Sprite can't help but to notice that Sparkle is being unusually quiet. He's been like this after they leave Sprites home. Sparkle showed up at their door this morning to go to school together again. Sprite's mother invited the guy for breakfast. The dude seems to be getting along so well with his mom and his sister that whenever Sparkle can't join them for breakfast, they will ask nonstop about the guy's whereabouts.
After the chaotic breakfast, they take their leave to go to school. Just a moment ago, the guy beside him talked a lot. But now, he does not speak a word. He also notices that from time to time Sparkle would poke his ears, press it for a few good seconds then start making a ticking sound with his tongue. He stops for a few min then he would repeat it again. And it's starting to annoy him. Still Sprite decided to let him be. Sparkle continues to do this until they reach the school.
"What's wrong with brother Sparkle?" it is Nathan who asked.
"I do not know. He's been like that since we left home." Sprite turns to Sparkle grabbing his hand that is on the other person's ear. "Quit poking your ears like that. It may cause damage and you'll go deaf."
Sparkle looks at him with knotted forehead, and his face showing a bit of annoyance and discomfort. He makes another ticking sound again before answering back.
"I can't help it. The inside of my ears are itchy so is the inner part of my mouth. It's really annoying!"
[He's pertaining to the Soft palate part of his mouth going to his Uvula.]
"Did something get in your ears? Insect, perhaps? " It is Mark Anthony who is giving Sparkle a concerned look.
"I don't think so. If it is, I would have heard something crawling inside. But I don't. It's just a bit itchy." Sparkle explains while handing Sprite's bag to its owner.
"Well, good. Did you know that a few days ago, an insect entered our neighbor's ears. When the doctor came to check, they found out that it was a cockroach that went into his ears. It's unfortunate. He cried for days." Mark Anthony says while shaking his head. "That's why I never forget to sleep with my earplugs on."
"Aha! No wonder why your mom chooses an unorthodox way to wake you up in the morning." Nathan says with awe.
Sparkle just looks at them as if not hearing anything that they say and tries to hold his hand back to scratch his ears.
Sprite holds his hand tighter and glares at the other guy. "Tsk. Is it that itchy? If not, hold yourself from poking your ears and stop scratching your mouth using your tongue. It might bleed like that. You're old enough to realize that what you do is bad. "
It's not hard to guess that the ticking sound that Sparkle makes is him trying to scratch his soft palate with his tongue to relieve himself from itchiness. Which is not a good idea.
"Sir! Yes Sir!" Sparkle playfully replies with salutation as if he is answering their officer in ROTC. Then they all walk to their respective classroom. The professor is strict. They are all dead if they run late.
It's near lunchtime and Sprite could notice that Sparkle's condition becomes a bit worse than before. Not only that Sparkle would scratch his ears nonstop but his breathing pattern also became a bit strange. He's breathing a bit deeper than usual, and also looks a bit tired though all they do is sit on their chairs waiting for the class to end. Though every time he would check on him, he would only reply with a goofy smile and a thumbs up saying he is fine and here is nothing to worry about.
After the class ended, they decided to head to the cafeteria to take their lunch. Mark Anthony and Nathan were busy discussing the lesson. Thankfully, Sparkle's scratching stopped but still not looking good.
"Sometimes I really don't get what the professor says." Mark Anthony complained. It's not unusual though. He is almost like this every after class.
"You always don't get what the professor says. I pity your parents. Sending you to school like this is a waste of money." Nathan retorted.
When they reached the cafeteria, they all went to find a good place to seat before ordering food.
"What are you having for lunch?" Nathan asked Mark Anthony.
"Oh, my mother packed me something to eat. Just buy me something cold to drink." Mark Anthony answered. "This hot weather is killing me."
"What about you?" Nathan turns to Sprite.
"Anything that has broth in it." Sprite replied. But his attention was on Sparkle who currently looks awful. "Hey, are you sure you're still fine? You look like you're dying."
Actually the food is really not for him. They all notice that Sparkle is already tired and clearly isn't feeling well. He's practically panting just after a very short walk. Times like this, something with broth or soup is the most convenient food to take.
"Brother Sparkle, you do not look really well. I suggest we get to the clinic to rest." Mark Anthony said.
Sparkle's face shows a strong refusal "I'm good. I... just… tired."
'Good my arse! You can't even construct your word.'
Though they do not approve of how stubborn Sparkle is, they decide not to bother him anymore and let him sit and rest. Sprite and Nathan proceed to take their order while Mark Anthony and Sparkle remain at their seat to reserve the table.
"I guess, we should get done with our lunch early. Then we brought him to the clinic to have him checked by the doctor." Nathan said as they are waiting in line to buy food.
Sprite nodded. He had also decided that after making Sparkle eat his lunch he will make the guy go to the Clinic.
"He is so stubborn. I feel like we need to tie him up and drag him to go." He is irritated.
"You really care for him, don't you?" Nathan looked at him "You are monitoring him all morning, I bet none of our lessons ever gets into your brain."
"Half truth." he didn't bother to deny. "You would be the same if it was me or Mark Anthony." he stopped as he remembered nothing "Actually, you are worse. One time I got my foot injured, you literally dragged me to the hospital telling the doctor I'm dying. "
"Touché" Nathan's only grin and gave him a meaningful look. Sprite just shrug it off.
When Nathan and Sprite are back, only Mark Anthony is on their spot and Sparkle is nowhere to be seen. Mark Anthony informs them that Sparkle left and went to pee. They did not wait for him and started to take their lunch. But after a while, Sprite starts to feel anxious. Halfway through lunch they all agree that Sparkles is taking way too long to pee and judging about his condition, they decide that they should check on him. Sprite is the one who volunteered and went to follow Sparkle to the comfort room.
'I wonder what took him so long?' Sprite thought as he heads to the comfort room. 'That trouble maker. I'm really going to kick him when I see his face.'
When he reached the door of the comfort room, he heard a loud thud. His heart started to beat fast. He mindlessly opened the door. What he saw next made his world come to a sudden halt.
The image of Sparkle lying on the wet floor conscious but struggling to breathe. He could also hear a dreadful whistling sound coming from Sparkle as he tried real hard to get some air. Sprite is in cold sweat and he feels like blood rushing through his body. He ran into Sparkles' side and immediately dialed Nathan's number.
"Spite! What's taking you so long? Where is Sparkle? Is everything alright?" Nathan asked. But he gets no response.
After a long pause, Sprite, with his trembling voice, responded.
"Help! C-call a fire truck! I … I think he died!"
[end of entry]