Calling In Sick v3

I awoke to the ring of my alarm clock and quickly turned it off. Had it been any other day, it would of just came across as its usual rhythmic beeping, but today the beeping sounded more like a high pitch shriek. I lay there looking at my ceiling with my head throbbing intensely, this was pretty bad. I tried to yawn but the crackles in my throat brought me into a coughing fit. I quickly reached for the water I left on my nightstand just in case this would happen and and finished the glass in a few gulps. I gasped for air at my now slightly relieved throat and could hear a slight wheezing. I tried to sit up and blow my nose but my vision blurred and my head felt as if it weighed a ton, so I quickly went back to lying down.

"I'm a mess," I croak quietly. "I knew I should've brought that umbrella."

A few days ago it rained pretty badly during school. The weather report didn't suggest anything of the sort would happen, so I didn't bring an umbrella, but by the time it started, there was no way it was going to let up anytime soon, so I thought I'd just bear with it and go home through the rain rather than wait it out. The cold air mixed with being soaked was, apparently, the perfect recipe for me to catch a very nasty cold. It started off relatively tame, just a runny nose and the occasional cough, but it got worse around a day later. I had a constant headache and I had coughed so much that I developed a pretty bad sore throat, and I was hoping if I went to bed early I'd sleep it off. But now, it's even worse.

Going to school in this state would be futile - getting myself out of bed felt like an impossible task, let alone lasting throughout the entire day, and even if I could all I would achieve is spreading this nasty bug. Resolving to call it in for today, I grab my phone and message my mom, telling her that I don't feel well. Within minutes, she messages back, telling me that she'll call the school and to get some rest. I respond with a thank you message and effortlessly fall back asleep.

I wake up again and feel the warmth of the sun through my window. Once I open my eyes it feels  however like I'm starting directly at it. The intensity nearly blinded me and made my migraine worse. Paining myself, I reach out of bed, close the blinds, and rub my temples for a few moments. After the pulsating pain subsides, I'm left with the original dull headache I had beforehand. I slowly get up to use the bathroom, stumbling the entire time. By the time I'm finished, I notice I'm shivering. "Jeez mom, didn't you turn the heater on today?" I tell myself. I quickly trip back to my bed and wrap myself in the blanket, trying to warm myself up. I look over at my phone and notice I have a couple of notifications, all from Yuri. "Yuri? Why did she message me?" I tap on my messages and read them.

Yuri at 8:05 AM
I didn't see you come in today. Did you have trouble getting up? Please don't be late.

Yuri at 9:33 AM
You still haven't arrived yet, did you sleep in? The teacher asked me if you were coming in and I couldn't answer him.

Yuri at 10:05 AM
You didn't come to class. Is everything okay? I'm starting to get worried. I hope nothing bad has happened to you. Please message me back.

She seems pretty worried about me. I look at the time on my phone, "10:26 AM". It's later than what would be comfortable, but it's not been too long since her last message, and I wouldn't want her to worry anymore than she already is. I roll over and grab my phone with both hands and start typing.

Sent at 10:27 AM
Hey, sorry I did sleep in. I'm not exactly feeling too good. lol

Around a minute goes by before I get a reply .

Yuri at 10:29 AM
What's wrong? Are you okay? Why did you sleep in?"

I could feel the anxiety through the phone. I'd rather not keep her waiting. I quickly start typing.

Sent at 10:30 AM
Nothing serious, just sick. I told you I wasn't feeling well the other day, I just hit the worst of it this morning

Yuri at 10:31 AM
That is serious! I was already worried when you told me you weren't feeling well before, now you're feeling worse!

Sent at 10:31 AM
Sorry! I didn't think it would get worse. I thought I could tough it out

Yuri at 10:32 AM
You can't just "tough" out a cold Anon. That's juvenile thinking.

Yuri at 10:32 AM
Not that I'm saying you're a child of course! I mean that mindset is what makes peoples sickness get worse.

Sent at 10:33 AM
Lol I knew what you meant Yuri don't worry. I just didn't want to have the whole bed ridden taking medicine all day part hit me

Yuri at 10:34
You mean you haven't done anything to help relive the symptoms?

Sent at 10:35 AM
...does water count?

Yuri at 10:35 AM
Just water? No!

Yuri at 10:35 AM
I mean yes, it does! But you have to have more than just water if you want to make a swift and full recovery!

Yuri at 10:36 AM
Don't you have any medicine to take?

Sent at 10:36 AM
I don't think so, I'll go check. brb

Yuri at 10:37  AM
Okay, message me back as soon as you can

Sent at 10:43 AM
Alright I'm back. All we have is some some painkillers

Yuri at 10:43 AM
No no no. That simply won't do. You don't have anything else?

Sent at 10:44 AM
Nope, I checked everywhere. Nothing, and I'm in no state to be going out and getting medicine.

Yuri at 10:45 AM
I wouldn't want you too! I want you to get better as soon as you can.

Yuri at 10:46 AM
I have an idea.

Sent at 10:47 AM
What is it?

Sent at 10:55 AM
Yuri?

Yuri at 10:58 AM
Sorry, just having a hard time saying it,

Sent at 10:59 AM
No problem. Take your time.

Yuri at 11:01 AM
I happen to have all the items required to ail someone with a heavy cold. If it's alright with you, I'd like to come over after school to give them to you.

Yuri at 11:01 AM
If that's alright with you

Yuri at 11:01 AM
If it's not I understand! It would be odd of me coming over to your house so suddenly.

Sent at 11:02 AM
Relax Yuri, it's okay. That sounds nice, I'd like to have your company.

Yuri At 11:03 AM
Are you sure? I wouldn't want to impose.

Sent at 11:04 AM
Not at all. Consider it an invitation.

Yuri at 11:05 AM
I'd like that very much. I'll see you after school then.

Sent at 11:05 AM
I look forward to it.

Yuri at 11:07  AM
I look forward to it as well. For now try to get more rest, it's the best course of action for you without any ailments. I'll message you when school is done.

Sent at 11:07 AM
Will do, take care.

I put my phone away and get ready to go back to sleep. So now Yuri's coming over. The only time I was with her outside of school was a trip to the library to get her books. She was less bashful once she was there and was eager to tell me about the books she was renting and returning. I'm not exactly a book worm myself, but seeing her come out of her shell to tell me about the themes and meanings of the books was endearing. Now we'll be hanging out again, only this time she'll be out of her element. Even though she'll be here for my sake, I resolve to do my best to make her feel comfortable, and before long, my thoughts trail off as I fall back asleep.


I wake back up to the sound of my phone ringing, but it was more comparable to a church bell ringing in my head.  I shake off the pain and answer.

"Hello?" I answer in a groggy voice.

"Anon? It's Yuri"

"Oh hey Yuri."

"Did I wake you up?" she asks with a concerned tone in her voice.

"Yeah, but It's okay. Is school over?"

"Yes, actually that's why I was calling. I wanted to make sure you were still okay with me um..coming over."

"Yeah of course, I'm glad you woke me up, I didn't want to miss it."

I can hear her laugh softly under her breath.

"Are you on your way now?"

"No, I still have to go home and get the items and get ready. I'll be arriving there in an hour. Is that a good enough time for you ?"

"Yeah definitely. I'll see you soon."

"Mhmm, see you soon."

I hang up and stare at my room. My headache's gone away a bit, but it's still bothersome. "I might as well shower, I probably smell." I wouldn't have  been able to tell anyway since my nose has been stuffed all day. I pull myself out of bed. "Besides, Yuri would probably recommend that I do that." I laugh to myself as I get the shower ready. The shower helped more than I thought It would. The steam cleared my nose a bit and the hot water was able to finally heat me up, so maybe Yuri was right about me needing to do more than just tough it out.

I put on some new clothes, a pull over hoodie and a pair of sweatpants and lay back down.  There's  still half an hour left before Yuri is suppose to arrive so I do my best not to make things worse. A few minutes later I get a message from Yuri, is she outside already? I grab my phone and look at the message.

"Yuri at 3:41 PM

It's occurred to me that I never asked for your address. "

I let out a hoarse laugh and go into a small coughing fit. After I regain myself I start replying.

"Sent at 3:43 PM

That's right lol. Here"

I send her my address and describe my house to her so she doesn't struggle trying to find the right one.  Knowing her, her nerves would probably get the best of her and she'd stand there all day before deciding.

Yuri sends me one more text confirming she's on her way. It didn't occur to me until now but I was pretty nervous. I had the strong urge to clean my room despite my woozy state and I kept checking myself in my mirror to make sure I looked okay. I didn't look bad, but you could still tell I was sick. I stared at my window, avoiding the beams of light breaking through the blinds and waited somewhat anxiously for her to arrive. Not long after I get one more message from her.

Yuri at 3:55 PM

I've arrived. It's this house correct?

She describes my house with the same detail I gave her earlier.

Sent at 3:57 PM

Yup that's the one! I'll be coming out now

I  start wobbling my  way to the front door. I didn't want to keep her waiting, but any faster and I'd probably trip and have more to worry about besides being sick. Once I get to the door I take a deep breath, as deep as my lungs would let me anyway. "Relax, everything will be fine" I whisper to myself. I open the door and brace the cold snap of the outside. I see Yuri at the end of the small walkway in front of my house and wave at her  A smile came across her face when she saw me and turned around to wave at the car behind her.  The windows were tinted a bit, but I could  make out a hand waving back before driving off. While Yuri started making her way to me, I noticed she wasn't wearing her school uniform anymore. She was wearing black pants tucked into a pair of brown winter boots. She wore thick looking jacket with a fur collar, and a scarf matching her boots tucked into the jacket. She was holding on to a small bag with a pair of black gloves. I couldn't help but notice her elegant stride as she walked towards me as well, she moved as graceful as she looked. It made me feel severely under dressed, like royalty visiting a commoner.

Once she got to my front door she greeted me with a soft smile.

"Hello Anon. How are you feeling?"

"Hey Yuri, I've been better" I tell with a smirk, coughing a bit. Yuri's face soured a bit at the sound of my cough.

"I can tell. You shouldn't be out here in the cold. It'll make things worse."

 Her face turns red a bit as she digs her face into her scarf and breaks eye contact with me.

"Um, may I come in?" she says muted through the scarf.

I quickly nod and step aside. "Oh uh yeah! Of course come on in!"

Yuri takes a couple of steps in and looks around my house. Her usual soft demeanor makes it difficult to decipher what she thinks about my house, so it's making me pretty nervous.  She takes a few more steps, surveying my house. There's a few moments of silence while she seems entranced at the detail of my house but I felt like it was time I'd break it and show some hospitality. Just because I'm sick doesn't mean I can't be a good host.

"Can I get you something?" I croak, clearing the flem that's built up in my throat.

I could see Yuri was visibly startled at the sudden noise and she quickly turned around to face me.

"Oh um no that's okay."  she replied with a polite smile.

"Are you sure? Maybe you'd like some coffee?" I ask as I point towards the kitchen. Yuri follows my hand before shaking her head.

"No thank you. I brought some tea and if I were to mix the tea with the coffee I don't think my stomach would like that very much."

"Oh alright, it's just that I feel a bit rude not being hospitable, and you seem to be a bit nervous."

Her face blushes to the usual shade it does when I'd point out something she was unaware of. "Oh you noticed?" she says as she starts twirling the end of her violet hair. "Well yes, I am a bit nervous. It's been a very long time since I've been in someone else's home. It's a bit of a shock sometimes to see how much homes vary in design. "