Amanda walked out of her building from her English class with Nikki at her side. The two of them headed to the cafeteria and met up with Rachel and Kristin.

"Hey guys!" Kristin said with a smile. "How was your weekend?"

"Mine was great!" Nikki said with a grin.

Amanda smiled. "That's only because Howie asked you out."

Rachel grinned. "Howie asked you out?" Nikki nodded with excitement. "That's great! I knew you two would hook up soon. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks," Nikki replied. "So how was your weekend Kris? I heard Nick hurt himself."

Kristin rolled her eyes and grinned. "Yeah, and he's being a big baby about it too. He whines constantly. That boy can't handle pain very well," she said with a laugh.

"Most guys can't," Rachel said.

"Yeah and most of them try to act all macho about it, but you can tell their screaming on the inside," Nikki stated.

The girls chatted for a bit longer, as Amanda sat there quietly listening. Nikki was the first to notice that she had not said a word within the past ten minutes. She looked over at her in concern.

"Amanda you okay? You're being really quiet today."

"Yeah, I'm fine, just tired," she lied.

"Are you sure? You're looking a little pale," Kristin added.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I was a little sick over the weekend. I guess I'm still getting over it. But really I'm fine."

Kristin wrinkled her brow then looked at her watch. "Well, girls I need to head on to my next class. I'll talk to you all later."

"I need to get going too," Rachel said. "Bye Nikki. Feel better Amanda."

The girls waved good-bye, leaving Nikki and Amanda alone at the table. Amanda sighed and cupped her hands over her cheeks, then closed her eyes.

"I can tell when you're lying you know," Nikki said.

Amanda opened her eyes and looked over at Nikki. "What?"

"You said you were fine, but I can tell you feel like shit. Why don't you just go home and get some rest?"

Amanda groaned and rubbed her temples. "I can't. I've got to make it through the next class. You know how that class is. Missing a day is like missing a week. I can't afford to miss all those notes."

"Amanda we're in the same class. I can give you my notes and fill you in on all the homework. You'll feel better if you get some rest."

Amanda shook her head. "I'm fine. Really, I am. Come on let's get to class before we're late," she said as she stood up and grabbed her backpack. As soon as she stood up she began to feel dizzy. "Whoa," she said then sat back down.

"What's wrong?" Nikki asked, concerned.

"Nothing, I just got up too fast that's all."

"Are you- -"

"Nikki, I'm fine. You have nothing to worry about. Come on we have five minutes to get to class."

Through out the whole class Amanda was fighting back her nausea. Determined to make it through the whole class, she forced herself to focus. When class was over, she and Nikki walked out to their cars.

"So do you want to go shopping with me this afternoon? I need some new shoes."

Amanda shook her head. "I'm not really in the mood," she said softly.

"You all right? You don't look so good."

"To be honest I feel like complete crap. I'm trying everything in my power to not throw up. I think I'm gonna go home and lie down for a little while."

"Sounds like a good idea. We'll go shopping some other time. Go get some rest. I'll call you later."

"Okay," Amanda said as she got in her car.

"Bye!" Nikki waved.

Amanda smiled and drove off to her apartment. When she opened the door, she found AJ sitting on the couch watching TV. "Hey," she said as she put her backpack down.

"Hey," he said as he shut off the TV. Feeling any better?" he asked.

Amanda shook her head and sat down next to him "I feel terrible."

AJ nodded in sympathy. "I told you, you should have stayed home today."

Amanda sighed and laid her head on his shoulder. "I know, but I really hate missing class. You know that."

"I know, but when you're sick, you're sick. Maybe you should go to the doctor. It might be some type of flu."

"No, I don't want to go to the doctor. I hate doctors."

"Well, do you promise to stay in bed and rest if I don't take you to the doctor?" Amanda nodded. "Okay, then I won't take you to the doctor. Well, I'm going to get some stuff at the store. Do you want me to get you anything? Some soup or something?"

"Get me some Sprite. That might help my stomach."

"Okay, I'll be back in a little bit. You stay here and rest."

"Okay," Amanda said then laid down on the couch. AJ had left the apartment and Amanda couldn't get herself to fall asleep. Feeling restless she went to her room, gathered up her pillow and a blanket, then went back into the living room. She laid down on the couch, and watched some TV. She was in the middle of watching a movie on HBO when she felt her stomach growl. After much thought she got up and fixed herself a few pieces of toast, then grabbed a water bottle from the fridge. She made her way back to the couch and continued watching her movie and ate her toast. After a couple of hours, AJ finally came back, with both arms full of groceries. Amanda smiled from her position on the couch. "Hey."

AJ put the groceries away and walked over to her with a teddy bear. "This is for you."

"Thank you."

"I figured it would make you feel better."

"It does thanks," she said with a smile.

"You're welcome," he said then kissed on the cheek. He could feel the heat from off her face. He placed his hand on her forehead. "Amanda you've got a fever. Are you sure you don't want me to take you to the doctor?"

"AJ I told you I'm fine. I just need to sleep it off."

"Are you sure?" AJ asked in concern.

"Positive. Now did you bring me anything for dinner? I'm hungry."

"I got you some chicken broth. I figured you'd want something light on your stomach. Do you want it now or later?"

"Now, I'm starving."

"Okay, you stay put I'll fix it up for you." Amanda waited, and soon AJ came back with a bowl of chicken broth. "Here you go," he said, then sat down next to her. "Finally, some food!" Amanda said as she picked up her spoon and began to eat it. She ate half the bowl, then set her spoon back. "Okay I don't want any more," she said with a look of disgust.

AJ took the bowl, set in the kitchen, then came back. "You need anything else?"

Amanda shook her head. "I think I'm gonna go back to bed. I'm not feeling too hot," she said as she picked up her pillow and blanket.

"Are you going into your room?"

Amanda nodded. "My room's more quiet."

"Okay, sleep well baby."

Amanda weakly smiled then headed back to her room. Feeling the nausea build up inside of her, she slowly crawled into bed and laid down on her stomach. After a few hours, she opened her eyes to the sound of her bedroom door creaking. A small ray of light spidered across her room. Amanda looked over at the door to find AJ standing there. "AJ what are you doing?"

He shut the door and walked over to her bed. "You've been asleep for over four hours. I thought I'd come in and check on you."

"Oh," Amanda said softly and laid her head back on her pillow. She felt AJ get off the bed and walk back toward the door. "AJ?"

"Yes?" he answered, turning back around.

"Could you stay? Hold me for a while?"

"Sure," he said as he walked back to her bed.

Amanda scooted closer to him and settled herself in his arms. AJ kissed her on the top of her head, then gently rubbed his hands up and down her arms. Amanda slowly fell back to sleep, along with AJ. She woke up later that night in a cold sweat. She kicked off the blankets and tried to cool herself down. Amanda looked over at AJ who was sound asleep. Gradually she sat herself up and looked around. Everything looked blurred in her view. Her head pounded as she tried to make out images around the room. Amanda winced as she felt her stomach churn. She let out a small whimper as nausea began to rise. Knowing what was coming, she clamped her hand over her mouth and dashed to the bathroom. Almost not making it, she began to vomit into the toilet. Once she finished, the bathroom light was flicked on. AJ's blurry figure stood at the door.

"Are you okay baby?"

"Yeah. . .I'm okay," she said as she stood up. Her stomach churned once more. "Oooh! No, I'm not," she said then hovered over the toilet. She felt AJ's hand rubbing her back as she released the rest of her dinner. When she finished, AJ flushed the toilet and put the top down.

"Sit down," he said. Amanda did as she was told, while AJ looked through her drawers. He found a digital thermometer and placed the ear piece in her ear. At the tone of the beep he read her temperature. "Oh geez baby you've got a high fever," he said as he placed her hand on her forehead.

"AJ. . ."Amanda gasped. "I- -I- -I don't feel so good," she choked out.

AJ picked her up and sat her up in a chair. Her clothes were soaked with sweat. "Stay right here, you need to get out of these clothes." AJ went through her dresser and grabbed a pair of jogging pants and a T-shirt. He helped her out of her clothes and into the new ones. Amanda shivered as she put on her clothes. "Are you cold?" he asked. Amanda nodded. AJ grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around her. "Do you think you can walk?" he asked her gently.

"I. . .I don't know," she said with tears in her eyes. AJ picked her up and carried her to the front door. "Where are we going?"

"The hospital. You need to get to a doctor," AJ said as he opened the door.

"No, I don't wanna go!" Amanda sobbed.

AJ carried her to his car and sat her in the passenger seat. "You're going whether you like it or not. Sit tight we'll be there in a few minutes."

"AJ. . .I don't. . .wanna. . ." Amanda's voice faded, then everything went black.

"Amanda!" AJ shouted. "Damn it!" he shrieked and stepped on the gas pedal, hurrying to the hospital.