72 Until This Frail Body Of Mine Withers Away

[Stephen's POV]

'It's this feeling again,' I sighed as I closed my eyes to endure the pain that was slowly spreading inside my chest.

'It hurts.'

Our group had just passed through the gates of the academy when my ailment struck. At first I just felt lightheaded. This was nothing new because I experienced this almost everyday. However, when I started to feel a dull pain that was slowly spreading inside my chest, I knew the feelings would not pass as easily. As I placed my hand over my chest, I felt that my world spun for a brief moment.

'No good.'

My breathing became a bit ragged, but I endured it. Sometimes, this feeling would go away after a minute or two. However, the pain in my chest was slowly intensifying. I knew from experience that things might get out of hand if I didn't calm myself.

Since I was walking behind the group, no one noticed my condition. For that I was half thankful and half regretful. Thankful because they were not able to see me in this pathetic state, and regretful because I might pass out anytime and they would not be able to help me.

"What's wrong?"

An annoying boy with light-brown hair and brown eyes asked me with a serious expression. He had a bewildered look on his face and I knew that he was not faking it.

'Nothing is wrong.' Was what I'd like to say, but since my life was on the line, I decided to swallow my pride and talk to this annoying stink bug.

"Fuck off."

"Huh? What's your problem?"

'Oops!' My annoyance got the better of me. Not good. I better apologize and ask him to bring me to the infirmary. I narrowed my gaze and looked at the stink bug in front of me. Desperate times call for desperate measures.

"You're annoying," I said as my vision became a bit blurry. "Shut up and catch me you idiot."

That was the last thing I remembered before my vision was painted in darkness. Thinking back, my social skills seemed to have deteriorated. Or perhaps, it was because I was talking to "him" which triggered my rudeness. It couldn't be helped. I didn't like bugs hovering beside her.

This was the first time that I ever felt this way. This feeling called Jealousy. It was such a terrible feeling. Seeing the one you like talking to someone else, seeing the person you hold dear looking at someone else. The ache that I feel everytime I see her smile at someone else is slowly driving me insane.

Is this what they call over possessiveness? I don't know. However, I better learn how to control my emotions. My already weak body won't last long if this continues.

The moment I opened my eyes, I saw the familiar stink bug sitting beside me. He was sitting on a chair with his right leg resting over the other. His arms were crossed over his chest and a smile plastered on his face.

He gave off a feeling of security. It was as if, as long as he was around, everything was going to be alright.

If any girl were to see his current posture I'm sure that it would make their hearts race and cheeks burn due to infatuation. However, I am not a girl. Seeing him with that smug smile on his face just made me want to punch him!

"You're awake?" Ethan asked.

"No. I'm asleep!" I replied in irritation.

I hate people who ask stupid questions. Why do they need to ask a question if they already know the answer? If I were to smack a baseball bat against your head and ask you "Does it hurt?" how would you feel?

Looking at the familiar scenery around me, I knew that I was inside the academy's infirmary. My body felt heavy and moving was a bit troublesome. Still, I stood up from the bed. I didn't want to look weak in front of this person.

"Where are the others?" I asked with a frown. Deep inside I was feeling anxious because I might have given Kate a bad impression. 'This sucks.'

"They are currently checking the results of the exam," Ethan answered in a calm manner. "They were very worried about you, so I volunteered to watch over you while they looked for our names on the bulletin board."

I nodded my head in understanding,"I see."

It was a good move. In order to not waste any time, this was the best method available. My gaze landed on the stink bug in front of me. I knew that he was the one who caught me when I fell. Since I didn't see any bruises anywhere, it seemed that he managed to catch me in time.

I am not an ungrateful person. I know when to apologize and say my thanks. This time, I will properly thank him.

"Your fly is unzipped," I said with a smile. "Don't you know that flashing is immoral?"

The stink bug almost fell from his seat as he checked the zipper of his jeans. I didn't lie. It was indeed open. Perhaps it was undone when he caught me during my fall or during the time he carried me to the infirmary. I could feel my lips curling up into a smirk. Not good, I might not be able to stop myself from laughing.

"I bet a lot of girls saw it while you were carrying me. Good for them, they saw something very nice. Be proud of yourself."

I said that with a smile and patted him on the shoulders. The stink bug gave me a what-is-wrong-with-you glare which made my smile widen.

'This is not good. I should be thanking him and not ridiculing him.'

I straightened up my facial expression and gave him a serious look. This time I will thank him properly. The Malfoys do not shy away from their saviors. That was our family creed and I needed to uphold it. From now on, I will not call you stink bug anymore inside my head. That is the least I could do for your help.

"T-Thank you," I stuttered. "Thank you for catching me in time."

"I wasn't the one who caught you," Ethan replied. "It was Kate."

"Kate was the one who caught me?"

"Yes. it happened so fast that I had no time to react."

"So it was her," I muttered. "She saved me again."

Ethan nodded his head in affirmation. "You better thank her properly later."

"Of course I will properly thank her," I said with renewed determination. 'You saved me twice already. Will there be a third time?'

If possible, I hope that there won't be a third time. I need to train this body and become healthier. My gaze landed back on the boy in front of me.

"Stink bug."

"Huh? Did you say something?"

"No," I said with a smile. 'Since you were not the one who saved me then you're going back to being a stink bug!'

Since I was already feeling a bit better, there was no need to stay in the infirmary any longer. Before I was able to take my first step forward, I saw the apple of my eye walk inside the infirmary. Her reddish-brown hair shone in the sunlight and her pretty face dazzled my eyes.

How I wish that she would only look at me, but the way I am now, it would be impossible.

'I need to get stronger,' I vowed in my heart. 'I need to be healthier.'

Until this frail body of mine withers away, I will stand by your side, and weather whatever storms come our way.

[End of Stephen's POV]