A Stomach Bug?

Tuli

September was drawing to a close, and it had been about a month since that dream. Jayce and I hadn’t exchanged a word outside of class, except for the occasional email about homework. I was grateful for the distance. Being in the same room with him was awkward enough. I didn’t need the added tension of a one-on-one conversation.

I’ll admit, there were times when I found myself outside his office, tempted to knock. But the thought of being alone with him, of being sprawled across his desk, sent me scurrying away.

Armand and I had become close friends. Given everything else I was dealing with, I was relieved to have his friendship. He was the only friend I had at school.

It wasn’t for lack of trying. I’d attempted to make friends, but most people didn’t seem to like me much.

It was 12:15, and I was leaving my Anatomy & Physiology class, trying to decide what to eat, when I heard someone call my name.

“Tuli!”

I turned to see Armand heading my way, a bright smile on his face. ~Does he ever not smile?~ I thought, a smile spreading across my own face.

As usual, he wrapped his arms around me in a bear hug, and my stomach lurched.

“Armand. Can’t breathe.”

“Sorry, just excited to see you.”

“You’re always excited to see me,” I laughed. That was a mistake.

“Yes, but today my professor was sick, so I don’t have class until two.”

“Oh, okay,” I replied. “So what are you going to do?”

“Do you have class? We could go to lunch together.”

I hesitated. It wasn’t that I didn’t want to go. But what if he thought it was a date? I was still shy around him after the party. Plus, I was starting to feel a little queasy.

But he was a good friend, and I wanted to spend time with him. And I needed to eat.

Then I saw his puppy-dog eyes, and I couldn’t say no.

“Lead the way,” I said.

With a big grin, he took my hand and led me to the parking lot. Or rather, he dragged me. I couldn’t keep up with his enthusiastic stride.

I laughed as Armand pulled me toward his car, trying to ignore the twinge in my stomach.

Jayce

It was a warm day, so I left my window open.

~This school really needs to invest in air conditioning,~ I thought.

I was grading papers when I saw something out of the corner of my eye.

A head of red hair.

Walking hand in hand with a taller head of black hair.

I’d never been the jealous type, but I wasn’t surprised to find that I was now.

I hated to admit that I didn’t know how to handle my feelings for Tuli.

I shook my head and looked away, telling myself I had no reason to be jealous. We weren’t in a relationship.

And if I went out more, I’d probably have a different girl in my bed every night. Tuli had every right to be with another man if she wanted to.

I decided to grab lunch from the cafeteria. But I should’ve known better. The food was unappetizing.

Checking my watch, I decided I had time to go off campus for lunch.

I ended up at a Pho restaurant. I parked my car and walked inside.

The sound of a familiar laugh filled the air.

~Shit~. I’d figured Tuli and the Italian kid would go off campus for lunch, but I hadn’t expected them to come here.

I went to the counter and ordered takeout. They told me to sit and wait for my order, so I sat down with my back to Tuli and her friend, hoping she wouldn’t notice me.

But luck wasn’t on my side.

“Oh, hi, Mr. Mitchell.”

I turned and waved. “Hello, Tuli. Are you eating here, too?”

I immediately wanted to smack myself for asking such a stupid question. Of course she was eating here.

She got up and came over to my table, her Italian friend trailing behind her.

“Yeah, we decided to get off campus. This is Armand. Armand, this is my English professor, Mr. Mitchell.”

“Nice to meet you, Armand,” I said, standing up and offering my hand.

He smiled back, but it didn’t reach his eyes. ~He must like Tuli if he’s only pretending to be polite~. “Nice to meet you, too, sir.”

“I don’t have you in my class,” I said. “Are you taking English?”

His smile faded. “English has never been my thing.”

“Oh, he’ll have to take it eventually,” Tuli teased, “if he wants his degree.”

That hit a nerve. I had to remind myself that they were just friends. I kept smiling, even though it was starting to feel forced. “Well, if you do end up in my class, I look forward to teaching you.”

“Thanks,” he mumbled.

The conversation died, and an awkward silence filled the air.

“Well, don’t let me keep you from your meal. I’m just waiting for my order, then I’ll be heading back.”

They returned to their table, and I sat down to wait for my food.

I felt uncomfortable being in the same room, my jealousy simmering in the back of my mind. I pulled out my phone to check my email.

I was about to open an email from my sister when they called my order number.

I grabbed my food and thanked the employee, then turned to leave. As I was about to walk out the door, I heard a horrible sound. A foul smell filled the air.

Someone had thrown up.

I spun around to find Tuli hunched over a pool of vomit, her face ghostly white.

I let my food fall from my hands and rushed to her side, dropping to my knees. “Are you okay?”

“I think I caught a stomach bug,” she gasped, before throwing up again.

I held her hair back as Armand gently patted her back, offering what comfort he could. “What happened?” I asked him.

“I’m not sure,” he replied, worry etching his face. “We were just eating and talking, then out of nowhere she said she felt sick. I was about to help her to the bathroom when she just...” He gestured to the mess on the floor.

I touched the back of my hand to her forehead. “God, Tuli, you’re on fire!”

She started to topple over, but I caught her before she could face-plant into her own sick.

“She’s passed out.”