Nosebleed

The street of Auburn City was instantly filled with people going home when six o'clock strikes. Figures of five students hurrying to catch a ride are quite comical if weren't for the fact that most people are also doing it. Most can't help but curse as they were pushed aside and failed to force themselves in, but for those that did, they are in relief as they are cursing the hellish ride of a delightful mixture of scents.

Aliyah breathed heavily as she tried to catch her breath while watching the bus drive away, cursing her Christmas tree-like appearance and the heavy object for slowing her down. "Urgh! Please...I'm so tired. Ha...why of all people do I need to carry this..." She snaps her head toward her friends who are also carrying big bags on their own.

Aliyah's face darkens as she remembers the reason why she's carrying these heavy things with her. "I'm gonna remove their name when I pass this fucking project!"

"Go...girl...ha...this is so heavy!" One of her girlfriends, Mela, complained. She carefully placed the big bag on the ground as she slump herself to the side.

Mela glanced and examined the contents carefully, "You made these on your own? No wonder you look like a zombie," She can't help but comment as she saw the various handmade props inside. She shows it to their other friends who frowned and cursed,

"What? Girl...you're attempting suicide; where in the hell are your groupmates?" Precious enquired, a deep frown on her face. Group projects are tasks that you cannot possibly complete on your own, especially with a short deadline; they are hectic and stressful, especially when attempted alone!

Pig teammates are worse than a bothersome opponent. "Right, it's annoying to say this, but you can come to us for help, y'know?" Sherlene added. "You should notify your professor; you can't just let them be graded using your work, girl; the Aliyah I know isn't a pushover."

Aliyah let out a long sigh. She's actually tried to tell the professor many times but there's always something that gets in the way; a meeting, class bell, someone calling her, the prof. is busy and so on. She texted and call her group mates many, many times but they always have excuses and reasons every time!

One got her sibling in an accident, the other is having his father's funeral, one doesn't even appear and attend school and the other said she's sick! Tell her what she's supposed to say that except saying; 'okay, but please help when you're okay, or have time.' She really has become a pushover.

"I tried, but fate keeps stopping me plus, their reason is...acceptable. What can I do?"

"Even so. We're all struggling. They're struggling, I understand, but did they even try to help out a little bit? I mean, I'm not invalidating them or anything, but...look at you girl! We're not even in the same class or campus, but I could totally imagine you dozing off and the prof. scolding you." Sherlene looks at them. Rebecca, who is normally quiet and unresponsive, agreed with her words.

"Sherlene is correct; the deadline is in three days; what are you going to do?" said Rebecca. Rebecca and Aliyah are both in art classes, but their majors are different. Rebecca majors in Fine Arts, while Aliyah majors in Visual Arts. Rebecca also attended a few same classes with Aliyah and knew about the whole project. "Doing these alone would bite you back."

"I know. I know. I'm thinking, okay? I planning to tell the prof. when I have more free time."

"And when's that? When you already pass it or when you pass out?" Sandra stood up and slap Aliyah's shoulder. Aliyah sighed as she felt their worries.

"Drop it, guys. Ali's obviously tired so are the rest of us. I booked a car and it's here, so let's just continue it at another time perhaps?...please." Precious picked up the eco bag and guide them to the car she booked. Aliyah sent her a thankful gaze which she only smiled and hurry them so they can go home and rest.

The whole ride is quiet with some chatter here and there, the five of them are tired and are practically only dragging their body to get home. Aliyah's the one who first went home as she has the closest house and the rest are living in dorms together.

"So tired..." Aliyah murmured as she keyed the door open, groaning as she eyed the soft sofa. She resists the desire by closing her eyes and forcing herself to go to her room. When she saw her mother and sister, she let out a tired hum. "Rest a little, then change your clothes; I'll call you when it's dinner," her mother gently reminded her as she entered her room with a tired smile.

She slumped down in her bouncy single-person bed, muttering to herself at the soothing cracking of her bones. Aliyah sighed, her eyes cast down at the white ceiling. After drifting for a while, she sat up and stretched her sore body.

She turned on the air conditioner by reaching for the white remote control on her nightstand and pressing the button. "Okay...let's take a quick hot shower...umph!"

After a quick shower, Aliyah changed to her nightwear and went down after hearing her mother's call. The dinner was lively as both her father and sister went home early. The discussion surrounded their well-being and how are they at school or work. Aliyah helped out with cleaning the table before running back to her room, spreading the material she needed to work on.

"Sniff, sniff, aah...I'm dying," Aliyah grumbled, rubbing her eyes and cracking her back. She took out her phone, which was covered by various props she finished with a long sigh.

Aliyah was about to open her phone when she noticed her hands trembling slightly, and she stared at it until her vision became blurry. "Fudge...it hurts...ha..." Aliyah closed her eyes tightly, clutching her chest. Her chest began to hurt, and she could hear her head ringing.

"Ha...ha...hoo...shit." Stream of curses roll out her tongue as she steadied her breathing. As the pain from her chest subsided, her trembling hands slowly stopped. Aliyah shut her eyes, massaging her temple.

"W-what?" Aliyah's eyes trembled as she look at her bloodied fingers. Shoot. Great, she's having a nosebleed.