Chapter Five

Hazel sets down the coffee holder, which has the large coffees for Marco, Paige, Jimmy, Ellie, Alex’s and her down on the picnic table. She also set the take-out bag that has blueberry muffins in it for everyone down on the table. She hands everyone their large coffee and then gives them their muffin.

Marco: Thanks Paige, Hazel for the coffee and muffin. I’ll buy them tomorrow morning.
Ellie, Jimmy, and Alex: Yeah, thanks.

They all start eating their muffins, except for Alex who is just drinking her coffee and picking at her muffin, but not really eating it. Paige looks at Alex with a concerned look on her face, but Alex is paying no attention to anyone. She just continues to pick at her muffin and sip her coffee.

Paige: Lexi, aren’t you going to eat your muffin?
Alex: I don’t have an appetite today.
Ellie: Lexi, are you sure you’re not getting sick?
Alex: I am not getting sick, Ellie. Just leave me alone.

With that, Alex stands up and throws the muffin into the trash can and continues to sip her coffee as she walks into the school and heads to her locker. Paige gets up and follows her girlfriend into the school and to her locker. Paige stops next to Alex and puts her hand on Alex’s shoulder because Alex is staring into her open locker with both her hands over her face crying.

Paige: Lexi, you can tell me the truth. What’s wrong?
Alex: I’m tired, overworked, and I do not get my homework done so it’s going to be late again. I am also going to fail that Biology test, because I fell asleep last night before I could study for the test.
Paige: (Hugs Alex) Lexi, you are pushing yourself too hard. Call Merri and take tonight off work. I’ll cover your shift because I have tonight off, honey.
Alex: (Clears her throat) I love too, but Emily and Chad needs the money too much right now.
Paige: But it’s not going to help Emily or Chad if you continue to push yourself and get sick.
Alex: Paige, I do not get sick. Ask Jay, he will tell you that.
Paige: Lexi, everyone gets sick at one time or another in their life.
Alex: The bell is going to ring. I’ll see you in the M.I. lab when class starts. Save me a seat.
Paige: Sure, but where are you going to go?
Alex: I need to use the restroom first.
Paige: Ok, honey.

Alex closes her locker door and relocks it. She puts her book bag back on her shoulder and starts walking toward the girls’ restroom. On the way, she throws her empty coffee cup into the trash can that in the hallway. Alex walks into the restroom and goes into the first stall and closes and locks the door. She then leans up against the locked door and unzips her book bag and pulls the bag from the drug store out. She takes the bottle of water she bought out along with the bottle of Advil cold and flu. She takes two Advil and three sips of the water to swallow the pills with. Alex then puts the Advil in the front pocket of her book bag and puts the cap on the water bottle. She puts the water bottle back into her book bag and re-zips the book bag. Paige is watching the door of the M.I. lab for Alex. When the last bell rings, Alex walks into the room and takes a seat next to Paige. Mr. Simpson looks over at Alex.

Mr. Simpson: Miss Nuñez, you just made it into class on time. Try to get here before the bell rings from now on.
Alex: (Speaking softly) Yes, Mr. Simpson.
Mr. Simpson: All right class, get working on any homework you need to get done for any of your classes.

Alex takes out her Biology notes and starts studying for the Biology make up tests she has to take during fifth period.