cough that sounded like a wheeze to both of their ears.

"Shit Jay you good?" John B asks, although immediately changes his mind and states "Actually nevermind, just don't talk. I'll get you some water."

As John B returned with a glass of cool water in hopes of soothing JJ's throat he realized that JJ was struggling to hold himself up as a wave of nausea assaulted him. "Jesus! Jay what the hell are you doing?" John B ran to his friend in order to prevent him from collapsing as he stumbled to the side. Black had obstructed JJ's vision.

"Woah..." JJ whispers in surprise as he is laid back down by his friend. His clouded eyes roll around lazily. "Here dude take the water."

JJ shifts as he takes the glass with unsteady hands and brings it to his lips, face scrunching with pain as his throat burns with each swallow. It's hard to describe the pain cause it's more like a sudden flash that stops just after the swallow.

"I'd stay home today man but I can't have any more unexcused days this semester or else there's a chance I'll get held back." John B says, eyeing JJ. "I'll be back as soon as school lets out thought. Okay?" JJ nods in confirmation.

"There's food in the kitchen for breakfast and lunch if you feel up to it. Drink lots of water and please be careful man, I don't need you passing out on me while I'm net even home." John B starts packing his bag for school as he walks out the screen door in the front, waving a goodbye to his friend on the couch who's already half asleep. JJ gives a lazy salute back before conking out again into the land of dream.

...

Apparently John B was still late to school because the road he usually took was flooded and since his first block teacher was somewhat sympathetic towards him, all he received was an hour long detention after school. John B was devastated that he couldn't rush back home to check on JJ so he made a backup plan.

JJ was surprised to wake up groggily and find Kie hovering around him. Kie seems to notice his bright eyes blinking open slowly and smiles at him. "Hey JJ! John B sent me cause he got stuck in detention. He told me that you were sick and couldn't talk much so I bought some soup, cough drops, and throat soothers on my way here. I wasn't sure what type of soup you like so I've got veggie and chicken noodle. Any preferences?" She grabs both packets from the table and holds them up to avoid him from verbally answering.

JJ smiles at the comfort provided by her presence. He easily picks chicken noodle over veggie, pointing to the small pack of powder and noodles.

A short couple minutes later, Kiara returns with a steaming bowl and finds JJ, who is now sitting up supported by multiple pillows, sucking on a throat soother.

"Thanks Kie." He rasps out, voice not going above a whisper. Kiara winces with JJ at how painful it sounded.

Together they sit there with a movie playing until John B returns home an hour and a half later. By then, the movie is almost over and both JJ and Kiara are conked out on the futon, Kiara cuddled up against JJ's side where he has a protective arm laid across her shoulders.

John B snatches his phone and takes a picture, easy blackmail for later he thinks as he chuckles to himself.