Maddox kept trying to make small talk for a few minutes, but soon decided the food was better than the awkward conversation. He ended up zoning out, remembering where he was only halfway through lunch. He turned to say something to Iris, but saw her asleep on the blanket. He smiled, watching her sleep. She looked different when she was asleep. He wondered what it was.
Deciding to finish his food and relax, he leaned back on one arm and gazed out around them. He hadn't been paying attention to anyone else, and was pleasantly surprised to see nobody was watching them. Of course, it could have been everyone blatantly ignoring them. He fully expected his friends to give some excuse of 'being stuck with the ice-queen was embarrassing enough without everyone oggling'. Whatever, they could think what they wanted.
He looked back at Iris and realized the word he was looking for. She looked genuinely peaceful when she was asleep. At that moment the bell rang, and he reached out to gently shake her awake. "Hey, Iris, we're gonna be late. Time to wake up."
She still didn't respond and a cold feeling started creeping up his spine. "Iris?!" He said a little louder, pulling her into his arms. She was limp. Not knowing what else to do, he got to his feet with her held to his chest and left their picnic and flour bag assignment behind as he rushed Iris to the nurse's office.
"HEY! A little help here!" He yelled, hoping he didn't sound as scared and desperate to the office staff as he did to his own ears. He ducked his chin at Iris, "We were eating lunch and I thought she just fell asleep but now she won't wake up! What do I do?!" He was interrupted by one of their peers who worked in the office in place of a class motioning him into the Nurse's office and telling him that the Nurse had already left for the day. "She should be okay soon, just lay her down and let her rest. You can go back to class now."
But instead of going back to class, Maddox stayed beside her unable to help the anxiety that made him wonder if she was ill or worse.