Chapter Text
December 20 2019
Billy's and Freddies room
"How many chapters are in the book?" Freddie asked from his bunk. He sat there with notes spread about him while his bad leg hung off the side.
"Which one?" I asked. I sat at our shared desk leaning over, trying to study as well, but my stomach has been bugging me all day, so staying focused was harder than it should be.
"The one for English, which other books would I be talking about? You know I don't read books unless they have pictures or-"
"Superheroes, yes I know," I said, cutting in.
"Smartass," I heard Freddie mumble under his breath.
I opened my copy of the Lost Hero by Rick Riordan and looked through the table of contents searching for the last chapter number.
"56," I told Freddie.
"Thanks," Freddie said, scribbling down the number on his paper.
The pain worsened in my stomach as if my intestines were fighting with each other and added a hint of nausea. I began rubbing circles, hoping to ease the pain.
My stomach started bothering me right before lunch, but I assumed it was from skipping breakfast. I had overslept this morning and barely had time to get dressed, throw on my sneakers, and grab my bag before getting in the van. Now, after having lunch and dinner, I was starting to think I might be sick.
"You ready to study some more we need to nail this test," Freddie commented not looking from his notes.
"Yeah...sure," I said in discomfort, continuing to rub circles along my stomach.
"Alright, what're the names of the three main protagonists?" Freddie asked.
Suddenly the pain in my stomach felt stronger, and I felt as if I might throw up.
"C' mon dude you know this I saw how hard you were reading the other day," Freddie encouraged. He noticed my hesitation but not my discomfort. Thank God
"Yeah... Umm," I said as nausea began to feel stronger. "Jason, Leo, and Piper."
"Correct," Freddie said, giving me a thumbs up and his traditional goofy smirk. I gave him a weak smile as the knots in my stomach tightened.
"So, you finished your essay. Right?" Freddie questioned.
"Yeah, I finished it during study hall today," I answered when a sudden chill came over me. I began rubbing both my arms up and down to try and warm up. It wasn't working.
"Cool," Freddie said as he looked up and noticed my discomfort, "You, cold?"
I nodded, "Can, you pass me my jacket?"
"What? Too lazy to get it yourself," Freddie lightly joked as he grabbed my hoodie and threw it to me. I caught my red hoodie and began to put it on. My body didn't agree with the sudden movement and began to feel worse. Once the hoodie was pulled on, I threw my hood up and closed my eyes.
"Alright, next question," Freddie said, began looking over his notes, "What school did the kids start at?"
"The wilderness school," I said quietly keeping my eyes closed. The jacket wasn't doing much to warm me up.
"Another one," Freddie smirked before looking up at me. "Are you okay? You seem kind of out of it?"
Another wave of pain hit, and I felt vomit crawling up my throat, "What?"
"Are you okay? You seem out of it?" Freddie repeated full of concern. I finally opened my eyes and looked at him.
"Yeah, I'm fine just tired from all this studying," I lied with a straight face.
I know, I know I shouldn't lie especially to Freddie, but It's just a stomachache, no biggie. Plus, I don't want to bother Freddie with my problems.
"You sure?" Freddie asked again looking concerned.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I repeated. I know I lied twice, but bothering Freddie with my problems isn't fair to him after all he's done for me, he shouldn't have to deal with any more of my crap. Freddie was my best friend, and I learned a long time ago if you become too much of a problem you will push people away that's what happened in the last few foster homes I've been in most didn't take me back after running away because they didn't want to feel responsible if something happened.
I know that everyone living here cares about me which is fantastic and comforting, but this new dynamic for me is new and feels as if one slip up might destroy it and I don't want that, so if that means I have to deal with a little stomach ache on my own fine by me.
I pushed down these thoughts and tried to ignore the swirling pain.
"Well if you're tired why don't we stop. I'm sure we've studied enough over the last two days," Freddie said beginning to pile his notes into a messy pile.
Best Idea ever.
"Sounds good," I replied as I did the same to my papers. As I piled my notes together and shoved them in my bag, a wave of nausea hit me, and I knew I was going to throw up. I quickly got up and began heading out of the room.
"Where are you going?" I heard Freddie ask with concern.
"Bathroom," I quickly said afraid I might throw up if I left my mouth open for too long.
I dashed down the hall stumbling into the bathroom right after Eugene left. I hurried over to the toilet, bending my head over and gripping the sides so hard my hands turned white. I let go of the vomit I had been holding, hoping I would feel better. Instead, my throat burned, my body convulsed, and my brow was drenched in sweat. When I finished, my stomach continued to twist in knots, but I felt no more nausea — a small comfort.
"Hey, almost done?" I heard from outside the door. It was Mary.
"Give me a minute," I yelled back trying to catch my breath.
I tore off a piece of toilet paper and wiped my mouth then flushed the toilet and went to the sink so I could brush my teeth and wash my hands. I did both as quickly and thoroughly as I could. While washing my hands, I saw how shitty I looked. My eyes had bags under them, and my face was pale as a ghost.
When I left the bathroom, Mary stood outside, scrolling through her phone. "All done?"
"Yep," I said before walking by her and heading back to my room.
"Goodnight Billy," She called before she closed the door.
When I got back, Freddie was changed into a pair of Supes pajamas. He laid on his bed, reading his favorite Superman comic. "Hey man, you okay-" Freddie began to say as he looked up and saw me.
"Shit man you look awful," Freddie said, standing up and walking over to me.
"Yeah, I'm fine just nervous about tomorrow and-" I said before yawning," really tired."
"You sure I mean you look paler than me, and that's saying something," Freddie said, still looking at me with fascination.
"Yeah, I'm fine just stop looking at me like that... it's creepy," I said brushing past him and heading over to my dresser.
"Okay, fine I'll stop," Freddie said, throwing his hands up into defense. I slowly changed into a pair of sweatpants before treading up into my bed.
Even though I wore a sweatshirt and sweatpants, I was still freezing, and my stomach again tossed and turned. I pulled the blankets up to my chin and curled up, hoping to get warm.
"Hey," Freddie said, casually. "Don't worry about the test we're going to do awesome."
"Yeah, you will," I told him. After all, the ditching Freddie and I did our grades dropped well at least Freddie's did mine didn't have anywhere to go but up. Freddie currently had B's and C's in his classes while I had mostly F's and a few C's.
Growing up, I was only focused on finding my Mom, so school was never a huge priority for me now though school was my top priority because Rosa and Victor cared about school. When they found out that I was cutting class, fighting and dragging Freddie into all of it, they were angry sure, but more disappointed. At the time, I was embarrassed and mad with myself, but now I have a chance to right that wrong and all the other mistakes I've made since arriving here. I need to show Victor and Rosa that I'm not some hopeless delinquent I needed to show them that I could be a kid that had a future and one that they could be proud of.
"So, will you," Freddie said his voice soft and genuine. I wasn't sure if that was true, but Mary had assured me if I put the work in my grades would improve. Truthfully though I thought I was just dumb.
The blanket was doing nothing to warm me up, so I curled the comforter tighter and pulled it over my head, burying my head into it. I'm uncomfortable with the constant shivering and the game of seesaw my stomach was playing, but luckily, I fell asleep within minutes after shutting my eyes.
***Shazam!***
When I woke up, I could feel the sweat dripping down my face, so I kicked off the comforter. My body didn't like the sudden movement creating vomit that crawled up my throat. I clamped my hand over my mouth I was not throwing up in bed.
I climbed down the ladder as urgently as I could not worried about how much noise I was making. I slipped on the last rung and fell to the floor with a thump. My body didn't hurt from the fall, but my stomach did, which caused the wave of nausea to get stronger, and I knew I wasn't going to reach the bathroom.
I quickly crawled my way over to the blue trashcan we kept by the desk hoping it wasn't too full, as I crawled over, I heard sheets moving which could only mean Freddie was awake.
Shit.
I kept my hand on my mouth as I made my way to the trashcan, eventually making it. I let go. I'm not sure what I had to throw up since I already threw up all the food from yesterday and this resulted in this episode to be much worse. My throat burned even worse, and the heat and sweat on my body seemed to intensify.
"Billy?" I heard Freddy whisper yell with concern.
"I'm fine!" I whisper yelled back before another wave of dry puke hit me.
Freddie grabbed his crutch and came over, "Yeah, I can see that." He said sarcastically.
Freddie patted me on the back a few times before he began heading towards the door, "Just hang in there, and I'll go get Rosa and Victor."
"No!" I yelled, shooting my hand out in desperation. I couldn't let anyone see me like this. This Weak and vulnerable.
"Dude, I promise whatever you think they're reaction will be I promise you're wrong," Freddie assured, turning back to me.
There was no reason to bother Victor and Rosa. It was just a stomachache, and I could handle it on my own I've done it before.
Back when I was nine, I lived with this family right around Christmas. They were one of the worst I've ever been with.
The father and mother were two different people when they were with their kids. They had a son, and a daughter both were little devils, but of course, the parents didn't see that, and when the parents paid attention to them you thought the parents were the sweetest people alive. It was a completely different story when they paid attention to me. When I entered the room, they treated me like trash. I was yelled at and even hit, now I was used to this kind of treatment most foster homes were like this, but when I got a stomach bug while living there, they kicked me out on Christmas no less.
So, for the next few days, I slept in a cardboard box throwing up a bit every few hours I was only able to survive because I stole some Tylenol and food from a local convenience store. I was caught about a week later and shipped off to another foster home. My point is I survived on the street all alone sick as a dog so I could survive this time without Victor or Rosa's help.
"Freddie, Please," I asked desperately.
"They'll help you," Freddie insisted. That I didn't doubt, but I've made too many mistakes already I could do this on my own.
"Please," I pleaded one more time before I threw up again. I heard Freddie deeply sigh and walk back into the room. I figured he was heading back to bed, but instead, I felt a warm and comforting hand on my shoulder.
"Ugh, gross," Freddie said as he peered over my shoulder looking into the trash can.
"Sorry," I mumbled after finishing this recent episode. I began using my sleeve to wipe the tears and snot that had come out as I puked.
"It's okay it's not your fault," Freddie insisted. This was a small comfort. Freddie examined the trash can and glanced at me with a slight frown on his face.
"Hang on. I'll be right back," Freddie said as he began to exit the room.
"Where are you going?" I asked with worry. I assumed he was getting Victor and Rosa.
"Relax, I'm not getting Rosa or Victor," Freddie assured. I nodded and tried to remain as still as possible as I waited for Freddie to come back. After puking twice in a matter of ten minutes, my stomach felt slightly better, and I felt as if I'd puked enough for a lifetime.
After a few minutes, Freddie came back carrying a few items. He had a box of tissues, a small bottle filled with a pink liquid most likely some type of medicine and two plastic cups one had water while the other was empty. Freddie set the things on the desk and handed me a spare tissue, "Here."
I gladly took the tissue and gave Freddie a slight smile, "Thanks."
Freddie smiled back at me and gave me a nod before turning his attention to the bottle. I wiped the tears and blew my nose before throwing the tissue away, "What's that?" I hoarsely asked.
"Tylenol. Rosa gives it to me all the time when I get sick," Freddie explained as he measured the medicine.
"Sorry," I muttered.
"Why are you apologizing?" Freddie asked, putting the bottle down and looking at me with worry.
I knew what I wanted to say, but I couldn't find the words, but I didn't need to.
"Billy, you don't need to apologize I'm just doing what any good brother would do," Freddie said with his traditional smirk.
"But, I'm sick you shouldn't have to deal with it," I muttered.
"That's what families are for we help each other through shit," Freddie explained. "So enough of you being sorry for me helping you because this is what we do." This is what families do.
I nodded and slightly smiled before Freddie handed me the small cup of medicine, "Drink up."
I chugged the small cup and set it down on the desk. Freddie then handed me the cup of water I chugged that down as well which helped with my sore throat. "Thanks," I said, giving the cup back to Freddie.
Yeah, no problem," Freddie said grimacing at my face, "Feeling any better?"
"I don't feel like I have to puke, so there's that," I said, smiling lightly.
"Good to hear," Freddie said.
The nausea was gone, but my stomach was still pissed, and a had an aching headache. But Freddie being here made me feel much better. "Thanks, man," I blurted out.
"Yeah, you'd do the same for me, that's why we're brothers," Freddie explained. At one time I would have left Freddie and let him figure it out on his own by I wasn't like that anymore, and I was trying to be better.
"Do you think you can make it back to your bed I'd help, but then we would need the other me," Freddie asked smirking.
"Yeah, I'll be fine. Just give me a second," I nodded.
I pulled myself up by using the side of the desk to give me extra leverage my stomach churned as I got to my feet, and I stumbled over, falling into Freddie's arms.
"Billy? You good?" Freddie asked with concern as he helped me stand back up.
I quickly nodded as I waited for vertigo to pass over.
Afterward, I made the slow trek back to bed. I was moving much slower than usual, and the ladder looked to be double in size but Freddie helping me made a huge difference. I've never had friends always relying on myself and only myself, so having Freddie here was a sweet new comfort.
Eventually, I made it to the ladder, but I was out of breath, and I didn't want to do the climb, so I rested my back against the rungs on the ladder and tried to catch my breath.
Freddie noticed my reaction and sensed that the climb might be too much, "C' mon, you can sleep in my bed."
I nodded and fell straight into the bed, landing hard on the pillow.
"You good man?" Freddie asked.
"Yeah," I nodded.
"Good, I'll be right back," Freddie said.
"Where are you going?" I said, sitting up slightly.
"I got to change the trash bag," Freddie said, pointing over to the trash can I just threw up in.
"You don't have to do that," I insisted.
"Dude, that's nasty. I'm not just going to leave it," Freddie argued.
I felt terrible Freddie shouldn't have to deal with something like this it was my fault the trash is all gross now anyway.
"Sorry," I grimaced.
"I didn't mean it like that, and you don't need to apologize it's not your fault," Freddie explained.
"Yes, it is," I replied.
"No, it isn't you're sick you couldn't help it," Freddie insisted.
"It doesn't matter you shouldn't have to clean up my mess," I explained.
"You would help me if I was sick. Right?" Freddie asked, sitting down on the bed with me.
"Of course," I replied.
"Exactly, and that's why you don't have to feel sorry when I help you, and I won't feel sorry when you help me," Freddie explained. "So, stop feeling bad we're brothers, and that's a two-way street. We help each other, and we don't feel bad for the other when we do."
I smiled at that. Brothers I liked that.
"Sorry for being sorry," I said lightly laughing.
"Stop," Freddie glared jokingly and earnestly at the same time.
"Okay, I will," I said, throwing my hands up in defense and slumping back down on the bed.
"Good, now you focus on getting better?" Freddie insisted.
"Yes, Mom," I lightly joked. Freddie gave me a grin before hurrying off to tie the trash bag off and replace it with a new one.
Freddie was gone for a few minutes, leaving me to myself, and I almost fell asleep as the comforting and warm feeling of the mattress and pillow almost lulled me to sleep.
I slowly opened my eyes to see Freddie carrying over the trash can that now had a new bag.
"What's that for?" I asked sleepily.
"Just in case you throw up," Freddie stated.
"Oh..." I slowly said.
Freddie then pulled the blanket up and over me, making me feel warm and secure. "Comfortable?"
I nodded and rested my head deeper into the pillow.
"Good, now let me just get in," Freddie replied. He climbed into the bed and made his way over next to me. I made sure to move over as much as I could to give Freddie some room. Once he situated himself, I noticed just how small our bunks actually were. Freddie was against me and the wall, and I could feel our shoulders touching, and if you know me, I'm not one for touching of any kind from anyone. But this was not just anyone; this was Freddie, my best friend, my brother.
Once Freddie was comfortable, he yawned then turned to me, "Feeling any better?"
"A little I don't think I'm going to puke again," I said, keeping my eyes trained on the ceiling.
"Good," Freddie said lightly joking, "We should probably try and get some sleep it's already..." Freddie said yawning and looking at the alarm clock next to the bed, "2 in the morning."
Sleep sounded great, so I laid back and let the warm cozy feeling take over and lull me to sleep.