Before Me, Him

Chapter 23

     The alarm clock rings, telling my body that it is time to wake up. I slowly open my eyes and turn on the small lamp on my bedside table. Once the light reached my eyes I felt an enormous headache and then I noticed that every time I swallowed my throat hurt. My nose was a bit runny but nothing out of this world however I did feel very hot. 

     "I have a cold" I immediately understood. How did I catch it? Yesterday was chilly at the end of the afternoon when I was drinking the smoothie. Looking around I could see that I had left the window open allowing the cold night breeze to enter. Those were most likely the factors.

     I pick up the phone and call Robert's house, warning him that I couldn't go help him today which he replied with "You are only allowed to come back when you are healthy! Get better soon June!" along with a small chuckle. I also ended up texting Luke, I told him I wasn't able to meet him today because I had gotten sick but that I would be with him tomorrow.

     As I turn off the lights to get some extra rest I could feel my body heavy and a little bit troubled to breathe. "I hope this ends up quick." I sigh.

     - Good morning June! – I hear Emily's voice echoing in my head, loudly and clearly. I open my eyes slightly and see the curtains being open, allowing the bright sun lights to enter. My head started to hurt more.

     - Please, close it, Emily, please I'm begging you. – I say with some cracks in my voice.

     She rushes to my side and places her hand on my forehead.

     - You're burning June! – she looks at me surprised. – How did you get a cold?

     I shrug, honestly, it was too troublesome to explain and my throat already hurt enough. I would prevent myself from talking today. As I was back in the darkness, Emily leaves the room and I hear her talking on the phone with someone. I had no idea what time it was, I had no courage to turn on the lights to see the alarm clock or even my phone to check the hours. I sight. After around ten minutes, Emily enters the room with a small towel along with a small recipient of lukewarm water. She places it on my head while she takes my fever. It was a very high value. I don't remember when was the last time I had such a high fever actually. My body itself does get sick with flues rather easily but I barely have fevers, especially high ones.

     An hour goes by and I hear the doorbell ring. "Who could it be?" I questioned myself. Maybe it was John back with the groceries. Since Therese knew I was sick she decided to make me some chicken soup in order for me to improve faster. Emily leaves the room after wetting the towel and placing it on my forehead again.

     - Hi June, how are you feeling? – I open my eyes and see Jacob sitting on the chair next to me, where Emily once was. I guess I fell asleep.

     - Good. – I say as I try to sit straight but end up being denied by Jacob who just nods negatively and places his hands on my shoulders, pushing me down.

     - You should rest, don't force yourself. – he says while smiling at me.

     - Were you here long? – I ask while Jacob removes the towel from my forehead and wets it again. I felt hotter than I felt before.

     - Around one hour. You were asleep I didn't want to wake you up.

     I was confused, why was he here? I end up questioning him and he replies that Emily had called him so the whole group had come. Phillip was helping Therese in the kitchen and Dean went with Emily to buy some tea that John had forgot.

     - We're not the only ones here though... - he says while sighing.

     - Polly? – Jacob nods negatively. – Luke?

     - Yes, he is downstairs. Emily told him the address.

     - Don't let him come here, I really... - Luke was the last person I did not want to see in this terrible state. I can barely think straight or communicate.

     - It's alright. I won't. – Jacob smiles as he removes some medicine from a white plastic bag. – Take these, it will make you feel better.

     After taking the pills Jacob stood there, with his eyes traveling between the room and me. I end up closing my eyes as my mind starts wandering in a million different things. I remembered how troubled I was yesterday about what had happened, a thing that I didn't understand however now it is all explained. In the end, it was just with a small cold. I kept telling that to myself but for some reason, it just wouldn't sit well with me. Is there something else that I'm missing? Something that I should be considering perhaps? I wonder.

     Sometime later Luke enters the room with some soup. I slowly open my eyes and look at him. "God, I truly wish he wasn't here right now." I think to myself.

     - They made some soup, would you like some? – he asks while Jacob goes grab more lukewarm water. I nod with my head. – Don't worry, I won't talk about anything serious right now. Just focus on getting well and then we will talk alright?

     That's right. Luke was kind. Luke is kind. He always was and always has been. It makes no sense how someone who chased me for such a long time and who is this kind to me to cheat on me. Now that I think about it, there has to be something else behind it, maybe... Or maybe it was just me that he grew tired of. One of the two will be but I am sure I will find out soon enough.

     Luke places the soup on my bedside and leaves. I guess he understands that his presence is a bit discomforting for me. It's not that I don't like him or despise him but until things are solved between us I cannot be alone with him. I'm afraid that if that happens he will get his hopes up somehow and end up becoming more hurt than he already is.

     In the meantime, Jacob comes back and finds Luke on his way out, taking the chance to tell him something. I couldn't understand what it was but I heard Luke's emotional response "We'll see about that!". His voice was loud, that only happened when his feelings started to overflow. I started to wonder about what Jacob had told him and, without me knowing, a small curiosity grew within me.

     I was slowly starting to sit as Jacob sits on the chair beside my bed. I picked the soup and placed it on my lap. I look at the food for some minutes, gathering strength within my body to eat. My body was aching everywhere and I felt like all my strength has gone somewhere not to be found anymore.

     - Do you want me to feed you? – Jacob asks while placing his elbow on my bedside table.

     - No! – I said roughly while still in shock. My body starts to warm up again, the fever must be getting worse.

     - If you change your mind let me know, I'll be right here with you. – he smiles kindly.