Dorky Zuko

Noelle:

Are you actually ill?

This very conspicuous absence of yours really isn’t part of an ongoing attempt to prank me?

A few moments later, as she was settling down into her seat in her second period classroom, Noelle’s phone buzzed silently with multiple responses.

Akarsha:

Why good morning, Frenchman

Contrary to popular belief, not /everything/ is about you. Sometimes a girl really is just sick.

Noelle blinked, reevaluating.

Noelle:

Oh. Are you well?

Akarsha:

Worried about little old me? I’m fine, it’s just a cold.

Don’t trouble your pretty little head, my life will be back to being all about you in just a day or two. Promise.

Noelle knew Akarsha was only referring to her own daily habit of mercilessly pranking Noelle, but somehow her fragile and traitorous heart still swelled to see Akarsha write such a thing. She frowned down at her phone and shook her head, to drive out such inane thoughts and impulses.

Noelle:

Your life being “about me” is actually what troubles my average-sized and typically-attractive head. In fact, due to your absence, this morning was the first in living memory that I was able to focus without fear of your chaotic and disruptive behavior.

This was patently untrue, of course. In reality, she had been more distracted than ever, first wondering when Akarsha’s prank would inevitably materialize, then later worrying fretfully about why it hadn’t. She obviously couldn’t admit any of that to Akarsha though.

Akarsha took a few extra seconds to respond, all the while Noelle stared down impatiently at her phone screen. Then:

Akarsha:

Nah, you missed me.

Noelle flushed, her fingers instantly flying across her phone’s tiny keyboard.

Noelle:

I did not.

Akarsha:

Yes you did. I can tell. 

Noelle:

You’re clearly feverish. 

Illness has addled your wits.

PPKM Week Day #4: Illness/Injury

PPKM Week: Day 2

First kiss in the GameCube aisle at GameStop.

The night sky was as wide as the world, and full to bursting with stars.

yea verily, ppkm week 2023 be upon us.