Sick Day

That girl didn't answer any of my questions about the day before. How was I supposed to protect them all if they couldn't even be bothered to tell me when something went wrong? They acted as if nothing happened and just ignored my repeated questions. Caden refused to answer after I cornered him even though he was the one angry at Aiden for something. Unfortunately, in this case, demons are one of the most loyal Arcane Species. I knew they would have my back, but I knew they had each other's backs even more.

The entire night I laid in my bed awake thinking about what could have possibly happened to make Caden angry at his brother to the point he didn't trust him not to lose control with Sage. The twins never really hold grudges against each other, so this was big. It had to be bad.

When the time came for my alarm to go off, I was still awake. Almost robotically I climbed from the bed and got ready for school. The men's uniform matched the girls to an almost silly level. The only difference is that instead of a plaid skirt I had plaid pants. That's right they decided to be super posh or whatever and make us wear plaid pants. Who the hell comes up with this shit? And can I kill them?

My thoughts circled around meaningless topics to distract myself from my worry while I got everything, I needed for the school day. I had a big test in Math, so I made sure to grab my notes to read over before class.

Leaving my room, I walked over and knocked on Maddox's door. We had our first period together, so we always walk with each other. He answered after a while. I could hear him moving around the room slowly and furrowed my brows. When he opened the door, I could see why he had been moving so slowly. He looked like absolute shit. "You feeling, okay?" I asked him stepping into the room.

He was haphazardly dressed. His shirt buttoned wrong, and half-tucked into his pants was wrinkled and his tie was crooked, and the knot was wonky. "I feel like hot garbage." He grumbled.

Sitting on the edge of his bed he started trying to shove his sockless feet into his shoes. I reached over and felt his forehead. He was burning up so hot I went right to the medicine cabinet in his bathroom to grab some ibuprofen and a thermometer without a word. Maddox's lip curled when he saw me and was about to protest but I wasn't having it. I shoved the thermometer into his mouth before he could sign any dissent.

He threw out a few obscene signs that I pretended not to notice as I went to grab him a bottle of water. The thermometer started beeping so I pulled it from his mouth and read it. "Shit," I murmured.

I shook out two ibuprofen and handed them to Maddox. "Take these and get back in your pajamas," I ordered him.

I pulled out my phone and sent a message to the group chat not caring if Maddox saw.

Dante: Can anyone take the day off to watch over Maddox? He's got a high fever and if it gets any worse, he needs to see the nurse.

Caden: Aiden and I have a big lab in Chemistry today. We can't get out of it without an excused absence.

I sighed thinking I would have to miss my test and just eat the zero when my phone dinged with a message.

Sage: I can. I don't have anything important today that I can't make up later.

I bit my lip. I needed to take this test, but I also hated leaving Maddox in the care of anyone besides myself. The phone buzzed in my hand.

Aiden: He'll take a while to answer as he works through the guilt of not being the one to take care of Maddox himself.

I frowned at the phone before typing out a reply.

Dante: You're such an Asshole. No wonder your mother likes me more than you.

Dante: Thank you, Sage. Can you come to his room now?

It took a moment before she responded.

Sage: Already on my way.

I smirked at my phone then my brows raised when there was a knock on the door. She hadn't been kidding. Opening it I found Sage in her uniform but instead of the shiny black oxfords, she was wearing her speckled lion slippers that looked like Maddox when he shifted over her knee-high socks. She walked in and looked around just as Maddox exited the bathroom in just a low-slung pair of sweatpants. I smirked when I saw that he was wearing the raven slippers that Sage had gotten him. "Got you a nurse. Don't get too excited because I'm not paying her enough to give you a sponge bath." I spoke to him before he had even seen Sage.

Maddox looked up and frowned at me. "Dick." He signed before laying back down on the bed.

"For the record, I would do it for free." Sage surprised me by saying.

I could see from where I was standing that Maddox had turned red up to his ears. I turned towards Sage and handed her the thermometer and medicine. "He had a fever of 115.3. It's pretty high for his species. If he gets to 118, you'll need to call the nurse. I just gave him two of those and there is some medicine in the cabinet in the bathroom. Give him a double dose of whatever the instructions are." I listed off anything I could think of as important, and Sage nodded along.

"Okay. I will keep you guys updated." She nodded her head with finality.

"Do you guys need anything before I head off to class?" I asked.

Sage shook her head and Maddox let out a snore from the bed. "If we need anything I can run out and grab it really quick or have it delivered." She answered.

She walked over towards Maddox, and I watched as she pushed the golden stands back from his sweat-beaded face. "I'll come to take over after classes. I know you have work tonight."

Sage nodded in agreement, so I left them to it and headed off to class.