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After being woken up by a cold chill down your spine, you tried your best to adjust to the low light; your eyes scanning the dark room. They landed on the white light shining a digital 2:00. You groaned, not knowing what had suddenly woken you up. But you noticed that despite the summer heat, you were shivering. You pulled the blankets up to your chin and curled into a ball but no matter how hard you shut your eyes, sleep never returned. The longer you stayed awake, the more your saliva began to pull up in your mouth, a weird sensation was building in your chest then up to your throat.
Remembering this build up all too well, you made a mad dash for the bathroom. Your checks puffed up as you tried to hold everything in but they immediately released when you fell over the toilet. Now there was a new sensation in your throat- an acidic burn that tasted all too much like last nights dinner. You felt tears and snot stream down your face as you coughed and gagged.
Over your coughing you heard your room mate calling out your name, then someone gently pulling back your hair and holding it in a makeshift ponytail. When you tilted your head to the right, you saw your room mates panicking face scanning yours.
“Thanks Adrian-” you were cut off with another wave of nausea and you threw your head back into the toilet. Your knuckles turned white with the death grip you had on the rim.
“Dude… You look like shit.” The way he said it didn't convey any malice but instead was heavy with concern and you chuckled in response as you leaned back sitting on your heels.
“Feel like shit,” your voice was hoarse, barely above a whisper. “Hey Adrian, can you get me a cup of water?"
He quickly nodded his head yes, but before taking off he stole a hair tie off the sink and ensured your hair was out of the way. The kind gesture made you feel much warmer, a blush filling your whole face because of your room mate- or maybe it was just the sickness.
Adrian shortly returned to his position by your side on the floor, cold glass of water in hand. You said a small thank you before taking several big gulps of water. Before you could take another, Adrian lightly pulled the cup from your lips.
“Don't drink too fast,you'll throw up again! Here,” His fingers softly rested on your chin as he brought the glass back to your lips. He guided your head up in sync with the cup and you took slow sips to cool down. Your shivers returned but was it his care that made butterflies do flips in your stomach, or a genuine cold you may be catching?
“‘m tired…" you mumbled as you stood on shaky legs- Adrian immediately standing to help you up. You couldn't stand your post-puke breath so you lazily grabbed your toothbrush and paste and began scrubbing your teeth. As you repeated the swirling motions, your roommate rested his palm on the small of your back to hold you steady. Your focus kept switching from the simple action you were performing, to the burn of your throat, and down to the warm hand sending electricity throughout your body. Adrian, on the contrary, kept his focus solely on you- waiting to help you in any way.
You wiped your mouth with the back of your hand then turned to give a weak smile, an attempt to show Adrian you were ok. The hand on your back now rested on your waist after turning around. Adrian returned your closed smile and rested his other hand on your forehead.
“You're burning up!”
“I'll be fine once I'm in bed, don't worry about it."
“I'm definitely gonna worry about it."
“Just go back to bed Adrian! Thank you for the help but i'm fine."
“Nope, i'm staying by your side till your fevers gone." his eyebrows furrowed, showing he was serious.
“Adriannn," you whined but were cut off by a coughing fit, hunching over a bit to cough into your arm. Once you were done Adrian gave you another one of his puppy faced sad looks, and how could you say no to that? The truth is, you really did want him to stay by your side- whether that was through sickness or in health. So when he wrapped his arm around you and held onto your forearm, you melted into his touch. And when he led you step by step down the hall, you loyally followed.
Adrian helped you settle into bed, even fluffing up your pillow and fixing your sheets. You smiled and blushed at his kind gestures. You didn't ask him to do any of it, but that was what made it so special.
“You feel hot again,” he said as he stared down at your smiling eyes.
“Why are you helping me?"
“Why not?”
“I…” you had to stop and think for a second. Has anyone ever treated you in such a gentle way? Not for anything in return or to hold it over your head- but just to care for you. “Thank you, Adrian.”
His lips gently curled up before he whispered, “of course, I'd do anything for you. Call if you need me, I'll be in the kitchen.” As he turned to exit your bedroom, you grabbed at his wrist, trying your best to freeze time.
“please,” you tried not to sound pathetic but you couldn't help it, “please stay with me."
His mouth slightly fell open as he scanned your face. You began to tremble again, worried you said something wrong. But then he grinned again and climbed into the open space next to you. He opened his arms for you to climb into and you happily accepted. You curled up into his chest as his hands found a place in your hair, absent mindedly twirling it as your breathing fell into sync with each other. You counted each rise and fall of his chest like it was counting sheep. But you didn't need to count in order to fall back asleep, you just needed to know that he was there for you. Adrian was there for you.