Quinn
“Hey,”—I poke my head into Sophia’s room for a quick goodbye—“I’m going to Olivia’s for a tutoring house call.” At Sophia’s arched brow, I continue, “She’s been sick three days.”
“Poor thing. There’s definitely something going around.”
“You can say that again. Lunch didn’t sit well with me—I didn’t finish my sandwich from Whitman’s, if that tells you anything.” I step closer to see what Sophia is doing, approaching the demonstration table at the front of the chemistry classroom. “What the hell kind of experiment were you doing in here?” I wave my hand in front of my face, trying to disperse the nasty scent creeping its way up my nose. “That smell is noxious.”
Sophia glances over her shoulder from where she’s cleaning up with a frown. “Well, there was sulfur involved, but I didn’t think it was that bad.” She inhales deeply, holding up her hands in an I don’t know gesture. “It doesn’t seem so bad to me.”
An overpowering wave of nausea slams into me, but I can’t seem to move or think. All I can do is concentrate on not throwing up.
“Q. You look green.” Sophia hurries to my side as I start to sweat and shake and pulls me gently to the industrial trash can she keeps at the side of the room.
I cover my mouth for a second, closing my eyes. Right next to me, Sophia cranks a window open, and I’m able to breathe in some fresh air. After a few deep inhalations, I open my eyes. “Better.”
Sophia’s face still holds a degree of concern. “Maybe it’s the fumes from the experiment. I must really be completely nose blind to this stuff because I hardly smell it. You look pale.”
“A step better than green, I guess,” I chuckle. “I think I need to head out.”
The minute I’m out the front door of the school, I feel substantially better. I shoot Liam a quick text to let him know I’m on the way.
Me: Ugh. I’m feeling a little off, too. Has O had any stomach upset?
Liam: Sort of, but I was attributing it to her cold. I don’t know. This is probably the first time I’ve dealt with a sick kid on my own.
Me: I probably picked up some of what she has.
Me: I’ll still come to help her if you are okay with it. I’m feeling better just being in the fresh air. I’m sure I’m fine.
Upon arrival, I give myself a swift reminder that I’m not supposed to have been in this house before. Raising an unsteady hand, I give a few quick raps to the door.
It’s flung open a moment later by Olivia, who looks to be feeling much better. “Hi, Ms. Lockmore. Thanks for coming to catch me up again. I know this must suck for you.”
“It doesn’t suck, but you’re right, I’m not used to paying house calls for tutoring.” I bite down on my lip, hoping to say the right thing. “Your dad seemed concerned about you missing school, though, so I offered.”
She turns with a smile and waves me into the house. She leads me directly into the kitchen, where a few books and notebooks are spread across the kitchen island counter.
Oh God, just like I was spread across it buck naked Friday night. My cheeks heat to scorching at the thought, and I have to specifically focus on what Olivia is saying to me or I’ll totally zone out recalling everything else that happened that night.
Olivia frowns, tilting her head to the side. “You don’t look so hot, Ms. Lockmore.”
I wince. “Um. I think I
may have inhaled some gross stuff from Ms. Caringello’s lab when I stopped in there after school.”
“Yuck. My stomach’s been a little funny the last couple of days, too. We have some crackers. Want some?”
Just then, Liam walks in, studying my face. He obviously overheard at least a portion of our conversation. “Thanks for coming, Ms. Lockmore. Did I hear you aren’t feeling well?”
“No problem—and I’m sure it’s nothing.” I shoot him a reassuring smile, shrugging. “Just feeling a little funky. There’s really no hiding from the germs at school, is there, Olivia?”
She grins big, scrunching her nose. “Nope. Besides, we’ve already got the germs here anyway, so you can stay.” She crosses the room to rummage in the pantry. Sticking her head back out, she says, “We have Wheat Thins. Want some of those?”
I give Liam a weak smile before I shift my gaze to her to answer. “Sure. Those are actually my favorite.”
Olivia goes to grab them and while her back is turned, I shake my head at Liam and mouth to him, “I’m fine.”
She brings them over to the island, grabs a paper towel and shakes out a bunch of crackers onto it.