The exchange between her and Ashley was stuck in her mind as she found a seat in her first period. To top it off, she felt sick, and she wasn’t sure it was just nerves. Her throat had been sore for the past two days, and now her stomach felt like it was turning tight circles. Fantastic. She glanced around the room for the first time since she’d entered, and was shocked to see Ashley seated in the back of the room. It was obvious the way her eyes darted to the side when she looked back there that the girl had been watching her, and now Spencer felt more exposed than ever.

The teacher was moving students around, placing them in alphabetical order as she moved down the list. She was new, and this was the only way she would get to learn our names.

“Spencer Carlin, please move up here…” She gestured to a desk in the middle row and I nodded, feeling a bit dizzy as I stood up, but managing to make my way over.

“Ashley Davies, you can take a seat behind Spencer.” She spoke, eyeing the brunette who hadn’t yet stood to move.

“But Mrs. Duncan I-“ Ashley began to protest as Spencer visibly flinched.

“Am I going to have a problem with you two, is there something I should know about?” The teacher enquired, glancing between them suspiciously.

“…No.”  She responded finally, grudgingly rising to her feet and taking a seat behind the blonde.

If Spencer hadn’t felt nauseous before, she most certainly did now. She rubbed her face, feeling goose bumps rise on her skin. The teacher moved on, resuming her placement of the other students as Spencer slumped her head onto the desk. Ashley watched her with some concern, knowing it wasn’t just her that was making Spencer act so miserable. As much as she felt hurt by Spencer, she was still concerned for her well being.

“Excuse me, Ms. Carlin.” The teacher tried again, looking annoyed by the girl who was staring off into space. Finally Ashley reached forward, tapping the bare skin of her shoulder. She was shocked by how hot the skin felt, and her concern nearly doubled. Spencer jerked her head to look at her, the flushed skin around her cheeks contrasting the drain of color from her face. Her eyes looked a bit glazed over, the kind of look one has when they are really out of it. Ashley pointed up at the teacher and Spencer looked up at Mrs. Duncan, looking confused and distraught.