"Yuh-you tttake it then," Jake snapped, and immediately regretted it... but only because of the coughing fit that swiftly followed. He thumped his own chest and managed to wheeze in a nice deeeeep breath.

Well... ish.

The way she called him 'little bro'... was it still true? Jake was now no longer officially an Upstead. He just went by that name to simplify things at school.

Feh.

Biting hard on his thumbnail, Jake swayed a little as he stayed upright, thinking hard. He didn't want that darned potion, but he didn't like the sound of those breathing treatments. Or seven days in bed at school. That would get boring.

Although... maybe there was one thing.

"Cuhh-can't I ggggo home ffffor a wuhh-while?" the boy asked softly, looking wide-eyed at Ashford. He'd much prefer that.

Well. He'd prefer going home and staying there, but that wasn't about to happen.

Either way... Jake took a tiny step back. A week in bed at school or that nasty potion? Jake's choice; neither.

Or home.

"Your sister isn't sick, Mr. Upstead, and she seems to only be trying to help you feel better," Gabriella pointed out, her eyes flickering towards Reese as she spoke. Although, sibling rivalry was something she could definitely relate to. What with her being one of five sisters and brothers.

When he asked to go home, her gaze changed from sister back to brother, and she seemed to ponder the answer for a few seconds before replying. "That's an answer that would need to be determined by your parents and by the headmaster. As Healer, I can't just dismiss you from school," she explained. Dismissing from classes was one thing, but dismissing from the school? She could kiss her new job goodbye if that ever happened.

The tiny step backwards that Jake took didn't go unnoticed by Gabriella. To show that she meant no harm, though, she took a tiny step back, as well. "If you're interested in going that route, though, I could write up a report for you to take to the headmaster," she offered.

"Nuhh-not my sssister anymore," Jake commented, not realising what he said could hurt Reese's feelings. "I wwwwas adopted. I'm out."

Fuhreeeeeeeeeee.

Oh, and as for having his parents agree to him leaving, that was out of the question. Everyone refused to let him fo home. "Muhh-mayve nnnot then," he muttered to himself.

Feeling a little rush of dizziness, Jake reached out for the wall to steady himself. "Nuhh-need lay duhh-down."

Reese honestly couldn't believe what Jake had just said. NOBODY had told her he had gotten adopted. Not ever her own mother or father and she was sure they had known!

Her and Jake weren't siblings anymore, and that hurt to know. Yet, they still shared the same last name, which still linked them somehow. But... they weren't siblings. Not anymore. Not ever. There would never be anymore sibling bonding between them. If there was bonding, it would be friendship... IF there was bonding, which there might not even be.

"YOU kept this from me the whole time. The WHOLE bloody time you didn't tell me you were adopted," she said as she pointed at Jake. "Why?" Right after she asked that, she decided she didn't even want to know the answer to that question. "Nevermind. It doesn't matter," she added.

"I...I...I got to go now," she abruptly announced. "I'm just going to go, er, get my shoes, then go...somewhere." ANYWHERE but here. She took one last look at Jake before high tailing it back to the hospital wing to get her shoes.

As Reese raged and swore at him, Jake kept flinching away. For real? She was blaming HIM for his d-... for Heath not telling them anything? That was his problem?

Staying silent as Reese left, Jake stared at the floor, avoiding eye contact with the Healer and waiting for her to say or do something.

...

"Want Lawson," he said again, quietly. He was perfectly willing to go wait for him at the hospital wing, but... the man probably wasn't going to talk to him. Even now, when Jake needed to talk to SOMEONE. "Head hhhhurts."

Chyeah it did.

Suddenly feeling like she was right smack dab in the middle of a conversation that was really none of her business, Gabriella cleared her throat then made a show of glancing down at her heels. They still weren't back on her feet, so putting them on right now would give her a few seconds to waste while the Upstead un-siblings conversed.

When it was apparent that Reese was going to leave, Gabriella quickly slipped her feet back into her shoes and glanced up. "Well then, Miss Upstead, if you need anything---chitter chatter or something else of the sort---please feel free to drop by my office. I've got cookies," she said with a smile. She was just trying to make things somehow a little less awkward, but she didn't see that happening anytime soon.

"Oh, here---have a free butterbeer," she said. "That always cheers me up...and it's even Hogsmeade weekend right now. Maybe those shoes can walk you right on over there." She fished into her pocket and held out a coupon for Reese before turning back to Jake.

http://www.snitchseeker.com/school/c...ead-coupon.jpg

"Lawson?" she asked, her attention now fully focused on Jake. Ahh, yes. Gabriella remembered how close Jake and Marcus seemed to be that day Jake was admitted into the Hospital Wing for a broken...arm, she believed it was. "I'm guessing you mean Marcus Lawson, yes? The one who accompanied you into the Hospital Wing some time ago?"

Gabriella would have loved for Jake to take that third dose of Pepperup Potion, but she just didn't see that happening. He was far too upset to give in to taking any type of potion right now. If Marcus was what he wanted, Marcus was what he'd get. "Alright, then. I'll levitate you there, if you'd like. That is, unless you think you may be able to get there alone," she offered.

"Uh huh," Jake mumbled, kicking at the ground. Jeez, this place was the worst. Draaaaama drama drama. He'd go to the other Lawson too... later anyway. This one was closer.

Upon hearing that Ashford'd levitate him down there, Jake shook his head frantically... and then stopped because it made him too dizzy. He didn't want to BE moved when he could, you know, he COULD move. But... alone?

Feh.

"I ccccan walk... but..."

...

"Cuhh-come with mmme?" he added in a small voice. Ehhhh, now he felt like an idiot kid.

Apparently, levitation was out of the question, as well, as Jake was shaking his head in protest. She didn't blame him for not wanting to be levitated down two entire floors. That would undoubtedly cause a few hushed whispers and stares.

She nodded slowly when he said he could walk. She'd been willing to accompany of him, but if he'd prefer to go alone, she'd let him be. But then...in a small voice, he asked her if she'd go with him, causing her to break out into a warm, understanding smile.

"Of course I'll go with you," she said, offering no other words. She walk with him...and beside him...but she'd let him be independent otherwise. She'd sort of picked up on the fact that Jake would prefer that anyway. "I'm ready when you are."

Hugging Drew back, Annie felt safe and complete now. Even after Torin returned her journal to her, she had been feeling like dead at moments, and had not a bit of inspiration to write. After all, the only thing worth explaining to Phantom was the whole deal about Torin reading the parts where she called him cute. Oh my...

Imagine if Drew read the part where Annie mentioned him...it'd be like weird.

"Okay, time to head down to the nurse's office. I think I might just have a huge fever..." She told Drew, giggling.

Drew felt Annie hug him back and he smiled wide. He hadn't felt like this ever! Well maybe when he use to ride horses....nope! This wasssss way better. He heard her words and nodded as he pulled back from the hug. Annie sure did look like she had a fever.

Instead of putting his hand on her forehead checking for a fever he bit his lip and leaned carefully to her forehead. That's when he placed a small soft kiss on her forehead which was hot. "I would say you have a fever." He said pulling back to look at Annie once more.

Shiverrsss...

Annie smiled, although her high fever to that kiss. She knew the feeling was because of both reasons: she was starting to like kisses and hugs, mostly from Drew, and because his lips on her forehead felt cold. It was almost winter, after all.

"You shouldn't have done that, you know..." She whispered. "I'll ask Healer Ashford for pre-treatment in case you start sneezing or coughing. I'd never want to see you sick..." No, no...it'd be disastrous, both of them on their beds and having high fever and lots of kleenex boxes around them.

Drew chuckled as Annie seemed worried about him getting sick. "I know I shouldn't have but I rather take the risk." He said smiling wide. Well it was true! "No it's alright Annie. I'm sure I will be fine. I don't think you need to. But if it make you feel better alright." He wasn't going to fight with her. Besides isn't it always no matter what the girl is always right???

Annie widened her sight towards Drew when he mentioned not to worry. Of course she should worry, it might be her fault if he got sick. "Alright, if you think you'll be alright, I should calm down a bit. " But anyways, she'd ask Healer Ashford to check on him.

"As long as you're there, I'll be alright..." She said, in a soft and sweet whisper. It was so true, she'd need him in that small case.

I'm gonna post in Lawson's waiting room now
 

"Th-thanks," Jake replied, looking down the corridor and steeling himself with a deep breath.

Well, at least it wasn't UPstairs.

When he thought he could, Jake let go of the wall and started down the corridor. He could do this.

And that didn't just mean getting there.

Of course Gabriella didn't mind accompanying Jake. She hoped that the students would trust her enough to want her around even during their hardest times. This, she knew, was a pretty tough time for Jake. "You're very welcome," she replied, starting off down the corridor. Pretty soon she was out of sight, far along in her trek down to the first floor to speak with Marcus.

As Herminny ran fratically toward the hospital wing she felt something growing from her head and started to feel soft all over. She so did not want to see herself now, she knew she would so cry. But she knew she was almost there. The nightmare was almost over.

Sarah walked along the corridor, she decided that she would take a walk she had no idea where she was going and she didn't really care, she hadn't spoke to anyone lately, and she wanted to make some new friends.

Running between classes Ty see some one who seems to be just wandering along. Hi where are you going? You look lost can I help? Ty put on his winning smile. I'm Ty who are you?

Sarah smiled as she looked at Ty. "Nice to meet you Ty." Sarah giggled as he said who are you. "I'm Sarah Jessica Winchester." Sarah looked at Ty and smiled. "I don't know where I am going, I just decided to go for a walk and see where it took me." Sarah said as she comb her hair with her fingers.

Nice to meet you Sarah, can I walk with you? smiling with a hopeful look on his face. We could walk outside if you want. I always need a bit of fresh of air after class.