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In the quiet of the room, Angelica lies in her bed, her body covered in itchy red spots. She feels miserable, her usually bright eyes now dull and tired. The room is filled with the scent of lavender, a scent her mom Charlotte believes will help soothe her.
Angelica’s scratchy voice breaks the silence. "This is the worst day ever," she mutters to herself, her arms crossed over her chest.
Suddenly, there’s a knock at the door, and Susie’s mom Lucy peeks in. "Hey, Angelica," she says softly, "I brought someone to keep you company."
Behind her, Susie shuffles in, also covered in chicken pox. She looks just as uncomfortable as Angelica, her usually confident demeanor replaced with a shy, uncertain look.
Angelica’s eyes widen in surprise. "Susie? What are you doing here?" she asks in a scratchy and weak voice.
Susie fidgets, not sure what to say. "My mom thought it would be good for me to see you since we both have chicken pox," she explains, her voice equally scratchy.
There’s a moment of awkward silence. Angelica and Susie have always been frenemies, bickering one moment and playing together the next. But right now, they both look so helpless and uncomfortable that the tension seems to melt away.
Angelica sighs and pats the space next to her on the bed. "Well, come on, then. You might as well join me. It’s not like we can do much else."
Susie hesitates for a moment, then climbs onto the bed, settling next to Angelica. They don’t say much, but the shared discomfort seems to bring them closer. They both lean back against the pillows, staring up at the ceiling. A few minutes later, Drew, Angelica’s dad, knocks softly before entering the room. He carries a thermometer and a concerned look on his face.
"How are you two feeling?" he asks gently.
Angelica and Susie both shrug, their movements slow and careful. Drew checks their temperatures, starting with Susie. Her temperature is high, but not alarmingly so. When he checks Angelica’s, his brow furrows.
"Angelica, your temperature is really high. We need to get you some medicine and make sure you stay hydrated."
Angelica nods, her eyes closing as the fever seems to sap the last of her energy. Susie, feeling a bit guilty, reaches out and takes Angelica’s hand.
"I’m here, Angelica. We’ll get through this together."
Angelica gives a weak smile, her scratchy voice barely above a whisper. "Thanks, Susie. I guess we’re in this together."
Drew smiles at the two of them, a mix of concern and warmth in his eyes. "You two are doing great. Just rest, and we’ll take care of everything."
As Drew leaves the room to get the medicine, Angelica and Susie lie there, their hands still clasped together. Despite the discomfort and the high temperatures, they find a small sense of comfort in each other’s presence. For now, they’re just two little girls fighting the same battle, and that’s enough. In the dimly lit room, the air is thick with the scent of lavender and the quiet hum of the night. Angelica lies in her bed, her body covered in red, itchy spots. Her fever has intensified, and she feels as though her body is on fire from the inside out. Susie, still by her side, is also struggling with the discomfort of the chicken pox.
As Angelica’s fever spikes, her vision begins to blur, and the room around her starts to warp. The lavender scent turns into something acrid and burning, and the quiet hum of the night turns into a low, ominous crackle. She feels her temperature rising, and the heat becomes almost unbearable. Suddenly, the bed sheets beneath her start to glow with a faint, orange light. Angelica’s eyes widen in horror as the light intensifies, and the sheets begin to smolder. Smoke curls around her, and the heat becomes so intense that it feels like the bed is on fire.
"Susie!" Angelica tries to cry out, but her voice is a hoarse whisper.
She reaches out, trying to find her friend, but the flames are everywhere, licking at her skin. The bed beneath her gives way, and she falls through, plummeting into a world of fire and pain. The flames surround her, burning her skin, searing her flesh. She tries to scream, but the heat steals her breath. Everywhere she turns, the flames are there, relentless and consuming. She feels the fire biting into her, leaving her skin raw and blistered. She can’t escape, no matter how hard she tries.
Just when she thinks she can’t take it anymore, Angelica feels a sudden jolt. She gasps, her eyes snapping open. She’s back in her bed, the room still dimly lit, the lavender scent soothing and familiar. Susie is still next to her, her face flushed but peaceful in sleep. Angelica takes deep, shuddering breaths, trying to calm her racing heart. It was just a nightmare, a terrible, terrifying nightmare. She feels the sweat on her brow and the lingering heat of the fever, but the flames are gone. She looks over at Susie, who stirs but doesn’t wake. Tears well up in Angelica’s eyes, a mix of relief and residual fear. She reaches out and gently touches Susie’s hand, needing the comfort of a familiar touch. Susie’s hand is warm and reassuring, and Angelica feels a sense of calm wash over her.
"It was just a dream," she whispers to herself, her voice still scratchy. "It was just a dream."
She closes her eyes, trying to push the images of the burning bed and the relentless flames from her mind. With Susie by her side, she drifts back into a more peaceful sleep, the nightmare fading into the background of her fevered dreams.