Double Star.

23: Fever.

POV Ashley:

When I walked through the door of the rooftop terrace, a few cold air outbreaks made the ignition of my cigarette challenging but, the urge to savor this exquisite unsatisfied feeling left me willing to unravel any hindrance. Smoking has been the only casual and peaceful moment in my life lately. That's why the only rare instants I feel like I'm living are when I'm killing myself, maybe.

I tossed the remnant stub on the ground and crushed it with my foot.

It was cold, but the sun was out. The opened door was creaking and groaning by the frigid stirred breeze like an old rocking chair. I felt my cheeks and nose rubbed raw and my fingers burning and icy. I tried to warm them as best I could by blowing upon my thin, wrinkled hands, but a desire to cough welled up inside me instinctively.

-« You should stop smoking, Ash. You cough harder! ».

-« Edward ! ». I turned to face him with my arms crossed but could not see him clearly with my hair fluttering in the wind.

-« So you're not mad at me? ». I asked with an enthusiastic tone, trying to rearrange my wild hair in vain. He smiled, getting nearer to me.

-« Why would I be mad at you ? ». He gripped my dancing strands away from my face with his hands and gathered them behind my ears until the wind messed them up again.

-« You know... I left you alone that night and... ». I stopped talking, feeling a bit embarrassed. He stayed silent, standing tall beside me, gathering all my hair over one shoulder, plaited it away, and secured it with his wristband.

Then, he rested his head on my shoulder, looking thoughtful. His pale face, messy hair, and droopy eyes made him look sick.

-« Ed, are you okay? ». His head moved slowly towards me, and he glanced at me with a wearied gaze.

-« Why would I not be? ». I did not answer, putting my cold hand on his forehead instead.

-« Oh my god! You are so hot! ».

-« Thanks, I know! ». He laughed sarcastically, and I chuckled, despite myself.

-« Not in that way, silly! You have a fever! ». I half screamed.

-« No, I'm just a little tired, that's all! ». I stared at him with a jaded face. He took his head off my shoulder and groaned painfully.

-« Fuck you! Yeah, I have a fever, so what? ». He tried to scream with a scratchy voice.

-« Come on! I'll take you to the infirmary! ». I tried to seize his arm, but he pushed me away delicately.

-« I'm fine Ashley, nothing to worry about, I sweaaaAH...! ». He sneezed hard three times then, coughed loudly.

-« See? I'm fiaaaAH... ». He sneezed again, and I rolled my eyes.

-« Yeah, sure. So, if you're fine then, what's running from your nose? Honey? ». He raised an eyebrow looking at me confused, then spontaneously put his hand under his stuffy nose and wiped the snot in one move.

-« Don't know what you're talking about! ». He shrugged, sniffing.

-« You're disgusting! ». I rolled my eyes again, then got closer to him to wrap his arm around my neck and drag him to the door. He did not struggle this time.

-« You shouldn't have taken your jacket off to give it to me. Look at what a mess you're in now ».

-« I'm not your kid, you know?! ». I stuck my foot out to trip him up, and he gasped with surprise, almost falling if I didn't grab him tight.