Chapter 2

Ten minutes later, the classroom door creaked open.

Jake, the school's star quarterback, sauntered in. He wasn't even trying to be quiet.

"Sorry I'm late, Ms. D," he said, a casual grin on his face. "Practice ran over."

Ms. Davison's entire demeanor changed. Her face softened, a smile appearing.

"Jake! Don't you worry about a thing. How's that shoulder? I heard you took a hit yesterday."

Jake shrugged, rubbing his shoulder with a wince that looked a little too practiced.

"Just a little twinge, Ms. D. Coach wants me to get it checked by the trainer before the big game Friday."

"Oh, absolutely!" Ms. Davison hurried to her desk, grabbing a hall pass. "You go right ahead. We can't have our star player out of commission. Need you at your best for Friday night!"

She scribbled on the pass, handed it to him with a warm smile. "Let me know if there's anything you need. Speedy recovery!"

"Thanks, Ms. D. You're the best," Jake said, already turning to leave.

Ashley watched, a knot of disbelief and anger tightening in her chest.

A "twinge" got him instant, fawning attention. Her severe pain got her accused of faking.

The injustice burned hotter than her fever.

Her own pain was getting worse, a constant, nauseating ache. She felt dizzy.

Ms. Davison, noticing Ashley still looking pale, walked over.

She rummaged in her messy desk drawer and pulled out a small, unlabeled bottle.

"Here," she said, shaking a couple of chalky white pills into her palm. "Probably ibuprofen. It might be a little old, but it should help if you're truly uncomfortable."

Ashley stared at the pills. Expired, from a dirty drawer.

"I... I don't think that's a good idea," Ashley managed.

"Suit yourself," Ms. Davison said, shrugging dismissively. "But stop looking like you're about to expire. Some people are trying to learn."

Ashley fumbled for her phone in her backpack, her fingers clumsy. She needed to text her mom.

She typed a shaky message: "Mom, sick. History. Teacher won't let me go nurse. Pain bad."

She hit send, hoping it made sense.