"I-I'm fine," he automatically said with closed eyes, though the way his arms tightened around his stomach said otherwise. "Just tired, I guess. It's not a big deal."

He couldn't help but sound slightly defensive as he spoke. It was hard enough to admit something was wrong to most of his friends. Saying as much to a girl who had just laughed at him was even harder.

"Don't worry about it," he added with a small wave of his hand, not bothering to look at her.