Alex squeezed Fiona's hand gently, not wanting to let go just yet, but not really having a choice. She covered her mouth as a violent coughing fit seized her. The pain in Alex's throat caused tears to prick her eyes. As the fit began to subside, Alex was thankful to be able to breathe again. A new tickle in her throat soon had her reaching for her water glass. After she caught her breath, she was finally able to respond to Fi, "Let me worry about my friends. If they're really my friends, they won't care. If they aren't my friends, then who needs them?" She shrugged nonchalantly.<br/><br/>Alex was touched by Fiona's tenderness. No one had really tried so hard to please her before. It humbled her. Her face was still rather hot when her aunt came in with dessert, a worried frown on her face as she checked her forehead with the back of her hand. "I'm ok Aunt Gina, but I think I'll lay back down after dessert, if that's ok with everyone?" Carmen looked back and forth between Alex and Fiona, the expression on her face a combination of confusion, anger and worry. "That's fine dear," her aunt Gina responded with a tender smile, patting Alex's knee gently