Chapter Text
‘Shit…’ Lake thought as she sat at a table in the cafeteria, looking down at her lunch with a bothersome expression on her face. She didn’t have an appetite, and on top of that her stomach was feeling really bad.
It’s been like that since morning.
When she woke up, her stomach felt a little uneasy. She thought it would go away when she ate, but it steadily got worse as the day went on. Now it felt like something was about to burst out of her stomach like from those Alien movies.
Groaning, Lake put her lunch box away and crossed her arms on the tabletop.
God, she wanted nothing more for the floor to swallow her whole. She felt so uncomfortable she didn't know how much longer she’ll last.
“Lake, you alright?” Her friend Caden sat down next to her, placing his lunch tray down.
“Yeah, my stomach just hurts a little.” She said, resting her chin on her folded arms and staring down at the table. A sharp pain erupted in her abdomen, making her involuntarily whimper in pain.
Caden raised an eyebrow. “A little?”
“Fuck off.” She snapped, burying her head in her arms and quietly groaned.
“I will if you don't bullshit me.” Caden sassed back, receiving a glare from the girl that would have burnt him to ashes if looks could kill.
Seeing that her best friend won’t back down, Lake groaned again. “… I think I’m sick. I can’t eat and my stomach hurts. Happy?” She deadpanned.
“Hmm.” Caden placed his hand against her forehead, keeping it there for a few moments. “You are a little warm. Think you need to go home?”
“No. I’m fine.” The boy's signature deadpan, disbelieving look crossed his face. Lake scoffed. “Look, I’m not gonna puke or pass out okay. I feel fine. I can get through the day. Besides, I might feel better by the time I get home.”
“If you're sure. Just make sure to drink water, ‘Kay?”
“Okay. Mom.”
Lake laughed as she got a hit to the back of her head.
Lake did not feel better.
At all.
Although her stomach felt a little bit better after lunch she had with some water, it got so much worse when she got home, which was about 3 hours ago.
Lake was sitting at the kitchen table, her arms wrapped around her abdomen as Hank and Connor got dinner ready. The two knew that she wasn’t feeling well, so they were just making her a grilled cheese with some fries.
Sumo was sitting next to her on the floor with his head on her lap.
It felt like her stomach was filled with acid, sharp pains were shooting through her abdomen and Lake was sure she was gonna be sick. But nothing was coming up, and that was worse.
A plate was suddenly placed in front of her, cutting off Lake's train of thought. It was her grilled cheese and fries, with some ketchup on the side. Lake looked up and saw Hank staring at her face with a worried expression.
“Lake, are you feeling okay? You look pale.” The lieutenant said, kneeling down and placing a hand on Lake’s forehead. She found herself leaning into the warm limb, accidentally letting out a small whimper. “You feel a bit warm…”
“Think I caught something…” She muttered and she definitely felt pale, among other things.
Connor walked up and placed his hand on her forehead when Hank retracted his, he stared off for a moment before refocusing. “You have a fever of 100, and it’s climbing slowly. Maybe you should take some medicine.”
“Ugh.” Lake grimiaced. She hated medicine, or more specifically the kind that tasted like nasty grapes. It always made her gag. Lake was about to say something when suddenly a sharp spike of white hot pain basically stabbed her in the stomach. She broke into a cold sweat and felt very nauseous. Lake shot up and raced to the bathroom, making a b-line for the toilet and puked into the bowl. It was mostly stomach acid and her breakfast, which was just a granola bar, since she didn’t eat lunch.
Lake coughed, dry heaving into the bowl when calluses hands held her hair back and another pair patted her on the back. When she was done, Lake pulled back from the toilet and sighed, leaning into the lieutenant as Connor flushed the toilet and returned to her side.
“Fuck…” She breathed heavily, wiping sweat off her face as Hank held her.
“Okay, medicine and then bed.” Hank got up and walked into the kitchen to get Lake some medicine.
Conor gently helped her to her feet, keeping her upright as he walked her into her bedroom and tucked her in. Lake groaned quietly, holding her stomach painfully when Hank walked in with a glass of water, a medicine bottle and some painkillers.
Begrudgingly, Lake swallowed the pills and took the medicine with a grimace. After she took a large sip of her water, Hank pulled her blankets up to her shoulder and gently kissed her forehead.
“Rest easy, honey. Hopefully you’ll feel better tomorrow.” He soothed the girl.
“Mmm… see you tomorrow Hank, Connor.” Lake sighed as she was pulled under the heavy blanket of unconsciousness.