FINDING THE MISSING AMETHSYT

Chapter 4

Umm... I came to ask Ellie to help my sister copy some notes, Ana. She isn't feeling too good, he said, his voice steady but his eyes still dangerously sharp as they darted toward Anita. A wave of relief washed over me at his answer, the worry dissipating momentarily. "Oh, is she okay?" Mrs. Steph asked, genuine concern etched across her features.

"She just needs some rest," he replied, throwing yet another glare in Anita's direction as if to punctuate his point. It was clear he wanted the conversation to end, a subtle hint that the tension was too much for him. "It was nice seeing you, but I've got to go," he added curtly before turning on his heel and leaving the classroom.

"Okay, class, let's start today," Mrs. Steph announced, her voice breaking the spell of awkwardness left in Aaron's wake. "We are going to be talking about homeostasis." As she turned to the whiteboard, I could feel the weight of the moment lingering, the room's atmosphere shifting back to a semblance of normalcy but with an undeniable undercurrent of unresolved tension.

**40 minutes later**

At last, the shrill sound of the bell pierced through the air, signaling the end of class, and an overwhelming wave of relief washed over me. I quickly gathered my belongings, shoving notebooks and pens into my backpack with a sense of urgency. My mind was laser-focused on Ana and her well-being. As I darted through the bustling hallways, where students mingled, chatting and laughing, I felt a knot of worry twist in my stomach but also a surge of determination to get to her.

I pushed open the door to the school clinic, the faint, sterile scent of antiseptics and rubbing alcohol filling my nostrils. My eyes scanned the room, searching for Ana. In the far corner, I spotted Aaron, his expression a blend of concern and surprise as he looked up from his seat. I barely had a moment to acknowledge him before my attention shifted to the other side of the clinic.

There lay Ana on the examination bed, her typically vibrant face now pale and still, though she seemed calm. I noted the nurse hovering nearby, checking her temperature with a small digital thermometer while a cold compress rested gently on Ana's forehead. My heart raced as I approached, fueled by a desperate need to confirm that she was okay.

"Hey baby, are you alright?" I asked, my voice trembling slightly with concern as I gently wrapped my arms around her, pulling her closer to me for comfort. She leaned into my embrace, a faint smile breaking through her weakness as she replied softly, "Yeah, I'm fine."

Beside us, Aaron's face showed tight worry lines, his brow furrowed. "The nurse said she had an asthmatic attack," he explained, glancing nervously at Ana, his frown deepening.

I turned to Ana, feeling a wave of panic crash over me at the implication. "Asthma? Since when did she have it?" I pressed, my concern growing with every word.

Aaron sighed heavily, raking a frustrated hand through his hair. "She's always had it," he said slowly, his tone heavy with concern, "but it faded for a while. Now, it's back."

Worry etched deeply on both their faces mirrored my own rising anxiety. How on earth could I help her through this?

"Oh my god, Ana, I'm so sorry to hear that," I said, my heart aching for her plight. The worry etched on her delicate features was impossible to ignore. "I promise I'll help you get through this, okay?" I added, trying to convey the sincerity of my commitment. She nodded slowly, her eyes shimmering with unshed tears, and I wrapped my arms around her in a protective embrace, hoping to bring her some comfort.

Just then, the sharp ring of the bell echoed ominously through the hallway, announcing the start of another class. Despite her distress, Ana insisted she wanted to attend AP English. I understood the importance of that class for her, especially since it was a subject we both cherished and thrived in together.

We quickly gathered her belongings, checking to ensure she had her books, notebook, and everything else she might need. I couldn't bear the thought of her facing the classroom alone, so I offered to walk by her side. As we made our way to the classroom, the anxious energy in the air was palpable, but I focused on providing her with the support she needed.

Upon arriving at the classroom, we settled into our seats just as the teacher entered with a warm, welcoming smile. She greeted her students, her voice cheerful and lively, ensuring everyone felt included as she acknowledged their presence. With a confident tone, she introduced the day's topic, drawing on her extensive knowledge to engage the class. She shared relatable examples and personal anecdotes that sparked lively participation and discussion among the students.

Finally, the class drew to a close, signaling the end of the week's lessons. I stood up quickly, helping guide Ana to her locker; we were eager to get home. Aaron was caught up with something else, so Mike and I would take care of dropping her off.

As we walked through the hallways, I couldn't shake the lingering worry for Ana, but I knew that together, we could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

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