Page 19 of Bonding the Band

“All right, but if you need help hunting this guy down, let me know.”

“You know I will.”

“I’m supposed to meet some people for a study group. Are you gonna be okay? I can totally cancel.”

“I’ll be fine,” I insisted. “Go get your study on.”

Once Clover left, I chugged down my cold ginger tea and resolved to get to work. I was halfway through my reading when it felt like I had been struck by lightning, my heart and mind racing, my eyes flicking over the page and absorbing every word in rapid succession. The paper formed in my head, the arguments, the analysis, and I dragged my laptop over, fingers flying over the keys. I had no idea what was going on, but this was infinitely preferable to passing out on my book.

I finished one paper, and then another that was due two weeks later, then notes for two of my upcoming exams, before I finally got too restless sitting in one place and set about cleaning the dorm.

“Meads, I’m ba—” Clover stood frozen in the doorway while I was on my hands and knees, scrubbing baseboards. “Holy shit, girl.”

“Hey, Clo.”

“What are you doing? I thought you had a paper?”

“Finished it.”

“Why are your eyes so big?”

I shrugged, turning back to a pesky scuff I was determined to buff out of existence. “Dunno.”

“Girl, stop cleaning. The whole place is sparkling already.”

“But the scuff.”

“You can’t even see the scuff when you’re standing. It’s fine.” Clover herded me over to the couch and got me a glass of water, but I was still buzzing with energy.

I chugged down the water, sating my thirst and apparently triggering my hunger. My stomach growled loudly.

“How long have you been cleaning for?”

“Not sure. A while.” I felt twitchy and unsettled, a bit floaty, like my body was struggling to keep a hold on my brain. I clung to the couch arm, staring at Clover.

“Is this a weird reaction to your medication? You kinda look like you’re cracked out on caffeine. Should you call the clinic?”

“I’ll go back if I still feel like this tomorrow. Maybe I have zoomies because I had a really solid nap? I haven’t been sleeping well lately.”

Clover frowned. “I guess that’s possible. Do you want me to make you something to eat, or should we order something in?”

“Pizza?” I asked hopefully.

“Double pep, extra cheese?”

“Yes, please.”

Clover put in the order, and by the time it finally arrived, I was ravenous and pacing. Half the pizza disappeared before I realized I’d been inhaling it, and I ate the next slice at the speed of a reasonable human.

“That was a little scary,” Clover admitted. “I’ve never seen you eat that fast.”

“I was hungry.” I pouted.

“I see that.” Clover passed me another water. “Got to stay hydrated after all that sodium.”

It was past two a.m. when I finally crashed. I felt normal when I woke and fended off Clover trying to lovingly bully me into going back to the clinic.

“I promise I’ll go if the same thing happens when I take the medication again.”

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