#jamescampbell

[persimmonsimmer]

Justin had been fast asleep when James and Joanna got home, so it wasn't until the next morning that James filled him in.

* * * * *

Don't worry, it was pretty lame. Mariam didn't even come--Farah said she was sick, but Iris thinks she might be avoiding her, said something about her acting weird around her and Jo lately, but whatever--and the new girl didn't show, either. Not that I wanted her to. She seems stuck up.

So anyway, it was just me and Jo, Iris, Farah, and Idara. Which as you might imagine, was kind of awkward. Especially with Iris and Jo off in their own world the whole time.

Oh! This is kind of funny, though--Dara and I pretty much got back together.

I know! Crazy, right? But so, what happened was, we started talking, and it was just nice, you know? I know she was still pissed with me, but she wasn't really showing it, just being normal. That's the thing about Dara. She's really chill most of the time, just easy to talk to and be around.

So . . . I started thinking.

I don't know if you've noticed, but Farah's been getting to me. Like, she's fun, but too much, you know?

So I just decided, right there, to hell with it. I told Farah I wanted to talk to her alone for a minute.

She didn't take it too well. Practically bit Iris' head off after Iris saw something was wrong and tried to talk to her, and then she just left.

Anyway, then I told Dara I wanted to talk. She didn't want to hear me out at first, but I said I was sorry about a hundred times, said how she was the one for me, how I never would have gone out with Farah if she hadn't yelled at me in front of everyone--and it was Farah who came onto me in the first place, you remember--and yeah, eventually she seemed to get over it and we made up.

So we're back together.

I hope Farah doesn't feel too bad about it, but I can't control that, right?

Anyway, I feel good about it. Dara's great. Maybe we'll even get married someday. I bet she'd be good at all that domestic stuff . . .

* * * * *

"Hey, you OK? You look kind of sweaty and pale. Are you feeling worse?"

"No," Justin said weakly. "I'm fine. That's . . . that's great. I'm happy for you."

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But more time passed without a peep from Justin, and finally they had no choice but to check on him. If he didn't get up and get ready soon, they'd miss half the party.

Justin slowly rolled over to face them.

"I don't think I can go," he said. "I really wish I could, but . . ."

"Dude." James let out a low whistle. "So you're like, actually sick? That sucks. But, uh, you wouldn't want us to stay or anything, would you . . . ?"

Justin sighed and rolled back over. "No. You guys should go. I don't want to ruin the whole night."

"Uh, OK then. If that's what you want," Joanna said, trying not to sound too relieved.

"Promise not to have too much fun without you," James said.

Justin didn't respond.

A while later--Justin had lost track--there was a knock at the door, and then Anna let herself in.

"I heard James and Joanna go out," she said. "I thought you'd be with them."

"Next time, I guess." Justin smiled unconvincingly.

"I've asked Meda to come by tomorrow."

"Mom. I'm fine. I don't need Ms. Coulson . . . "

"I'm sure you are. I just want her to have a look at you." Anna's smile was as unconvincing as his.

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Overwhelmed and wanting to be alone for a while, Justin retreated to the room he shared with James and Trevor.

He'd only just closed his eyes when a commotion outside his door jerked him back to the present.

"Oh my Watcher, Justinnn," Iris whined, bursting into the room with Idara close behind. "We just heard. You poor thing. This sucks so much. Doesn't it suck, Dara?"

"Mom sent us over with some of her fatigue tonic," Idara said. "So hopefully you'll feel a little better soon? . . . It does suck, though. Is there, uh, anything we can do?"

The concern from his mom and siblings was bad enough. This was just mortifying. Poor thing. He hated the way they were looking at him. Idara especially.

Suddenly Idara pulled him into a hug and Justin was powerless to pull away. The feeling of her arms around him was more comforting than any of the pitying words he'd been offered so far, and she smelled nice, and if he could just forget for a moment that she was only hugging him because he was sick, damaged, it would have been perfect.

"Hey! Are these guys bothering you?" James' voice broke in.

Idara drew back and the moment was lost.

"Visiting hours are over," James said, taking Idara by the hand and pulling her farther away. "I told you guys, he needs to rest. Here, I'll walk you out."

He threw Justin a wry look on the way out, like Can you believe people?

Like he was doing Justin a favor.

[persimmonsimmer]

Dating Farah had its upsides--like the fact that she was almost always down to make out, no matter the time or place.

Still, James sometimes wondered if dumping Idara had been the right call.

The thing was, Farah was . . . a little too into him. Sometimes it freaked him out how well she was able to predict his routines, to just happen to be passing by his house just as he was getting ready to leave for school or go for a jog. It was starting to weird him out.

James: "So. See you in class in a few," he said, pulling away.

Farah: "You're not going to walk me to school?"

James: "Nah. I always go with Justin and Jo. And, uh, I need to grab a book from inside."

Farah: ". . . Oh. OK. See you there, then."

James: "Ahh! What was that for?"

Joanna: "For being an exhibitionist weirdo and a total dork, obviously. Right in our yard? I might not get my appetite back for days."

Justin: "Guys, come on. We're gonna be late for school."

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The winter days passed one by one, and things settled into a certain kind of equilibrium--school for the teens, work for Trevor, and writing for Anna.

No one had anything much to complain about, aside perhaps from Justin, who seemed to have picked up a bug from school. Whatever it was, it was making his stomach extremely sensitive; even the sight of a dirty plate was enough to prompt gagging.

He was sleeping more than usual, too, even falling asleep on the couch more than once.

Anna: "You'd be more comfortable in bed, don't you think?"

Justin: "Wha--? Oh." He stretched, rubbed his heavy eyes. "No, it's still too early. I have homework . . ."

Anna: "Are you feeling any better?"

Justin: "Yeah, probably. I mean, tired. I'll probably feel better in the morning."

Anna gnawed on her lip.

Anna: "Yes, I'm sure you will. Well, I'm going to bed. Goodnight."

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Joanna: "This totally sucks."

Justin: "Yeah. I know."

James: "Hey, listen. We'll find a cure. There's gotta be one."

Justin: "Maybe. I don't know."

Joanna: "It'll be OK. Here, c'mere."

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Joanna, ever fond of bossing her brothers around, took Justin's illness as license to double down. He must lie down; he must put on his warmest hoodie before stepping foot outside; he must have a big bowl of the nine-vegetable winter soup she'd labored over all afternoon.

Justin: "I don't know, Jo. It looks great, I just--"

Joanna: "Uh-uh, stop right there. You're having a bowl. It's hearty and healthy. You'll probably be healed on the spot."

James: "Dude, you'd better eat the soup. It's not like you have a choice."

Justin: "I'm sorry. I just-- I need to lie down again."

He retreated before either of his siblings could shout any more commands his way.

The soup was totally delicious, Justin's loss. He was such a baby, acting all incapacitated over some stupid stomach bug. Joanna and James agreed to just ignore him; once he realized nobody was falling for the woe-is-me act he'd get over himself.

But as an hour passed, and then two, they started to get a little worried. He had to be starving by now, right?

Joanna: "Hey, you're not about to go check on him, right? That's what he wants."

James: "I know that. And I wasn't going to."

Joanna: "I mean, there's no way he's letting himself miss the party tonight. He's been looking forward to it all week."

James: "Right. There's no way."

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School was the same as ever. Ms. Chen kept giving them tests and assigning memorization and then giving them even more tests. The only thing that kept it from really sucking was getting to hang out with Idara and Iris and the others. Though things had been pretty awkward between Idara and James lately.

It was Justin's idea to suggest that they throw a party at the end of the week--a party to celebrate midwinter and maybe, mayyyybe find a way to get Idara on her own for just a few minutes, long enough to talk . . .

Justin: "--so do you think you'll come?"

Idara: "Ugh, I don't know. I am so not interested in seeing James and Farah practically swallowing each other's tongues. Not that I even care what those two get up to anymore."

Justin: "I'll tell him not to be obnoxious or I'll noogie him in front of everyone. He hates when anyone messes up his hair. C'mon, you have to come. It'll be so lame without you."

Idara laughed.

Idara: "You're too sweet. I'll probably stop by, as long as Iris comes, too. But I'll hold you to that promise. Actually, a preemptive noogie might not be a bad idea . . ."