Letters to Adonis

Chapter:: Five

Dear Adonis,

A week later, all is well again. I apologize to you for being so weird the other day, and I brought you flowers. You liked it, laughed, and said that you were glad I wasn’t blinded by gender stereotypes.

My dad never found out that we took a nap together, and I enjoyed that. I never really got to have a sliver of my life separate from my dad in a few months. We have now known each other for three or four months, it’s easy to forget.

“What do you want to do today?” you ask me, arms wrapped around my waist as we lay on my bed.

I think about it, in all honesty I want to lay here and take a nap. “We could go out to the mall? To Pita Pit or something, I love that place.”

You come closer to me, snuggling as close you can. “But?”

“I don’t want to get up.” I tell you, almost embarrassed at my laziness and being stubborn even though both ideas sound great. “I’m pretty comfy right here.”

“Too bad they don’t deliver.” You say, and I agree. A few silent moments pass. “It could be a date.”

We haven’t had one of those in a while, between my appointments and after I got a little stranger after we saw my mom. We haven’t had one since our first. I get up immediately, “I’ll be ready in five minutes.”

~

“So, what decided if you get the car or not?” I ask you, we are now with car. It seems like every other time you don’t have it.

You shrug. “I think it honestly depends on my mother’s mood of the day, or how much of a good job I do helping her. She says she misses you by the way.” You tell me as you come to a stop, before going again.

“We should go see her later.” I tell you as I try to find a good radio station. My finger trembles a little as I place it on the button, but other than that I feel perfectly healthy.

“Whatever you want, Ariel.” You tell me with a smile on your face.

“If it wasn’t you, I would take that sarcastically.”

“Well, what if I was being sarcastic?” you pull up to Pita Pit, and we walk in while sticking our tongues out at each other. Since my father pulled me out of school I’ve been enjoying marathons of shows on Netflix, doodling, and spending time with you.

“You’d regret it. No more nap time.” I tell you, and enjoy the look on your face. Pure shock.  I guess it didn’t occur to you that I liked cuddling and sleeping as much as you did, so that would never happen.

“Don’t be so dramatic.” You bump my hip with yours while you order us the same thing, and I’m surprised you know everything I want including my toppings.

“Should I be freaked out that you know exactly what I want?” I ask you, being serious.

“No, because it’ll always be me.” You wiggle your eyebrows at me and I nudge you, paired with an eye roll.

“Aren’t you cute.” I mumble, you lean in and kiss me on the cheek. I can’t help but blush, even though I’m used to the sensation. We get our food quickly since there is no line, and find seats easily since the food court is nearing empty at this time of day. “I’m so hungry. Thank you Adonis.”

“You’re welcome.” You mumble over a mouthful of chicken, onions, and ranch. I laugh as you get some over the corner of your mouth. We don’t say anything more while we eat our food. Towards the end of the meal, I notice my hands shaking particularly bad. I don’t say anything because I don’t want to ruin the meal, and it doesn’t mean anything anyways. It’s not like I’m going to explode or anything.

“Can you hold my hands for a second?” I ask you, I don’t like the sensation of my hands shaking while I don’t consciously control it. You eat the last bite of your pita before you wrap your warm hands around mine. “Thank you.” I sigh, not even noticing it now.

“Are you ready to go? I think we have time to take a quick nap before your dad gets home.” You look at your phone and I nod, pulling my hands away from yours to push my chair back.

“That sounds like you’re talking about sex.” We laugh and shake our heads. I don’t know about you, but obviously I have thought about sex. We’re teenagers, almost eighteen, it’s normal and all of that. But all I need at this point in my life, is a cute nap buddy. I try to stand up and shout when my leg won’t bend, and it feels like something is holding it together so I can’t get up. It’s only my right leg, and it’s scary. I immediately can’t help but blame my disease, stupid genetics. “Adonis, I can’t get up.” I whisper to you, my shout got a few people’s attention. “I need help.”

You look over at me and process it for a few seconds. “I’m so sorry babe! I forgot to scoot your chair out, where are my manners?” You drag my chair across the not so smooth ground and grab my hand, making it look like I’m wrapping my arm around you. When we move to exit Pita Pit, my right arm is across your shoulders and you’re carrying all my weight.

“Adonis, call my dad.” I tell you as you help me into the car, scared again that I won’t be me for very much longer.

Love, Ariel