"Good morning Mort!"

Chrixa shows up in front of me, cheerful. Which made me raise one brow. Atleast the forget-everything-overnight attitude of hers is still in tacked.

Mort: Morning Chrish...

My voice is hoarse from discomfort of a bad morning. I don't feel awkward. I just feel so awful.

Chrixa: What's wrong with you?

She seems concerned.

Mort: Haven't slept well.

Chrixa: Why?

I look at Chrixa. Kinda annoyed because all I see is her smiling face as she lets herself off the cliff. But as my eyes linger on her face I can't help feeling warm. It's as if she's dazzling in the morning sun.

I shake my head.

Mort: Nightmare.

I said, almost in a whisper.

Chrixa: Oh...

Chrixa looks away, as if realizing it's her fault.

Chrixa: That's bad.

Mort: Yeah.

The warm feeling replaced by coldness.

"KRIIIIIIIIIING!"

Chrixa: We better hurry!

Chrixa starts running then stops. She faces me. I really don’t feel like running right now. She walks back towards me and grabs my hand.

WOOSH!

A wave of electricity shot through my arm from her grasp making my eyes widen and my heart beat fast.

She's held my hand hundreds of times before but now it just feels so different. I can feel myself shivering not in disgust but something else. Something I don't want to entertain. So I slowly freed my hand from hers. She glimpses at our hands as I let go but kept walking.

During class, my mind was flying again. I barely hear our teacher lecturing in front.

I'm feeling really dizzy that I can't help closing my eyes.

"KRIIIIIIIIIIING!"

I jump as the bell rang. It's already lunchtime.

I slept through the whole morning classes!

As I look around I notice the Gang is surrounding me, looking at me worriedly, including Chrixa.

Chrixa: Mort, are you okay?

Her face infront of mine. Shining.

Lance: We tried to wake you men but -

Mike cuts Lance off with a "shhhh!"

They are letting Chrixa tend to me.

I look at Chrixa. I tried to focus so the shine around her disappears but it didn’t. I force a smile.

Mort: Yes! I'm fine!

Chrixa: You don't look fine.

She looks like she’s about to cry. I felt a pang of pain inside.

Mort: I'll be fine Chrish.

I look at her. Finally the shine is gone.

Mort: No need to worry.

I smile.

Chrixa: Well, you better be fine.

She hands me the lime green lunchbox.

Chrixa: And you better eat!

I cringe at the sight of the lunchbox.

Mort: You brought me lunch again?

Somehow I'm a bit annoyed.

Chrixa: Yeah! Get used to it!

My eyes follow Chrixa as she walks out. I wanna chase her and confront her but my knees won't even move.