Chapter 23
ϕVeraϕ
I still felt like it wasn’t fair what happened to Zac. But I also knew it was life, and that sometimes bad things happen to good people. He did however know what to say to calm me down. And embarrass me to no end. My face heated up as he complimented me, and it made me panic not knowing how to react. So maybe he didn’t calm me down, in a way.
“T-Thank you.” I said quietly.
“I uh, you know, just saying…” He stuttered. “I don’t like seeing you cry, you mean a lot to me, I haven’t met anyone like you before.” He said quickly. I smiled a little at him.
“You haven’t met many people in a long time, much less made friends. It’s alright Zac. Actually, it’s a really good feeling knowing you care the way you do. I, I don’t feel so alone.” I said, looking down a little, trying to hide my shyness but obviously failing.
“You’ll never be alone while I’m around, I promise.” Zac said. I looked over at him and held my pinky out to him. He attempted to wrap his pinky around mine, and of course his hand phased through mine, but I still smiled.
“Still counts.” I chuckled, but then sneezed.
“Bless you, are you alright?” He asked. “Your face is a bit more red than usual.” He noted. I thought that I had just been feeling embarrassed and that was the only reason why I was starting to get warm. But, now that I stopped and thought about it, my head was starting to get a little stuffy. Crap. I was probably getting a cold.
“I’m ok, probably just the start of a cold.” I waved my hand.
“You’re certain it isn’t from the scratch you got?” He asked, sounding rather concerned.
“I don’t think so, I cleaned it pretty good and it doesn’t look awful.” I said with a small smile. I actually liked him fussing over me, it made me feel kinda special. Oh no, I have to stop thinking like this! There was no way I could even sort of like him. Well, maybe I did a little, and it figures that I would finally find a boy who listened and cared, someone I felt like I had known forever, and he turned out to be dead. We would never be able to be anything more than friends. Even then I couldn’t tell people about him, or else I would be labeled as completely insane. I had to just push thoughts like that away, and keep it a secret.
“Vera, hello? Are you listening?” I suddenly heard.
“O-Oh, no, sorry, I didn’t hear you…” I said.
“I said maybe you should lay down, or tell your mom you aren’t feeling well.” Zac suggested.
“Ok, yeah, I’ll tell mom and grab a bite to eat, and then lay down.” I nodded and stood up, and quickly walked out of my room and down stairs. “Mom?” I poked my head around the corner and into the living room.
“Yes sweetie?” She looked up at me.
“I think I’m starting to get sick, so I’ll just make some soup and lay down upstairs. I’ll let you know if I get worse.” I said.
“Oh, alright. Take up some water too, is there anything you need?” She asked me.
“No, I’ll be alright, I’m sure it’s just going to be a little cold.” I smiled, trying to reassure her.
“Ok, but just don’t push yourself too hard Vera.” She nodded.
“I won’t, I promise.” I said and then made some soup and sipped it slowly. I was sure that tomorrow it would be a little worse though. Good thing it was getting me now and not a little later when school started. That would make the experience even more miserable. Once I finished up I took a big glass of water upstairs with me and found Zac still sitting on my bed. “Are you ok?” I asked him.
“Hm? Oh, yes I’m fine.” He said. I sat my water on the nightstand and turned on my television, and sat the remote down.
“There is a marathon on tonight, Lord Of The Rings. I think you would like it. Maybe you’ve read the books. The movies are really good too.” I sat down next to him.
“You don’t have to put it on just for me.” He shook his head.
“Who said I was doing that? I like it too you know.” I coughed a few times and smiled at him.
“Oh, alright then.” He said. I moved my hand over and it phased through his, but I didn’t care.
“Stay and watch it with me?” I asked quietly. He nodded a bit and I slid under my covers and laid down. I stayed awake for about half of the first movie, but couldn’t help but give in to my fatigue and fell asleep.
