Chris sighed and ran a hand over his face. He couldn't stay cooped up in the library doing nothing. If she was really sick… he needed to check on her. Without another thought, he grabbed his bag and dashed out of the building, scanning the campus as he went.
The usual spots came first: the library, the café, the benches near the student center. Nothing. Her absence gnawed at him more with every step. Then, as he rounded the corner toward the small park near the edge of campus, he saw a familiar figure slumped on a bench under the shade of a tree.
Taylor.
Chris froze for a moment, taking her in. Her jacket was loosely wrapped around her, and her head lolled slightly to the side. She looked pale, almost fragile, and her chest rose and fell in shallow, uneven breaths.
He rushed over, kneeling beside her and carefully placing a hand on her forehead. The heat made him wince. She was burning up. His heart pounded, worry clawing at him. "Taylor…" he murmured softly. "Hey, wake up. You're burning up."
Her eyelids fluttered, and she groaned softly, lifting her head just enough to see him. "C-Chris?" she whispered, her voice hoarse.
"You're sick," he said, voice low but firm. "No wonder you missed class. Why didn't you tell me?"
"I… didn't want to bother you," she mumbled, shivering slightly under the thin jacket.
"You're not bothering me!" he said, brushing a loose strand of hair from her face. "You could've at least sent one text. I was worried sick."
Taylor tried to sit up straighter, but her body slumped back against the bench. "I… I'm okay," she whispered, though Chris could see clearly how weak she really was.
"No, you're not okay," he said, glancing around quickly. "You're burning up. You need water, maybe some medicine, and you're definitely not moving anywhere until I make sure you're steady."
Her brown eyes widened, and for a moment, all the sarcasm and teasing between them disappeared. She just looked small and vulnerable, and Chris felt a protective surge he hadn't expected.
He gently rested a hand on her shoulder, careful not to startle her. "I've got you," he said softly. "You're not alone, Taylor. Not today."
Taylor gave a faint, tired smile and leaned back slightly, letting herself relax against the bench. Chris stayed there, silently watching over her, wishing he could do more than just make sure she didn't collapse right there in the park.