Lux awoke before her alarm and groaned. She felt awful. She realized she was going to be sick and scrambled down to the bathroom. She made it just in time.

She washed her face and brushed her teeth, feeling gross. "You're up early," Cate said, coming in to put make-up on before work.

"Couldn't sleep," Lux replied.

"Why?" Cate frowned. "What's wrong?"

Lux shrugged. "Nothing. Just couldn't sleep."

"What do you want for breakfast?" Cate asked, as they walked toward the kitchen together.

Lux crinkled her nose. Food sounded awful. "I'm not really hungry."

"We're late," Ryan said, emerging from the bedroom.

Cate glanced at Lux, concerned, but grabbed her bag and followed Ryan toward the door.

"Hey." Baze grinned when Lux jumped into his car for a ride to school. He handed her a coffee.

Lux took it and sipped out of habit. Immediately she regretted it. She felt like she was going to be sick. "Pull over!"

Baze gave Lux a weird look, but did as she asked. Lux immediately opened the car door and threw up.

"Sorry," she mumbled awkwardly. "You're probably thoroughly grossed out now."

"It takes a lot more than that to gross me out," Baze teased. "Are you OK?"

"Yeah, my stomach's just upset. Probably something I ate," Lux explained.

"Why are you going to school?" Baze asked.

Lux shrugged.

"Cate's been a bad influence on you. You're turning into a bookworm before my eyes," Baze teased.

"You obviously haven't see my grades," Lux shot back. "If you did, you'd know which parent I take after."

Baze laughed.

"See you later," Lux said, grabbing her bag.

"Hey," Baze stopped her. "Call me if you want to come home early."

Lux nodded and smiled.

Lux didn't know why, but she felt exhausted. She had trouble keeping her eyes open in class. Jones nudged her when the teacher called on her and she looked up sleepily. He whispered the answer to the question she hadn't heard, "Napoleon."

"Thanks," Lux said quietly.

"Are you OK? You don't look good," Jones said, as the bell rang and they headed for the hallway.

Lux raised her eyebrows. "Oh, just what every girl wants to hear."

"I mean, you look like you don't feel good," Jones amended quickly, laughing. "You always look good."

"I, uh-" Lux felt lightheaded all of a sudden. Jones caught her as she fell backward.

Lux could hear muffled voices, but everything was black. "Let's take her to the nurse's office."

"No!" She cried out, not knowing whose voice it was, but knowing she did not want to go to the nurse's office. She tried to sit up, but couldn't.

It felt like forever before she was able to see Jones and a few other football players. Jones was on the floor next to her. He'd carefully slid her down, so she wouldn't hit the floor hard when she passed out. "I'm fine," she lied. "I don't need to go to the nurse's office."

Jones looked at her strangely. "People who are fine don't usually pass out."

Lux tried to sit up, but instantly knew she couldn't. She was too weak. If she tried to get up right away, she would black out again. "I'm fine," she insisted. "I just need some water." She eyed Jones' water bottle thirstily.

He handed it to her and watched her drink. It seemed to help. She was able to rise after a few minutes. She still looked pale though. "If you don't want to go to the nurse's office, maybe I should call Baze," Jones said uncertainly.

"No! I'm just dehydrated. I haven't been drinking enough water. I feel much better now," she assured him.

Jones hesitated. "OK."

Lux texted Baze Getting a ride from Jones. C u later. She knew she couldn't make it through the rest of the day, but didn't want Baze to know she was leaving early.

She rifled through the kitchen cabinets, looking for something that sounded good to her. She knew she should eat, but the thought of food made her stomach churn. She finally settled on the classic for sick people, chicken noodle soup. She was surprised she was able to keep it down.

After she ate, Lux made her way up to the attic and fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. She was exhausted.

"Lux?" Cate called, as she entered the front door with takeout food.

No answer.

Cate headed into the kitchen and set the food out, assuming Lux would come down from the attic when she heard Cate. After a few minutes, Cate climbed the attic stairs.

She found Lux sound asleep and smiled. She stroked Lux's hair and moved the blanket to cover her fully before returning to the kitchen.

Cate was surprised Lux didn't wake up from her nap, but remembered Lux getting up early and decided she must just be tired.