A is for Aspirin

Beck bent down and extracted his science textbook from his locker, wincing at the building cacophony in the hall as it filled up with students rushing from one class to the next. He pinched the bridge of his nose and took a deep breath. Only a few more hours, then he could go home and get some respite from all this noise.

"Beck, after school we're going to the mall. Mom took away my pear-pod last night for being mouthy, so naturally now I need to go get another piercing." Jade announced as she came up behind her boyfriend, smiling deviously. Beck chuckled and turned to face her.

"How about we go tomorrow? I haven't been feeling well today." He countered. Jade's eyes darkened and she looked him up and down, seemingly appraising his condition.

"You don't look sick. I want to go today. If I put it off mommy dearest won't learn anything from her actions." Jade stipulated, her expression forbidding any further resistance. Beck weighed the cost of arguing with her and shrugged, relenting.

"All right, today then. But you have to buy me a smoothie." He playfully tugged a lock of azure-streaked hair. Jade rolled her eyes.

"Ugh, fine. I'll see you later." She turned on her heel and glared her way through the crowd, Beck had to admire the way she could clear a path with just a look. A locker slammed next to him and his head throbbed. He took another deep breath.

"Hey Beck, what's up?" Tori asked brightly as she approached him. Her expression softened as she got closer. "Are you okay? You don't look so good, and you were pretty quiet in Sikowitz's class this morning." She reached out and gently gripped his arm, concern written in her features.

Beck smiled. Tori seemed to have a sixth sense for when he needed cheering up. "Yeah I'm fine. Just have a little headache." He lightly tapped his cranium for emphasis. Tori nodded and started rummaging in her purse, biting her lower lip unconsciously in concentration as she searched. After a few seconds she made a triumphant sound and pulled out a small white bottle.

"Here, take some of these." She opened the little plastic container and tapped two aspirin into her palm, then held them out to him. "I always carry some for emergencies." She handed him the medicine. Beck thanked her and tossed the pills back with the rest of his lemonade from lunch.

"You're a life-saver doctor Vega." Beck waved at her as she left for her next class. Beck watched Tori disappear around the corner and then headed to his own class. It was such a small, simple gesture, but it was refreshing to be the one being taken care of. Nice even.

Really nice.