“Now will you take this seriously?” Viv demands.

“I have always taken this seriously.” I defend. After all, if I was right, she is showing signs of shifting. I would much rather prepare her than let her find out the way I did.

“Right. You better not be referring  to your fantasy about changing into a tiger?” She glares at me. Unlike me, who prefers to be left alone, being sick turns her into a baby viper. She has no filter, and goes looking for a fight. Because of this, everyone tries to avoid her.

“Just go lay down. Remember, it took me a week just to be able to eat.” I avoid the fight, regardless of my growing irritation. 

‘She is sick, she isn’t feeling well, she likes to fight when she is like this…’ I chant inside my head.

“You just don’t want to admit you were momentarily delusional and offended by my attempt to bring you back to reason.” She pushes on. The mantra in my head stops working but I barely hold my temper.

“I’m walking away, don’t follow me.” I say. I get my backpack from my room and head to the door. “Let Mom and Dad know I’m staying at Lillie’s until you’re better.” My emotions are still very rocky and our parents agreed that it would be best if I don’t get over excited during the weekend. At least I got to use this as an excuse not to be around her.

Tina is just pulling in when I get there. She looks surprised to see me. 

“Hey, didn’t Viv just leave? Are you feeling better hun?”

“For the most part.” We go in and Lillie is finishing up some chores. She rolls her eyes when she sees me. “Viv just came home with a fever. Is it alright if I stay here until she’s better?” 

“Is it what you had? No offense, honey, but helping you avoid getting in arguments with her doesn’t justify letting Lillie get sick.” Even Tina knows how sharp Viv’s tongue is when sick and has even banned her from her house a time or two.

“She was just here last night, Mom.” Lillie pipes in.

“And the doctor said I was in the clear to go to school, so I shouldn’t be contagious.” I say.

“Alright Ash. But do you mind helping me with some projects while you’re here? And don’t forget to let Emma and Wyatt know you’re here.” Tina consents.

“Viv is letting them know. Sure. What do you want me to do?”

“Just help Lill model some new clothes for the store. We are switching over to summer styles.”

“Don’t forget mom, she just got out of the hospital. I don’t know if the stress and camera flashes will be good for her.” 

“Then how about cooking dinner a couple times this week?” I compromise.

“That works.” They both agree quickly since neither of them like cooking.

Thankfully, Lillie doesn’t bring up my ‘shifting phenomena’ all weekend; probably thinking I heard enough from Vivitina. Since I was in such a rush coming, I had to borrow Lillie’s clothes. Luckily, Lillie has enough clothes for three and the weekend passes by peacefully.

Monday is my first day back since I was pulled out due to sensory overload. The doctor gave me some tips on how to tolerate my overactive senses on my last visit. On account of Lillie and Viv keeping me up to date with lessons and bringing me my homework, I am still on track with my grades. With all this, and graduation in a couple months, I want to stick it out.

I drive us to school early, hoping to avoid the incoming bus traffic, but there are enough students already present that I have a headache by the time I get to my locker. 

When I open my locker, a dozen get well cards fall out. I smile, grateful for the friends I have here. I load them into my backpack to read in a quiet corner later. The good mood doesn’t last long as when, even through the crowd, I hear Shasha’s piercing voice. When I look over, she is staring right at me.

“Look, goody-two-shoes is here. Oh wait, she showed her true colors already.” She tells her friends. I turn to go over to confront her when Lillie grabs my arm. She can tell my plans from the expression on my face.

“Why are you going over there? She probably hasn’t even seen you yet.” I realize that she is far enough that I shouldn’t have been able to hear her.

“She has and I can already hear her talking about me.” I grumble, but ultimately drop it. The buses are starting to arrive so I run to my first period.

Luckily, the noise is tolerable once the classes start. In between classes, I put my headphones in and rush between classes. Everything seems to be going fine until lunch. 

I forgot to pack my lunch before school, so I am forced to cue with all the Juniors and Seniors. The noise and smells are already starting to numb my appetite, however when I get close to the front of the line, I feel downright nauseous. I duck out of line and all but run out of the cafeteria. I feel someone’s eyes follow me, but I assume they are Lillie’s and don’t look back. 

Once I am far enough from the cafeteria that the noise is more of a buzz than a roar through the headphones, I stop and take a few deep breaths. A few seconds later, I hear footsteps that sound different from Lillie’s and I flip my head around. Chris is walking towards me, and I wait for him to catch up to me.

“Hey, heard you were sick. Are you okay?” He asked. We were friends long before we were together so I can understand him still caring.

“Yeah. I don’t know why, but the smell of the cafeteria food made me queasy.” I hear another pair of footsteps, and I am not surprised to see Shasha walking towards us. She comes over and grabs his arm. The fact that they are together doesn’t shock me.

“Chris, baby, why did you chase her out?” She asks, glaring at me. I return the look. Her voice alone makes my headache pound.

“She wasn’t feeling well this last few weeks, so I was just checking on her.” Chris says defensively. “Turns out the smells were too much.”

“I really wish you didn’t say that last part.” I respond, growing frustrated with the conversation. I can already see Shasha thinking and jumping to conclusions.

“Well, since you were too high-and-mighty to give yourself up to Chris, I wonder who the father is.” 

SMACK, my hand reacts before I can think.