Jamie thought that he'd be fine. He really did. He did three seasons of marching band at Lincoln before joining the marching band at UoI, and he has it down. He knows all the little tips and tricks passed down from student to student to help the new members learn, thrive, and have fun.
He knows to stretch before and after each rehearsal and to stretch again before bed. He knows to do breathing exercises. He knows not to lock his knees. He knows to bring fruit and crackers every day. He wears sunscreen, SPF chapstick, a hat and sunglasses every day. All of his clothes are breathable and movable, and he- mournfully- switches out his Converse for athletic shoes. He never shows up without a one-gallon water bottle and keeps a second water bottle and a Gatorade in his bag, ditching the sodas he's fond of until after the marching season is over.
He knows all that, and yet…
He didn't know there was something wrong at first. It's August, and they're in the middle of a heatwave, and he's playing the trumpet outside while stepping quickly around the field. He always ends up sweaty and out of breath back at Lincoln, and the practices at UoI are more intense than what he's used to. He'd be concerned if he wasn't sweaty and out of breath.
The first clue that something is off is when he comes to a stop on his dot, and his vision goes spotty for a few seconds, and he feels really dizzy. Then he realizes his heart is racing much faster than it should, and he starts trying to figure out why. Figuring it'll pass, Jamie doesn't say anything to his section leader and resolves to drink extra water during their next break.
It doesn't pass.
Instead of going away, Jamie slowly starts feeling worse and worse as he continues trying his best to hold on, knowing there's a moment coming up when he'll be able to get the section leader's attention.
As soon as he comes to a stop on his dot and the others around him stop playing for the drumline soli, Jamie says, "Hey, Danny?"
From a few feet in front of him, Danny- fourth-year student and first chair trumpet- turns around. He must know that Jamie wouldn't try to chat in the middle of running their set if it wasn't important, or maybe Jamie's looking as off as he feels because he asks, "What's wrong?"
"I'm not…" he trails off as another wave of dizziness overcomes him, his vision going fuzzy again.
A hand grabs his bicep, steadying him.
"Shit. You okay?"
Jamie blinks a couple of times, and his vision focuses on Danny standing in front of him, frowning. "Jus' got really dizzy for a sec."
Danny's frown deepens. "Let's get you to the tent," he says as he starts leading Jamie to the canopy tent set up at the end of the field. "You can sit in the shade for a bit, okay? We've got water, Gatorade, crackers, fruit, nuts, and other things like that. Take what you need and rest up."
"Okay, thanks."
Danny asks some more questions about how he's feeling and lets the band director know that Jamie's out for the rest of rehearsal with a possible case of heat exhaustion.
Grabbing his stuff, Jamie puts his trumpet in his case and takes out his water bottle and phone to relax in the cool shade. After a long drink of his water, he cracks open a red Gatorade and sips on the beverage. Half of his attention is on the other band members still on the field, and the other half is on his phone to FaceTime Mason.
He picks up on the second ring.
"Hey, babe. What's up? I thought you were at band practice."
"I am. I-" He sighs and takes off his hat, fanning himself with it.
On-screen, Mason's expression turns concerned. "Are you okay?"
"Mostly. A few minutes ago, I got really dizzy and lightheaded, so Danny- my section leader- told me to sit out of the rest of rehearsal. Said I might have heat exhaustion."
"Are you staying hydrated?"
Wordlessly, Jamie lifts his water bottle and the Gatorade so Mason can see them. "There's also snacks around." He pokes around the insulated bag and pulls out a banana. "I'll be fine."
Just then, the band takes a break, students filing onto the lower benches of the bleachers as the band director walks over to where Jamie's sitting under the tent.
"Jamie," she says when she's close enough. She crouches in front of him. "How are you feeling? Danny told me you were feeling dizzy out there."
"Yeah, I felt unsteady, and my vision went a little fuzzy, but I let Danny know as soon as I could."
"Good. I'm glad you didn't try to push through to the next break. I don't want any of you passing out on the field." She gives him a once-over. "How are you feeling now?"
"Better. Definitely better."
"That's a good sign. You're not going back out today, though. You're going to sit there until the end of practice so we can monitor you and make sure you're okay." Standing up, she goes over to her bags, where she pulls out a small towel and a miniature fan. She pours some water on the towel and wrings it out, then hands it and the fan to him. "Put the cloth on the back of your neck. It'll help cool you down."
"Thanks, Dr. Cortez."
"Anytime, Jamie." She gives him a comforting smile, then walks back to the other student.
Jamie looks back down at his phone to ask Mason what he's up to, but the screen is black. It makes him a little sad that his boyfriend hung up on him without saying goodbye. He considers reaching out, but figures Mason must have somewhere to be to leave the call like that.
Sighing, he looks back out to the field and the other students running the set.
Hearing someone walking up behind him, Jamie glances over his shoulder to see Mason coming towards him. He's wearing a crisp white t-shirt with an unbuttoned maroon shirt over it, and the sleeves are a little snug against his firm biceps. The maroon is complimenting the deep summer tan he got while working outside for Sal five days a week, and his curls are ruffled the adorable way they get in the wind.
Jamie's iffy mood from having to sit out of practice instantly shifts to excitement as his boyfriend approaches, and he sits up straight.
"Hey! What are you doing here?"
Sitting down close enough so their thighs are pressed together, Mason drapes an arm over Jamie's shoulders and draws him in to kiss his cheek. "I wanted to check up on you. Wanted to make sure you're okay. You kinda hung up on me when talking to someone."
"I thought you- never mind. I'm glad you're here."
"Me too." Mason smiles and reaches up to brush Jamie's sweaty hair off his forehead. "I know you must've been asked this a lot, but how are you feeling? All you told me was that you have heat exhaustion."
"Might have heat exhaustion. I'm feeling mostly fine now. I think. I haven't tried standing up yet, so we'll see how that goes."
"No nausea or headaches? Cramps or clammy skin?"
"Nope. Just sweaty and gross." He nuzzles into Mason to emphasize his point, but instead of pushing him away like he expected, Mason loops his other arm around him and drags him into a tight hug, blowing a raspberry on the side of his neck.
Laughing, Jamie squirms, trying to get away, but Mason just tightens his arms and pulls him into his lap. His touches grow softer, more loving as he caresses his back and kisses the top of his head.
"Do you have anything planned for the rest of the day?"
"Just a shower. Why? Something you have in mind?"
"Movie and cuddles? We can pop some popcorn in the dorm's kitchen. Raid the candy aisle at the dollar store?"
"I'd like that."
Jamie stays tucked into Mason's side as they chat until the end of practice, and he gets a little lightheaded when Mason pulls him to his feet, but it's not as bad as earlier. He gathers stuff, ready to go back to his dorm, and Mason takes his trumpet from him.
"I've got this. I can take your bag, too."
Bumping his elbow into his side, Jamie says, "I can carry my bag. Thanks, though."
"Jamie," Dr. Cortez says as she approaches the tent. "How are you feeling now?"
"A lot better, thanks."
"Send me an email if that changes, and let me know how you're feeling tomorrow. If you're feeling good, you'll participate in practice. If you're feeling any symptoms of heart exhaustion or heart stress, you'll sit out. Okay?"
He nods.
"Good. Keep cool and drink lots of water. Will you be okay to walk back to your dorm?"
"Yep. And my boyfriend will take care of me."
"Will I?" Mason teases.
"You can't help it. You love me too much to let me fall."
"Right. This way, Your Highness." Mason bows deeply, arm out in an 'after you' gesture.
With his head held high, he walks past Mason, only to squawk when he messes up his hair. But Mason follows it with a kiss on his cheek, and Jamie takes his hand.
After calling goodbye over his shoulder, they walk hand in hand back to Jamie's dorm, where Mason makes good on Jamie's word by dotting on him for the rest of the evening while they cuddle in his bed.