“I can’t give you any of his personal information, it’s confidential.”

“Can you at least tell me what he is?”

“Not human, but nothing I’ve seen before. He will wake soon; you should go on now.”

I slowly blink my eyes open and rub them until the image is clear. Unfamiliar. But this looks like a hospital. I don’t remember much of what happened before this besides something to do with Tallius, and of course the feeling of fear. I take the monitors off my arms and sit up. Alarms start going off and a nurse rushes in.

“Where am I?” I ask the nurse.

“Please don’t remove your monitors so soon, the doctor has not cleared you yet.” He answers, putting the contraptions back on me.

“Why am I here? Am I still at school?” I ask persistently.

“This is Pond’s nurse’s office, you’re here for high blood pressure and nose bleeds. You passed out and your roommates got you here.” He sighs resetting the machines, “your nose bleed has subsided, and your blood pressure is average so you should be able to leave soon.”

I nod as the nurse closes the curtain and leaves my area. I raise my hand to my mouth and chew on my nails, a bad nervous habit of mine. Being in places like this gives me anxiety, it takes me back to when I was little and sick all the time. Not too long and the doctor returns.

“Hi, glad to see you conscious. I’m doctor Barwick.” He smiles, “since you have returned to normal, I guess I’ll let you go. If you get another nosebleed or feel dizzy, please come back. Any questions or concerns? How do you feel now?”

I nod, “I feel okay now. A bit drowsy, but that’s probably from my medication.”

“Good to hear. Thankfully I received your medical records this morning and was able to safely treat you, it appears you have a lengthy medical history.” The doctor says looking at his notepad.

“Y-Yeah… I was born with an immunodeficiency disorder, so I’ve been sick a lot. B-But my doctors have seemed to have cured me. I don’t get sick as often; I just get sick easier.” I smile.

I was born with an immunodeficiency disorder called Polyarteritis nodosa (PAN). It’s a disease of the blood vessels which cause my arteries to become inflamed. Since my early diagnosis I have been off and on many anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive medications.

“Well I’m glad to hear that you are doing well these days. Since you’re staying on campus now, you will have to get your blood work here to make sure you are in good health. On your way out, schedule a lab so we can monitor you.” The doctor says as he turns off the machines and undoes the equipment.

I nod and slide off the bed to my feet. I walk down the hall and to the front desk where I make an appointment. Sitting in the waiting lobby and is Sparky and Tallius.

“ORI!! YOU’RE OKAY! I’M SO GLAD! I WAS SO SCARED!!” Sparky whines.

I rub the back of my neck awkwardly and smile, “It was really nothing, no big deal. I’ll try to not let this happen again.”

“W-What? You couldn’t help it! You just went plop and were out of it! I thought you were hecking dead!” Sparky says in a dramatic tone.

I sigh, “I’m really sorry to trouble the two of you…”

“Huh? We’re just glad you’re okay! It wasn’t very troubling for me, Talli is the one who had to carry you haha!” he smiles.

My face grows hot and I look down in embarrassment.

Sparky leans into my face, “Ori are you okay? Are you sick again?”

“N-No! It’s just…Embarrassing.” I stutter.

This seriously sucks. I want to disappear. But I can’t escape, I have to face this. I walk towards Tallius and bow to him.

“I-I’m really sorry! It won’t happen again! I’m really grateful!” I lightly shout.

Tallius sighs and looks away, “It’s nothing.”

I lift my head and clear my throat, “Thank you.”

He looks up at me for brief second then looks away again and gets up heading for the door.

“I’ll walk you back to the dorm, you should rest.” Sparky smiles, “or should I carry you?”

“W-What? No! I can walk just fine.” I smile.

Sparky and I walk back to the dorm together and Tallius walks off in another direction.

“Hey Ori, why do you get nosebleeds?” Sparky questions.

“Umm… I don’t know why I had them this time.” I answer.

 I wasn’t feeling particularly anxious either times, no more anxious than I was a few minutes before. Not before long we arrive back at the dorm.

I sit down on my bed that now has clean sheets on it.

“Tallius cleaned your bed for you.” Sparky winks, “see I told you he would warm up to you in no time.”

I blush, “He’s just being nice…”

“Tallius isn’t nice to everyone! I think he likes you.” Sparky says with a smirk.

“E-Eh?! Definitely not!” I raise my voice in shock.

Sparky chuckles to himself and plops down on his bed. After successfully teasing me he plays on his phone. Like me? How? He does nice things for me, but he still acts cold towards me. Unless he’s like one of those characters who bullies the ones, he likes. Wait likes me in what way… He couldn’t possibly be GAY. Well I guess you can never really tell, huh. I myself have been questioning my sexuality, but still unsure of it since I have barely any experience. Tallius is handsome so I’m sure many people like him. It would be odd if someone handsome like that liked a plain awkward guy like me.

“Why do you keep sighing over there?” Sparky asks.

“I-It’s nothing! Just thinking!” I awkwardly smile.

“Thinking about what?” he questions getting up, “we can talk about it.”

I can’t just ask him if Tallius is gay. That would be very weird.

“It’s fine! I was just thinking about how difficult my classes look.” I smile.

“Tallius can probably help you! He is really smart!” Sparky smiles.

“Oh no, no, no! I have bothered him enough. I will just have to carefully pay attention.