Jay clutched his stomach and a string of profanity escaped his lips. “You’ll be sorry.â€? Was all Jay hissed before getting his friends to follow him away.

Once Jay was gone, Alex sunk to the ground, coughing up. He didn’t want to go to the nurse so he cleaned up in the bathroom. When he was done, he headed to the school’s courtyard. It had the best cell phone reception and he needed to call Chloe.

“Alex?â€? Chloe whispered after answering on the first ring.

“Chloe, hi. Um …â€? he lost his trail of thought for a moment.

“Alex, I’m kind of busy right now.â€?

“Oh. Where are you?â€? Alex asked curiously.

“Um, at the clinic. And I’ve got to go. Sorry.â€? She was about to hang up.

“Wait! Are you coming to school?â€?

“Um, yeah. My … my mom is making me.â€? Alex thought about that. Was her mom at the clinic with her?

“Chloe, you probably shouldn’t come to school today. I don’t think that’s the best idea.â€?

“I told you my mom is making me. She doesn’t believe I’m sick.”

“Chloe, wait.” But she had already hung up.