The raging headache she felt woke her up from her slumber. She staggered to her table, still feeling dizzy from her crazy experience the previous day.
Note to self, never get drunk, she thought as she held her head in her palms. She walked to the bathroom cabinet, Rachel always had hangover medicine in it. She had never seen Rachel drink, so she assumed it was probably for her husband.
Or for idiots who don't know when to stop chugging.
She took a pill, swallowing it dry. She wailed because it was a Thursday, and she had to attend school. She couldn't face her classmates, she was still embarrassed. Dragging herself back to the room, she got her things ready before returning to the bathroom to take a quick shower. She didn't bother styling her hair, the pain from the headache was already too much. Picking her bag, she wobbled down the stairs, on her way to school.
****
She ignored the stares of her classmates, she wasn't in the mood for their nonsense. She felt they were all stupid, curled up in their little fantasy world. Ms. Gloria wasn't in class yet, on a normal day she would be happy, except the splitting headache spoilt her mood.
Jacques was stuffing his face with chocolates when she saw her. He had been eating lots of them for the past two weeks. She ignored him also, laying her head on her desk.
"Why so serious?"
Hearing his muffled voice, she lifted her head. There was chocolate smudged on his face. She wanted to giggle but was too tired to smile. "Why have you been eating so much chocolate? Did someone break your heart?"
He chuckled. "Why would you think someone broke my heart?"
She shrugged. "Then why are you eating the chocolates?"
"I've been playing matchmaker for the past two weeks. I get paid in chocolate!"
"You're kidding, right?"
He chuckled again. She lay her head on the table once more. He asked between the chocolates, "How was your party?"
"Terrible..."
"It couldn't be that bad."
"Peyton tried to rape me," she said, throwing her head on the desk.
"That's fucked up," he said, stuffing his mouth with chocolates, "Did you punch him?"
"Laurent helped me," she blushed.
"You both make me sick," he frowned.
"Jealous much?" She wiggled her brows.
"Maybe, I'm not telling," he laughed.
The headache worsened as the day continued. It reached its peak once it was biology period. She slammed her head against the desk as the teacher spoke.
"Keep it together, Julie. The last thing I need is detention," Jacques whispered.
"I have a headache," she moaned.
A smile appeared on his face. "Then why didn't you say so?"
His answer displeased her. "What's so funny, why are you smiling?"
He didn't reply but instead, raised his hand.
Noticing his raised hand, Mr. Robinson, the biology teacher, stopped talking. He adjusted his glasses and ran his hand through his slicked-back hair. "Is there a problem, Jacques?"
"Yes, there is. Julie is ill!" He pointed out, "She needs to get to the infirmary, pronto."
"Is this true Miss. Heathrow?"
She felt everyone's attention on her. "I have a headache…"
Suddenly, he sprang up from the chair. "She is ill! It could be deadly!"
Mr. Robinson adjusted his glasses once more. "I'm pretty sure a headache isn't deadly."
"You're right, it could be contagious!" He said, flaying his hands around.
"Listen Mr. Anderson-Russells, I am not a doctor but I…"
"Exactly!" He protested, "You're not a doctor, leave it to the professionals. We should go to the infirmary, and probably get the rest of the day off."
"What are you doing?" She whispered.
"Relax, I've got this," he whispered back.
"Saying that makes me more worried," she pouted.
"I understand why Miss. Heathrow is going, but I don't get why you're going too," Mr. Robinson bellowed.
Jacques feigned a shocked expression. "That's because she needs me."
"Needs you?"
"Wait, why do I need you?" She whispered.
"Because she needs someone to take her home!" He lied, "She can't go by herself in this state. As I said, the disease could be contagious, and I have already contacted her. We should probably be quarantined to prevent a pandemic."
"Fine," Mr. Robinson waved, "You both can go."
He grabbed his and Julie's bag, dragging her out of the classroom. She punched him on the shoulder when they were outside.
"Why are you such a drama queen? It was just a headache!"
"Listen," he said, "You hate biology, I hate biology. We could well, skip class!"
"Exams are coming up soon you idiot," she hissed, "Besides, I feel bad."
"You weren't lying about the headache, were you?"
She shook her head. "Good, so you don't have to feel bad."
He dragged her as they walked through the hallway.
"We aren't going to the infirmary, are we?"
"Nope."
"Then where are we going?'
"A basketball court."
She gave him a you've-got-to-be-kidding look. He stared back at her. "Why?"
He shrugged.
"I'm going home, you're ridiculous," she said, storming off.
He leaned against the wall, picking his fingernails. "Laurent will be there."
She stopped in her tracks, slowly turning around. "Why would you think I would go if he was there?"
"That's what friends are for."
She placed her hands on her hips. "Listen, man, exams are in two weeks! I can't be slacking off! Unlike you and your 'fabulous friends', I'm on scholarship!"
"Oh, Kyrie's dad will understand," he said absentmindedly.
"Of course he will!" She sarcastically replied.
"You worry too much, it's just basketball, I'm pretty sure Laurent would want to see you."
"FYI, Jacques, school isn't over! They can't be at the basketball court."
"Oh he didn't come today, didn't I tell you?" He said, scratching his chin.
"Is everything okay?"
"Like I said, you guys make me sick," he said, before walking away.
"Wait!" She shouted, finding it difficult to catch up. Her headache had reduced thankfully, and she was able to make it to him on wobbly feet.