Chapter 168

Valerie spent two days in the lab without eating or drinking. On Monday, she showed up on time for class. She was so lost in thoughts of the past that she didn't notice her classmates pointing at her and whispering. Yvette jogged over to her, looking frantic. She dragged Valerie to a quieter spot and said, "I've finally found you! Why's your phone been off?" Valerie had spent two sleepless days in the lab, surviving on just a couple of bottles of water when she'd gotten parched. She hadn't taken a bite of food. She said weakly, "My battery died." The truth was, she'd turned the phone off. She'd been in a foul mood and hadn't been up for talking to anyone. Only then did Yvette notice how pale she was. "It's only been a few days since we last saw each other, and you look like hell." She touched Valerie's forehead and gasped. "You're burning up! Are you sick? Come on, we're going to the infirmary." Valerie waved off the concern. "It's just low blood sugar from two days straight of