My legs become jelly, my heartbeat speed up like crazy, my throat is dry and my lungs unlearn how to function properly. With the great timing of my body failing to work as I’m walking I drop a plate and some other things to the ground. The noise alerts Gwyn who comes to open her door and look around.

“Thomas is everything okay?” When she hears no answer, she walks by the kitchen. “Oh god! Are you alright? What happened?” She honestly sound concerned, I wish I was breathing and could ask who is she and what she did to Gwyn. “Do you need any medication? Is this normal?”

I shake my head weakly.

“What should I do?”

“Lay… me… on… couch…” I somehow manage to hiss the words.

She supports my weight and lifts me. My legs are still useless by themselves, but with the help we both manage to drop me by the couch. I have to say I’m surprised at how strong she is for her size, she doesn’t look buffy, but apparently the girl is pretty tough.

“Should I call an ambulance or do you have a private doctor?”

I shake my head and say “Now… wait…”

“But you should…”

“I… okay…” She still looks like she is doubting me. “I… used… to… it…” I try to smile, but I’m not sure I succeed.

“Then do you want some water? Blanket? Pillow?”

I move my mouth to say yes. She goes to the kitchen and into her room to grab said things and returns. My neck is gently lifted and the glass touches my lips. My lungs have somehow returned to normal and I can drink the water. She covers me with the blanket and puts the pillow beneath my head, then proceed to sits beside me on the floor.

“I thought you were making fun of me the first day when you talked about a genetic condition. You were not, right?”

I shake my head a little.

“Mike’s grandmother used to be the landlady. She once said she had a weak heart. I thought she meant figuratively. She didn’t.”

“You… nursed her?” The water did help with my throat, but my voice still sounds broken and rough.

“I found her collapsed and nursed her until the ambulance arrived and then all the way to the hospital. She is a very kind woman.” I can see her eyes are smiling when she says it, even if her mouth is not.

“You visit her?”

“Sometimes. She likes pie, so I bake her some.”

“You like to cook.”

“I guess so.” She shrugs.

“Was not a question.” I laugh a little and realize how stupid I am, because now I’m coughing. Gwyn gives me more water once the cough stops. My chest is still wheezing a little.

“You don’t like to cook?”

“I never learnt.”

“What do you like to eat?”

“Sweets.” I have a sweet tooth, especially during finals.

“I’ll be right back.” And to the kitchen she goes.

She returns rather quickly. Or maybe I dozed off. And will you look at that? Not only is Gwyn nursing me, but she even went and prepared some sweet rice.