It was Monday again...
The weekend felt like it never even happened. It disappeared like thin air, and honestly, I expected that. Time always moves fast when I'm just lazing around.
Anyway, I woke up late again.
Of course, it was because of late-night gaming. No surprise there.
I rushed to school, already knowing what awaited me. I was late again. It was always like this on Mondays.
Not once had I ever arrived on time. But really, what's the point of being early?
It's not like they give out medals for it.
As I arrived and got in line for the morning ceremony, Ms. Kulala was already in front, talking like she always did.
Her voice was background noise at this point something you hear but never listen to.
I looked around.
Strangely, I didn't see Lucas anywhere.
That was odd. He was usually there, right beside me, spacing out with his arms crossed.
I figured maybe he was just running later than usual. It was already past the flag ceremony, and even the late ceremony had started.
But when I entered the classroom, there he was Lucas grinning at me like an idiot.
As I walked to my seat, he came over, still chuckling.
"Eh, you didn't learn at all,"
he said with a smirk.
I glared at him.
I wanted to punch his smug face so badly, but people might take it the wrong way.
So instead, I held back and said,
"Honestly, how the hell did you wake up early? I slept earlier than you."
He grinned again.
"Sleep?"
I blinked.
"Don't tell me—"
Lucas laughed.
"That's right. I didn't sleep at all."
I laughed too and said,
"I hope you won't shut down during Mr. Frednim's class."
Suddenly, his smile faded. Stress took over his face as he realized something.
"Oh crap… I forgot today is his subject."
Two subjects passed.
Lucas was out cold, completely dead to the world.
He didn't even make it to the fifth subject. Just before our History class began, he stirred slightly and mumbled:
"Marcus… please, I'm begging you… wake me up when it's Mr. Frednim's class…"
I tried to keep a straight face and replied with a grin,
"Don't worry, trust me. I'll do it… just like you asked."
Then it was time.
Mr. Frednim entered, walking in his usual intimidating way, and started checking every student one by one.
There he was Lucas sleeping like a baby.
I didn't even try to wake him up. Instead, I silently laughed to myself as Sir Frednim made his way over.
Just as expected, he grabbed Lucas by the wrist and pulled him up, the same way he always did with sleeping students.
"Stand in front,"
he said.
Lucas stood there in front of the whole class for the entire subject, looking like he wanted to murder me.
I kept messing with him, making funny faces from my seat, trying not to burst out laughing.
Midway through the lesson, Mr. Frednim said something unexpected:
"Okay class, I've checked your group works. I will say this Group 1's leader, Marcus, did well this time."
" He submitted the project earlier than the others. Because of that, I'll give his group some plus points. I hope the rest of you follow his example."
I froze in my seat. I wasn't embarrassed because I got praised I was embarrassed because I hadn't done anything.
It was all Calliope.
When class ended, I wanted to go over and thank her. But my feet didn't move.
'Who am I, really?'
Just a classmate.
I didn't want her to think I was just trying to talk to her because I want something from her.
I won't make the same mistake as before, I told myself and walked over to Lucas instead.
He met me halfway and lightly punched me in the back.
"Dude, what the hell? Why didn't you wake me up earlier? That was so embarrassing it ruined the whole class for me."
I laughed.
"Let's just say… that's payback for something you did."
He stared at me, confused.
"I didn't do anything though."
Later, we went to the café, like we always did after a rough day.
We laughed and complained about school like usual until I saw her.
Calliope.
She was sitting with her friend, talking to some guy. I didn't know who he was. I didn't even care.
But something in my chest tightened.
A strange, heavy feeling.
I slowed down...
'W-What the hell is wrong with me…? Am I getting sick?'
I tried to ignore it as Lucas and I kept walking. Her image faded behind us.
Classes ended.
I went home, trying not to think about it. But I knew what I felt.
It was back.
The pain in my chest.
Yes, I've had a weak heart since I was young. I thought I was better now. I hadn't felt this way in a long time.
I took my medicine.
But suddenly, my heart started beating fast way too fast.
Everything spun around me. Then darkness.
When I woke up, I was in a familiar room.
The hospital.
A man entered with a clipboard in hand.
I knew him right away.
"Oh, you're awake now, Marcus,"
the doctor said.
He was the same one who had treated me since I was a kid.
"You collapsed,"
he explained.
"You overdosed on your medication."
I blinked, confused.
Collapsed...? But I thought I was supposed to take it whenever I felt that heavy feeling...
"I just did what you told me to do,"
I said quietly.
He nodded slowly.
"Yes, but the medication is only for when you actually feel the symptoms. You probably took it too soon. That's what caused the problem."
"Ah… I forgot,"
I muttered.
He gave me a reassuring look and left the room.
Then came the real boss battle my mother.
She stormed in and scolded me nonstop.
I couldn't blame her, really.
I had scared her.
I ended up skipping a whole day of school, just resting, staring at the ceiling, wondering what that strange pain really was.
'Maybe it wasn't just my heart this time…'