04.

Shoal was cold, again and his legs had literally liquidified a while ago, he clinged on the coffee cup as Tom helped him walk through the phone store.

"I'm using this" Danny said gesturing at the rose gold phone. "But I think you're probably rich, so I'd suggest you get the newest model."

Tom laughs wholeheartedly at Danny's comment. Shoal picks up the rose gold phone Danny gestured at. "Let's get this." he told Tom, pushing at the man to stabilise himself.

"So where'd you want to go next?" Shoal asked Danny, as the girl excited taps on every phone in the store.

"Home. After I get your number. I have a test tomorrow and I'd like to at least pretend to study for it." Shoal inked at her response.

"Where do you live then?"

"Just down the street," she said, patting Shoal's shoulder "you got the right place this time. Where do you live, then, big shot?"

"Solpadia."

"Solpadia is big, if you haven't noticed, and I don't recall our king having a son."

"I'm only here temporarily."

"Where are you from then?"

"I don't know either, they put down to be determined." Shoal said.

Danny laughed at his response. "To be determined must be ana amazing country, no, really, they can do that?"

Shoal pursed his lips. "I suppose?"

Tom came bag with a bag in his hands.

"I picked out a number for you."

Danny swiped out her phone and keyed in the number Tom was showing her.

Shoal looked around awkwardly, leaning on the display table as he started feeling weak again.

Tom looked at him. "You better get back, we have to go to Barsilla tomorrow, and you'd have to rush back for school."

Danny looked up from her phone. "Barsilla? Why?"

Tom looked at her "Duty calls."

They walk out of the store, Tom dutifully holding onto Shoal.

"Do princes actually have private tutors?"

"No I actually go to school. I'm not exactly well-known, you see."

Danny hums pulling the car door open and skidding in like she owns the vehicle. She jumped out almost as quickly as she slid in.

"I forgot my place is just down the street. I'll text you, then."

Shoal nodded. "I'll wait."

He watched Danny stride down the street until she blends in with the crowd. He huffs.

"Let's go."

Tom helped him into the car. He tugged on the collar neck of his white t-shirt, struggling to breathe a little. He laid back his head, trying to catch a wink.

He heard the door slam shut, and they were off. Every jerk of the car made his body feel as if it was set on fire. Barsilla, school, life seemed too long.

His was jerked awake by Tom as they stopped before the hotel. Tom had carried him to his room and tucked him in bed. He couldn't sleep after that, the pain was too much to handle.

"You can't take any more pills though, your highness" Tom said, brushing Shoal's forehead. Shoal could only nod in acknowledgement.

He almost jumped up when Tom's phone rang. Tom held it up for Shoal, answering the phone for him. It was his father.

"Shoal!" his cheerful voice rang across the line "How's my boy today?" Shoal only whimpered across the line.

The cheerful tone in his father voice died down.

"I'm sorry, son." he said, almost like it was his fault that Shoal was in pain. "Is Tom there?"

"Yes, your majesty."

"Call the doctor, I won't hold you up." he said, hanging up.

Shoal's consciousness fizzed out.

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