Adrien's POV

I headed to first period. My first class was AP biology. While I was doing well in the class, it wasn't my favourite class. I wasn't a science person. I was more interested in arts and humanities, but because I didn't know what I wanted to do after high-school yet, having all my science credits will keep my options open.

I released a heavy sigh, dropping my bag down at my side as I sat down at my desk. The bell rang a few minutes later, the classroom soon filling up with the rest of my classmates. I dug into my bag and pulled out my binder and biology textbook setting them onto my desk. Seconds later, Phoebe and Asher walked into the classroom side by side, taking their seats on either side of me.

"Hey, Adrien!" Phoebe greeted with a bright smile, she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, pulling out her notebooks and textbook. I smiled at her, before turning my gaze to Asher as he sat down on the other side of me, and he let out a groan.

"Are you okay Asher?" I raised a brow at him. Asher laid his head against the desk. He looked terrible; his face was pale, almost sickly, and he wasn't wearing any makeup as he usually would. Instead, he was wearing one of Daniel's hoodies so it was baggy on him, and a pair of sweats.

"No. I feel like fucking shit," Asher mumbled. I frowned at him.

"He's been puking all morning. He said he woke up super nauseous and spent a good half hour in the bathroom this morning. We were almost late to class because he was still in the bathroom when I went to pick him up," Phoebe explained with a heavy sigh.

"Really? Why didn't you just stay home then?"

"Because my dad would kill me if I stayed home. It doesn't matter if I'm sick, he'll still want me to go," Asher mumbled. He had his arms wrapped around his torso, "it's fine. I took some medication so hopefully, nausea will subside soon."

The teacher walked in before the second bell went off. The class quieted down as she pulled up the presentation slides. Asher was quiet for the rest of the class. Instead of taking notes, he laid with his head on his desk, hood pulled over his face. He didn't want to move in fear he would vomit, so I just told him I would give him my notes so he could look them over later when he felt better.

When class was over, I tucked my binder and textbook back into my bag. Asher got up from his chair, grabbed his bag, and hurried out of the classroom. Phoebe and I exchanged looks, before hurrying out of the classroom after Asher.

"Asher!" Phoebe called out. Asher ignored her and pushed past the rush of students, hurrying in the direction towards the bathroom.

Phoebe and I followed him into the bathroom. We got a few looks as he hurried in, but Asher ignored the stares he got from a group of girls as he stepped into the closest stall. He dropped to his knees and instantly dry heaved into the toilet.

I frowned. I walked over and knelt beside Asher in the stall, touching his back gently. Phoebe stood at the front of the stall, blocking everyone else from view as to give Asher some kind of privacy. Asher continued to dry heave in the toilet, eventually throwing up nothing but stomach acid. Tears stung his eyes, a single droplet rolling down his cheek as he gasped for air.

"F-fuck...I hate this," Asher whimpered. He looked miserable. I felt bad for him. I lifted my hand and ran my fingers through his hair, brushing the strands from his face.

"Want me to text Daniel? He could take you to the office and you can lay down there," Phoebe suggested.

Asher shook his head, "n-no...I don't want him to skip class because of me...I-I'll be fine."

"Pft, don't be like that. I'm texting him, and you're going to lay down in the office."

Asher sighed heavily. He didn't argue. Instead, he rested his head against my shoulder, and I wrapped my arms around him. Phoebe pulled out her phone and typed away, sending a quick text message to Daniel to meet us outside of the second-floor bathroom.

In the meantime, I helped Asher off the floor and to the sink where he washed his hands and rinsed his mouth. His movements were shaky, face pale like a sheet of paper. I had a hand on his back as I guided him out of the bathroom, Phoebe trailing behind us.

Daniel was already halfway down the hall by the time we stepped out of the bathroom. The hallways were vacant now that the bell for second period had rung. He was running over the minute his eyes landed on Asher's figure, both his hands cupping the sides of Asher's face.

"Are you okay babe?" Daniel asked concernedly. Asher leaned into his touch, exhaling a long breath while nodding his head.

"Y-Yea...I'm just really nauseous..." Asher murmured. He wrapped his arms around him and rested his cheek to Daniel's chest, indulging in his boyfriend's comfort. He clung to Daniel and refused to let go as he took deep breaths.

"He's been puking nonstop all morning. You should take him to the office. He can lay down there...his dad's a dick and won't let him stay home so this is his best bet," Phoebe replied, crossing her arms. Daniel frowned worriedly, gently rubbing up and down Asher's back, pressing a kiss to the top of his head.

"Yea, his dad is pretty strict. I've met him a few times...he isn't very fond of me," Daniel mumbled, "but yea, I'll take him to the office. Hopefully, he feels better later on in the day."

"I'll let our art teacher know too, just so she knows that you won't be in class," I added in. Daniel smiled at me and nodded.

"Thanks, Adrien."

Daniel took Asher downstairs to the office, Asher clinging onto him until they were out of sight. I released a heavy sigh, turning to Phoebe as she looked in the direction they left in, lips pulled into a straight line.

"Hopefully he feels better soon," I frown. Phoebe turned her gaze to me, nodding her head.

"Yea...I hope so. I'll see you during lunch, okay?"

"Yea, see you."

Phoebe smiles softly, before walking off to head to class. I walked in the opposite direction, walking down the stairs to the first floor, and heading to my second-period classroom.

***

When second period was over, I headed back to my locker to put away my books. As I'm putting my textbooks and binders away on the top shelf, Marci leaned against Preston's locker, arms crossed over her chest and a smile on her face.

"I'm so excited for Preston's performance! Are you? He's going to sound amazing! I wonder what song he's going to sing!" Marci exclaimed in excitement. I smile softly at her. I shut my locker and shrug my bag over my shoulder.

"I am too. I've been curious about his performance so I can't wait to finally listen to him sing," I respond. Marci beams at me, a bubbly grin on her lips. She hooked her arm with mine and started walking down the hall to the main stairs.

"I heard a little rumour that the song Preston is singing is for the person he likes."

"Really? Who did you hear that from?" I raised a brow at her curiously. We walk down the main stairs and head to the cafeteria, loud echoes of chatter filling the main floor.

"Some guy on the football team. He said he overheard Preston talking to someone about it," She shrugged.

I bit my lip. A heavyweight settled in my chest as I followed Marci into the cafeteria, and we lined up behind the counter display. She unhooked her arm from mine to pull out her wallet from her purse.

Every time someone mentioned Preston's crush, it gave me a weird feeling. Everyone else was so curious to know who it was — excitedly may I add — so why was I feeling like this? I was his best friend. I should be happy for him, right? I should be cheering him on, right?

So why did my chest tighten every time?

I know Marci liked him. What if the one Preston liked was Marci? I didn't know how to feel about that. Thinking about made me uneasy. Emotions ran through me, ones that I could barely describe because I never felt them before.

Was I jealous?

Did I...like Preston?

Oh god. I liked Preston, didn't I?

"Are you okay Adrien?" I blinked and glanced at Marci, who was now staring at me with a questioning look.

"Oh...uh, yea. Sorry," I nodded. Marci raised a brow at me curiously, but instead of asking again, she left it alone. I sigh heavily, inhaling a deep breath. Marci stepped up to the food counter when it was our turn, ordering the food she wanted.

What was I supposed to do? I was supposed to be Marci's wingman. I was supposed to help her get close to Preston. I couldn't just steal someone else's man...right? I wouldn't do that to her.

But I hated the thought of them being together. I hated the thought of Preston dating anyone else.

I quickly shake the thoughts out of my head. Marci ordered a couple of slices of pizza for herself while I got myself some spaghetti with sauce and meatballs. After paying for our food, we headed into the cafeteria and to our usual table, Phoebe already sitting there along with Kourtney, chatting away.

"Hey, guys! It's a quiet table today," Marci greeted the two of them as we sat down at the table. Phoebe looked over and smiled at me, and I return it.

"Yup, it's just us four today. Joseph and Preston are getting ready for the assembly and Asher isn't feeling well. He's in the office with Daniel resting," Phoebe explained.

"Oh, really? I hope he feels better," Marci frowned at her, picking up a pizza slice, folding it, and taking a bite.

"He'll be fine. He has Daniel with him," Phoebe smiled reassuringly. Kourtney nodded her head in agreement, currently snacking on a bag of popcorn while she had her math homework sitting out in front of her.

"Can't wait for the assembly! I also can't wait for the party at Annie's tonight! It's going to be so fun!" Kourtney exclaimed.

"Yes! What are you guys dressing up as?" Marci returned the excitement.

"Joseph and I are doing a couples costume. We're doing Sandy and Danny from Grease!" Phoebe smirked.

"Oooh, fun! What are you dressing up as Adrien?"

"Me? Oh, uh...Preston wanted us to dress up together. I'm dressing up as a police officer and he's dressing up as a prisoner," I replied sheepishly.

"Haha! I never expected you to be the kind of person to dress sexy, Adrien," Kourtney teased. A heavy blush coated my cheeks, embarrassment sweeping into my bones.

"I-it was Preston's idea! Not mine!"

Kourtney started to laugh. She smacked her hand against the table and snorted, caught up in the middle of a laughing fit. Marci wasn't saying anything and Phoebe, well, she was knowingly smirking at me, as if she knew something was up.

"Oh god, I cannot wait to see these costumes! They're going to be gold," Kourtney kept laughing. My cheeks were flaming hot at this point.

"Calm down Kourtney — you're embarrassing poor Adrien. He's red as a tomato," Phoebe chuckled, watching Kourtney amusedly.

"S-sorry! Haha! Okay, okay — I'm good," Kourtney inhaled a deep breath, ceasing her laughter, though she was still smiling.

I rolled my eyes at her, willing my embarrassment to go away as I looked down at my spaghetti, twirling some around my fork, and taking a bite.