(I can also relate to that... And at least you don't have to deal with that in the online school. Right?)

Kate nodded, not about to push her to do something she didn't want to do. "Okay. I'll tell him."

(He know my email)

"Thank you." D said softly, starting to bite her lip again.

(...Yeah, okay, that's pretty bad. Nevermind.)

She nodded again. "It's nothing." She traced D's bottom lip with her thumb, trying to make her stop biting her lip. "It'll be okay."

(Eh, its more worrisome now because I'm worried if he's okay. He doesn't go to zoom classes and he stopped spamming me.)

She relaxed at Kate's touch, closing her eyes and stopping the biting of her lip. "Okay."

(That definitely is worrisome...hmm. Have you tried asking him what was going on?)

"Thank you. I'll be right back." She turned and went back to Luke. "She doesn't want to see you right now."

(Yeah, he didn't respond.)

Luke sighed, nodding. He'd knelt down for Sapphire but he stood shakily.

Sapphire looked up at him in confusion. "Uuuke?"

"I see. I will come back later, if I can. Though I fear I may not. Thank you, may I have your name? My own is Luke. Luke Penner."

D heard his name and shivered.

(And that's a little scarier. Hmm...did he ever mention any plans? Like an early vacation or something?)

She wasn't entirely sure that she wanted to give away her name, but she wasn't creative enough to come up with a different name. "Everyone calls me Kate."

(No. And with quarantine he couldn't anyway. My mom sorta got his mom a little upset so I think something may be going on, I'm really worried. He's still my friend from way back, I care if somethings wrong.)

He nodded politely then lowered his head to her. He was an utter mess. "Thank you, Kate. It was a pleasure to meet, and I hope we meet once more before ..." He swayed a bit, he really was in bad Shape.

Sapphire clung to his leg. "Uuuke? Uuuke?" She asked, worried.

(Yeah, I understand. So there's kinda like...a family feud going on or something? Maybe his mom is monitoring him or something and he is unable to respond to you? Just a theory.)

She didn't have the heart to take Sapphire away from Luke. She didn't really want to invite him in, but he wasn't looking so well.

(Maybe, but class zoom? He has to come to those, but isn't. And my mom adores his mom.)

Sure as heck he wasn't, he was burnt and pale and his hair frazzled. Eyes more than tired, and he was shaking as well as swaying.

Sapphire hugged his leg and patted it. "Shhh...shhhh." She was trying to make him feel better. But he tried to gently remove her. "I must go..." He said softly to her but just about passed out as he almost collapsed but he caught himself. Sapphire looked close to tears.