When he returned, he looked slightly frustrated, like he blamed himself. "Sorry," he said, handing her the only small towel he could grab. "It's not much, but…"
Blue took it, managing a small smile. "It's fine, really. I could've just gone back to class—it's not that bad." She started patting at her wet hair, trying to dry herself as best she could.
"Are you sure you're okay?" he asked again, his tone softening.
"I'm… I'm fine." Blue's words were cut off by a sneeze, and she groaned quietly.
Adrian's lips pressed into a thin line. "Guess not. If I didn't have classes, I'd stay with you for a while." He leaned against the wall, watching her with concern.
Blue shook her head, resolute. "No need. I have classes too. And if this is because your girlfriend had something to do with it, don't worry. She's just being childish." Her voice was calm, almost too calm, as she continued drying herself.
Adrian opened his mouth, but closed it again, clearly weighing his words. "Okay… take care."
He turned and left, leaving Blue alone in the quiet corridor. She took a deep breath, steadying herself, and headed back to class—her jacket still damp, hair sticking slightly to her forehead.
No one in class asked. No one pried. Maybe they assumed it was just the rain, or that she had slipped—nothing more. But Blue carried the tension with her, sharp and heavy.
Elise noticed it first.
"Hey… are you okay?" she asked softly as Blue dropped into her seat, tugging her jacket closer around herself.
Asha leaned in. "You look pale."
Blue shook her head, forcing a small smile. "It's nothing. Just the rain."
Elise studied her for a moment longer, then nodded. "Alright. But if you need anything—"
"I know," Blue said gently.
They didn't push. The day moved on with notes being copied and lessons half-listened.
By the time Blue got home, the chill had settled deep into her bones. She curled beneath her blanket, tissues within reach, nose stuffy and head heavy.
Her phone buzzed.
Saint:
Hey. I heard you weren't feeling well today. Are you okay?
Blue frowned slightly, suprised.
Blue:
Yeah. Just caught a cold, I think.
Saint:
That rain was something. Make sure you rest.
She hummed softly, typing back.
Blue:
I will. Thanks for checking in.
Their conversation stayed light—jokes, a comment about upcoming tests, a shared complaint about the weather. It was easy, comfortable, and when it ended, she felt a little less heavy.
A few minutes later, Elise's name lit up her screen.
Elise:
You sure you're okay?
Blue:
Promise. Just resting.
Elise:
Good. Don't disappear on us tomorrow.
Blue smiled, tucking her phone beneath the pillow as she turned onto her side.
The house was quiet. The storm had passed. And wrapped in the warmth of her blanket, Blue let her eyes close.
*************
Saint arrived earlier than usual that day.
Blue noticed him —standing near her desk, hands tucked awkwardly into his jacket pockets. When he finally spoke, his voice was soft but steady.
"Have this."
He placed a small tin of chocolates on her desk.
Blue blinked, genuinely surprised. "Oh… I thought you were joking," she said, then smiled as she took it. "But thank you. Really."
Saint shrugged lightly, the corners of his mouth lifting. "You were sick."
That was all he said before returning to his seat, leaving behind a quiet ripple of attention .
Elise leaned over immediately. "Okay… Saint?"
Asha grinned. "Since when does he bring gifts?"
Blue laughed, shaking her head. "It's not like that."
They gathered closer as lunch break approached—Diana, Raya, Khalid, Mavin, and Stella pulling their chairs into a loose circle. The conversation drifted easily.
Mavin nudged the tin with his finger. "So… chocolate now?"
"It's for recovery," Khalid said seriously. "Medical reasons."
Blue rolled her eyes. "You're all impossible."
Stella laughed along, but her gaze lingered on Blue a moment longer than the others'. There was something unreadable there—curiosity , maybe. A quiet question she didn't voice.
Blue noticed it but didn't comment. Instead, she opened the tin and pushed it toward the center. "Help yourselves."
That broke whatever tension might have formed. Hands reached in, voices overlapping with thanks and jokes.
"Best decision you've made all week," Raya said.
The bell rang soon after, sharp and final, and they scattered back to their seats.
Blue closed the tin and slipped it into her bag, feeling lighter maybe —because of the small kindness behind it.
Blue didn't go out during break. The hallway noise faded, replaced by the soft scratch of her pen and the ticking clock above the board. She had asked the others to grab her some candy on their way back, insisting she was fine where she was.
The classroom door creaked open.
Drake stepped in and, without asking, took the empty seat beside her.
"You seem busy," he said lightly.
Blue didn't look up. "Not really. Just finishing a few things."
"Hmm. Not bad." His eyes followed her movements, lingering when she wasn't paying attention.
She felt it and finally turned. "And why are you here?"
Drake leaned back in his chair. "Just wanted to swing by."
Blue hummed in response and rested her head on her desk. "Not bad timing, then."
He watched her for a moment before speaking again. "Let me help you."
She smiled, still half-hidden by her arms. "No need. Almost done."
Before he could reply, voices echoed down the hallway. The door opened again, and the girls walked in, laughter spilling ahead of them. Drake stood, offering a quick wave.
"I'll let you work," he said, already halfway out the door.
Elise raised a brow the moment he left. "He comes in, sits down, and leaves like that?"
Asha dropped the candy onto Blue's desk. "Here. And you missed everything."
"What happened?" Blue asked, unwrapping one piece.
They crowded around her, talking over each other—about who they ran into. Blue listened, smiling, letting their voices fill the space Drake had just left behind.
And after that day, it became a pattern.
Drake stopped by more often. Sometimes to talk, sometimes just to sit. Sometimes to help, even when she didn't need it.