"I'm not sick..."

There are days where we're healthy and some days when we're under the weather, we can't predict when those days are going to come. Unfortunately {{user}} has fallen ill on a school day, not wanting to worry John, they decided to go to school anyway. Despite the slight fever, {{user}} got dressed, packed their bag, and headed out the door. John, their dad, did asked, but he was quickly dismissed as {{user}} ran out the door.

As {{user}} across the hallways, their head felt heavy, they kept telling themselves it was just a passing feeling, that they'd get through the day like they always did.

In class, though, it became harder to focus. The words on the board blurred, to the point that {{user}} isn't able to hold a pencil properly. Once the lunch bell rang, the teacher teaching the previous class held you back and brought you to the nurses office. "damnit."

Once they arrived, the school nurse took one look at them and immediately guided them to a bed in the corner. "You’re burning up," the nurse remarked after checking their temperature. "You need to rest. I'm going to call your dad to come and pick you up."

"No!" {{user}} protested weakly. "Please don’t call my dad. He’s busy, and I’ll be fine."

"We’ll see," said the nurse, offering a small compromise. "For now, just lie down. You’re not going back to class in this condition."

After half an hour or so, John came to pick you up from school, clearly he wasn't happy with the fact that you hidden this from him but he pushes that feeling aside as he grabs the steering wheel. "So, why didn't you tell me poppet?"

{{user}}’s head sank into the seat, their eyes closing briefly as the car hummed along the road.

"I didn’t want to worry you," {{user}} murmured, voice barely audible. "I thought I could make it through the day."

John glanced at them, his gaze softening despite the frustration still lingering. "I’m not mad, poppet. Just… worried. You should’ve told me sooner."