Just as my day was horrible, my night was equally bad. I went to bed relatively early but my body decided it had other plans. I spent my night throwing up, coughing and sneezing. I knew I didn't feel the best earlier in the day, I just assumed it was everything that happened that caused me to feel bad. Boy was I wrong.

My dad didn't hear me on any of my many trips to and from the bathroom. If he did he would have checked on me. Mom was at work, if she were home she would have definitely heard me. Her nurse/mother senses would have tingled. I wish she were home to take care of me. I felt like complete shit.

Morning came all too quickly. I maybe got a total of three hours of sleep. I was exhausted and didn't have the energy to get up out of bed. I was starting to feel queasy again so I jumped out of bed and darted out of my room and to the bathroom. Thankfully it was empty.
After I finished my buisness and brushed my teeth I was on my way back to my room only to be caught by my mom who just got home.

"Taylor, did you just throw up?" Mom asks with concern.

Okay Taylor act natural.

"Pshh...nooo." I replied, avoiding her stare. As soon as I said that I felt that feeling of needing to vomit again and dashed back to the bathroom.

Mom came to stand by the door that I didn't even bother closing, "You are sick."

"Maybe a little." I groan into the toilet. It had become my best friend.

"What's going on?" Dad says coming to stand by mom.

"Our daughter is sick. Too sick to go to school." Mom informs.

"Taylor is sick?" That was Carter.

"Yes. Tay, you are not going to school. Let's get you cleaned up so I can take you to the doctor." Mom tells me.

"Honey you just got home, I will take her. I was planning on working from home, anyways." Dad offers.

"Then who is going to take me to school, my chauffeur is sick." Carter chimes in. I would have gotten onto him for calling me his chauffeur but I had no energy for that.

"I will take you." Mom tells him.

I lift my head from the toilet, "Mom, dad I am fine. I can go to school and take Carter as well."

Mom comes closer to feel my head, "No way. You are burning up. The only place you are going is to the doctor. Carter go get ready." She orders. "Come on, sweetie, I will help you get cleaned up." Mom sighs.

I groan, "I can't miss school, I have a test that I studied all night for." Actually, I gave up studying right before my first round of puking. I was not ready for that test.

"You can make it up later." Dad says as he goes gets dressed.

Thirty minutes later, dad and I were in the car on the way to the doctor. Mom said she would call him from the car so we could get in right away. One of the perks of your mom working with doctors. Dad made me bring a bucket along in case I had the need to throw up again. I still felt really nauseous but not enough to need to throw up. I was also feeling quite stuffy and my head was pounding.

Mom texted me and told me to text her what I wanted from the store. I told her tissues and cough drops. She asked if I wanted any food but I knew with the way my stomach was acting, food was the last thing I wanted. Knowing my mom she will get me something special anyway.

"So, how do you think you got sick?" Dad randomly asks me.

"I don't know. It's the beginning of flu season. I go to school with four hundred other kids. One of them is bound to spread germs." I guess.

"Mhm." Dad nods. "You don't think it has anything to do with you sneaking out at midnight and not coming back until two."

My heads snaps towards him. "I haven't been sneaking out." I deny.

"You can deny it all you want but I know you have been." Dad frowns.

"Alright fine, I have. Only a couple of nights, it isn't every night." I give in. He knew so there was no point in lying to him.

"And you are going to..." Dad starts and I nod. "Why didn't you tell me and your mom?" He asks disappointed.

Cause I knew you all would make a bigger deal out of it than need be. Cause I didn't want you to know that I am having a hard time with every thing. Cause I am to selfish and stubborn to ask for your help. Cause I shut people out.

Those were the things I wanted to say but couldn't get myself to say them. Those words were on the tip of my tongue but I couldn't do it. I know that if I do, a weight would poasibly be lifted off my shoulders. But there was a part of me that was having a hard time believing it.

"I didn't think it was a big deal." I say instead. It was a big deal.

Dad sighs, "I'm not going to ask you about it. Just know, your mom and I are here for you whenever you are ready to talk. Especially with the next month. You may need us."

He was right. I do need them. I was too afraid to admit it. I wanted to talk to them but I stopped myself every fucking time.

For the rest of the morning dad kept to light conversation and I was thankful. The doctor visit went awful. Turns out I didn't have the flu but a stomach bug and a sinus infection. How fun. Not. I also had to get a shot in the hip, that wasn't fun at all.

The doctor told me to stay home from school for a few days and only if I felt up for it, I could attend school on Friday. Knowing my mom she will make me stay home to be on the safe side. When one of us gets sick she goes into full on mom mode. It's worse since she is a nurse. She wasn't thrilled when dad made her go to bed when we got back. Mom wanted to tend to my every need but she had just worked a twelve hour shift so she needed sleep. I'm sure dad also took her phone so she wouldn't text me. Dad did do a good job caring for me but mom does it better. Don't tell my dad.

Lacey and I Facetimed that evening, she was going to come over for a visit but my mom nixed that pretty quick. I mentioned to Lacey about my conversation I had with Logan at Leo's, she said she was still thinking about it all. I told her to take enough time but not too much time. I would have given her better advice but I was feeling extremely drowsy.

On Thursday I still felt terrible. Carter was nice enough to pick me up some Froyo from Waffle Cones when he and dad got home that evening. It was sweet of him. Although he did have dad bring it in to me, Carter hates being anywhere near sick people. I still felt the love from my little brother.

Friday morning came and there wasn't really any progress so as I predicted, mom made me stay home. She did, however, allow me to go to the last football game of the season. It was mandatory that I cheer at it. Mom was hesitant but gave me the green light. I was only allowed to be at the game then I had to go home. Considering I was still grounded, I wasn't allowed to hang out with my friends.

The game went well, we won. Everyone was super happy. All of the senior football players were sentimental, even Johnny. Even though senior night was two week ago, this final game was the real deal. These boys won't play on this team ever again. I totally understand where they are coming from. It won't be too much longer until my high school cheer days are over. I mean there is still basketball but season but cheering on your football team is different.

I hung back for a few minutes and talked to Lacey before exhaustion started setting in. I said my good byes to my bestie with the promise of calling her in the morning.

I walked over to my car to see someone standing near it. At first I thought it was Johnny but I saw him leave with Phillip earlier. They were probably going to celebrate. When I got closer I recognized the person to be Nick. I was not prepared for this conversation. I told myself that I would spend the weekend preparing what to say to him and Phillip. Guess this was happening now.

Awesome.

I try to appear quietly but my cough gives me away. I've been betrayed by a cough. I put a cough drop in my mouth then take a deep breath. My cough disturbed Nick because he snapped his gaze from the ground to me. He was sporting that lovely scowl and his hazel eyes were hard but softened when they saw me.

"Cheerleader. " He says.

I roll my eyes and sniffle. Now I have to blow my nose. Man, I can't catch a break. I drop my bag onto the ground and begin searching for my tissues. I locate them then to save me from embarrassment and to keep from grossing Nick out, I turn around to blow my nose a couple of times. Once I feel like I've gotten the job done I turn back around.

Nick and I stand there staring at one another. The only sounds that are made are my sniffles and coughs. This dude is probably so grossed out by me right now. At one point I sneeze and have to get the entire box of tissues from my bag. To my luck a ton of snot comes out so in order to keep it from going every where, I ask Nick to get my tissues from my bag. He complies but a scrunched up look appears on his face like he might gag. I felt bad for him seeing me like this. This was one time where I wasn't my cute and put together self.

I finish blowing my nose once again, "Thanks." I mumble.

Nick chuckles, "I thought I pissed you off so bad that you needed a break from school. But seeing you like this, all sick, makes me think you ditched for a different reason."

He thought I missed three days of school because of what he did? He didn't even do anything! It was all my fault.

"Nick, you did nothing to me. I was having a few bad days and they finally caught up with me. I took my anger out on you and Phill-" I stop mid sentence. He didn't know that Phillip and I talk. Or were even acquainted.

"Who?" He asks with a confused look on his face.

Lie, Taylor, lie!

"Uhh...." I am at a loss for words. I look away from him and start toying with my bracelet. I feel Nick's gaze burning holes through me. I sigh, "Phillip Foster."

"Who is that?" He seriously doesn't know.

"Johnny's buddy." I mumble still looking down.

I glance up at Nick through my lashes and his face has gone back to his scowl and I notice his jaw clenching. "Did he do something to you?" He growls.

He was mad.

"Nope. I did it to him." I shake my head. "He wanted to know something and I do what I always do. He stayed calm when I refused to talk about it. I was the one who got mad." I admit shyly.

"Okay." Nick says slowly. I could tell he was confused as fuck but I wasn't going to be shedding any light on it.

"I'm sorry for snapping at you on Tuesday. I don't care why we eat in the AV room. If you like your life private then I accept it." I confess.

"I mean, I guess you were kind of right about me not wanting to eat in the cafeteria. I've never felt like I belong here, even if I do like it here. Students here talk. I don't want to be the reason you get any hate." He explains.

So he was protecting me?

"I think it's time we spent time together outside of the AV room." Nick suggests.

"What we eat in the cafeteria on Monday?" I ask.

"Not what I mean. I mean outside of school." He corrects.

"We've hung out outside of school though." I point out.

"With my friends. But not alone." He comments.

My heart picks up its pace. Was he suggesting we go out on a date? No, there was no way he was doing that. We still barely know each other. On the other hand, that is normally how people get to know someone, by going on a date with them. But that is only if they want to be your boyfriend. Isn't it?

I was confused.

"So...um...you are saying...we um...hang out...somehwere that isn't school. And all by ourselves?" I have difficulty getting it out. I was in a state of shock.

Nick laughs, "That is exactly what I am saying, cheerleader."

"Okay." I say out of nowhere.

"Good. Now let's exchange numbers." He says.

"What. Why?" I ask still a little stunned.

"Um...so we can plan something. And I will need your address." Nick says taking his phone out of his back pocket.

"Why do you need my address?" I laugh nervously.

"So I can pick you up." Nick says in a duh tone.

Right of course.

I take my phone out of my bag and hand it him and he gives me his. Instead of putting in my name I put in cheerleader since he refuses to call me by my name. After we are done we give the phones back. I notice that Nick put his contact name as Batman. I know that is a reference from when I first rode in his Jeep. I called it the Bat-mobile. I just laugh at him.

"I will be intouch. See ya later cheerleader." He says.

"Bye Batman!" I say loud enough for him to hear. He laughs before disappearing.

Nick and I were going to hang out, just the two of us, in a location that isn't at school. Oh be still my heart.