Chapter 87: Signal Song (4)
"You doin’ okay?" Jamie asked in a concerned voice as he looked at Ari, who was slumped over in his seat.
"Yeah, I’m fine, cough, cough ahem," Ari replied in a raspy voice before coughing, clearing his throat, and blowing his nose hard on a tissue.
The person sitting next to him stood up and moved to another chair with a disgusted face, while Jamie stared at him.
Jamie: "..."
He wanted to ask if Ari was sure he was okay, but seeing him blow his nose so hard that the thick white face paint came off, exposing the reddened tip, he just changed the subject since it was obvious that the other boy was sick.
"I’m done, so if you tell me where your stuff is, I’ll load it up with my suitcase and guitar so we can leave as soon as you’re through with the judges."
"It’s under the leftmost bed in room F(1), and it’s just my black duffel bag," Ari replied in a raspy voice before blowing his nose again and drinking the cup of hot tea he had on the floor.
"Got it. Good luck." Jamie patted his back as he stood up and walked away, and Ari slumped back down while waiting to be called.
His head felt groggy, his body was feverish and shaking from chills, and his throat was raspy and so sore that even with a soothing cough drop, he winced each time he swallowed the tea.
In the waiting space with dwindling contestants, the sounds of people coughing and sneezing could be heard, as most of Ari’s teammates were sick as well.
It seemed that after the brutal week of no sleep, nonstop practice, being soaked, and then sitting in air conditioning for hours, their bodies had broken down.