This time, I was the first one to arrive at our classroom. It rained a lot yesterday, so I saw several puddles from my seat.

  I could have waited for Lusia by simply emptying my mind and looking ahead, but instead of doing that, I was painting in a notebook I brought to practice using paint... But the result wasn't the best.

  “Hmm…”

  I looked at the page I was using to paint with dissatisfaction. Since our project was over, I decided to paint more often to see if I could feel the same satisfaction I felt that day. But even though I've learned the basics through art classes, I can't visualize anything I actually enjoy doing.

  I tried making chairs, houses, shoes, and cups, but nothing satisfied me. The results weren't bad, but I didn't enjoy making any of them.

  “... Where is Lusia…?”

  Talking with her was a lot more comfortable and satisfying than failing with the same thing multiple times without results.

  Luckily, the sound of the door of the classroom interrupted my struggles, and my satisfaction increased a lot when Lusia approached.

  “Hello…”

  “...”

  Lusia waved her hand as she usually did to greet me, but didn't say a word. She simply walked over to her seat and moved a finger as if she were stirring something.

  I understood what she wanted and flipped my chair so I could face her. She smiled, probably because I understood that.

  “It’s good to see you…”

  “...”

  “...”

  “...”

  “...”

  “... There’s something wrong?”

  She’s not usually this quiet, so it’s very obvious that something’s wrong. All my questions were answered when she talked.

  “No…”

  I quickly understood what was happening when I heard her voice. It sounded very hoarse, and her face expressed great effort as she spoke those words.

  “Are you sick?”

  “...”

  She nodded to me, confirming my suspicions. She didn’t look particularly bad, so it was something only affecting her throat.

  “If I had to guess… You had some problem yesterday during the rain, right?”

  She nodded again. I wanted to ask her what had happened, but since she can barely speak, I tried to ask her only questions she could easily answer.

  “Have you already taken the medication?”

  “Yes…”

  “Please don’t talk…”

  She could get worse if she used her voice too much, so I preferred if she just stayed quiet and relaxed until she could go back home and rest.

  “Why did you come…?”

  “...”

  Lusia put her index finger on her lips, like she was thinking on her answer, and after a while, she pointed at me.

  “... I’m not more important than your health…”

  It’s true that I don’t like being without her, but it didn’t feel good that she came in that state just to make me happy… Well, I would do the same, so I guess I’m not the best to complain about this.

  “We can tell the teachers that you need to rest. They will understand...”

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  As I was about to get up and go tell a teacher, she grabbed my arm. I was confused, but she shook her head as if denying something.

  “... Are you sure?”

  “... Yes…”

  “... Okay, but please, don’t say a single word…”

  If this is what she wants, I can only accept and continue with our routine.

  “...”

  “...”

  What I wasn’t thinking, was how this actually affected our routine.

  “...”

  “...”

  The first recess had started, and we ate while looking at each other.

  This should be pretty obvious by now, but I'm not good at leading a conversation. My biggest contribution is sometimes starting one and keeping the conversation going, but that's about it.

  “...”

  “...”

  I'm used to long silences, but this one is very different from the usual ones. It was a lot more uncomfortable.

  Every time I look up to see Lusia's face, my mind goes blank as she tries to smile, probably knowing this situation is awkward for both of us.

  “... Are you eating well…?”

  “...?”

  Trying to continue this would be worse, so I tried to think what my father would say in this situation. If I can imitate him, then I should be able to manage this.

  “Hmm…”

  “You forgot to eat something yesterday?”

  We both don’t know about sign language, but interpreting the move of her hands was easy. She was doing her best to make her signs comprehensible, so this somehow felt like a normal conversation.

  “We should buy something for you? Maybe we can get some candies for your throat.”

  “...”

  “Right, the wait is excessive…”

  “...”

  “We could see places to hang out on my phone, you can point to the things you like.”

  “...!”

  “All right.”

  I'm grateful to my father for many things, but I didn't expect to be so grateful just for being able to talk to him every day. His way of speaking helped me a lot.

  “Cinema… Maybe they have movies you enjoy…”

  “...”

  “A movie for me? I’ve heard they have one about a bartender.”

  “...”

  “We could also see the ones with good sales.”

  Everything was going smoothly, and we probably could’ve continued like this during the rest of the day. But after Lusia took a bite from what she was eating, I saw her struggling even more than before.

  “... Guh!”

  “Are you okay?”

  “...”

  From her smile it was very obvious that she didn't want to worry me, so I continued to press her until she told the truth.

  “You feel pain when swallowing, don't you?”

  “...”

  “High or low?”

  “...”

  She hesitated a little, but knowing I wouldn't let her ignore it, she pointed her finger up.

  “The infirmary must have something, let’s ask.”

  “...”

  “I will go anyway, so please follow me.”

  It was very weird to be the one who gave orders, but if this avoids Lusia from hurting her throat even more, I can do this.

  “We can’t receive medication?”

  “Sorry, but schools are not allowed to give that kind of medication to a student.”

  “Why?”

  “A lot of reasons. I can give both some honey candies and mints, but that’s all.”

  That was bad news. If Lusia can’t take medication, she will struggle with that pain during the rest of the day.

  “Is it still hurting?”

  “...”

  My doubts were high. I remembered the day Lusia didn’t come during the first classes, and I felt… weird.

  "..."

  "...?"

  But... if this is what she needs, I don’t have any other option.

  “We need to call your aunt.”

  “... Please… don’t…”

  Our time together will only be depressing if we spend it with her suffering every second, so even when I don’t like the idea, she must rest.

  “I don’t like being alone… But I don’t like seeing you like that either...”

  “...”

  Lusia’s face showed confusion, like she was seeing something weird. The only thing in front of her was my face, but I know it’s not dirty.

  “... I will do it…”

  “Thanks…”

  After starting to call her aunt, Lusia handed me her phone. I was going to explain the situation so she doesn’t need to force her throat further.

  “...”

  “Hello?”

  “... Hello, I’m talking with Miss Elisa…?”

  “Huh, yeah. Are you Lucia’s friend?”

  “Yes.”

  “I see, something happened?”

  “Well… Her throat is getting worse.”

  “Hmm?”

  “She needs to rest.”

  “... Is she sick?!”

  “She didn’t tell you?”

  “No!”

  The call ended, and Lusia looked at me embarrassed.

  “Tomorrow we will do whatever you want to compensate for this.”

  “...”

  “You’re right, we always do that.”

  Suddenly, the sound that indicated the end of the recess started, so we went to our classroom.

  “...”

  “...”

  We both didn’t like the fact that her aunt will come to take her back home soon, so we decided to start a conversation via text message.

  “My throat is killing me :(.”

  “You will get better.”

  “I trust in your words :).”

  “How did your aunt not notice this?”

  “I’m good at hiding when something hurts.”

  “That is an inconvenient skill.”

  “Somehow it’s useful.”

  We continued talking even when the class had started, ignoring most of the things the teacher was trying to say. We stopped when another teacher entered the classroom and said something to our teacher.

  “Lucia, a family member is in the entrance, please go with your things.”

  “A-.”

  “Lusia heard it.”

  I think two of our classmates looked in our direction when I said that. It’s not like I never talked before, so I don’t know what is wrong.

  After taking everything she had, Lusia left the classroom.

  “Let’s keep talking once you’re back home...”

  “...”

  Lusia abandoned the classroom, and I stared at the window for a while until I saw her with her aunt. Based on her corporal language, Lusia was being scolded.

  “... Ha.”

  Coming here just because she didn’t want to leave me alone. The idea was weirder now that I was thinking more about it. But even when I’m still thinking that it was stupid that she didn’t prioritize her health… I feel like my heart is beating quicker.

  That way, the day continued, but I didn’t feel it long. Mostly because I was able to talk with Lusia via message. But also because my mind was distracted, thinking about that feeling.

  “Thanks for that! I was actually having a bad time yesterday.”

  And I didn't think about it again when I saw Lusia's smile the next day.