This Year is My Year

No Sleep and The Best Medicine

I hated being sick. I especially hated being sick when my mom wasn't home.

My room was spinning – I tried to focus on my Weird Al Yankovic poster. I shouldn't have done that shot with Eddie (even though it was really cool that he asked me to do one). I rolled onto my side, wincing as the spins consumed me.

Whenever I was sick, I would go to my mom's room, and she would always know how to make me feel better – whether it was hot tea, or Pepto Bismol, or an ice pack. But since Aunt Cheri had gotten sicker, and Y/N was home to watch me, she was spending weeks at a time taking care of her. It was cool that I had more independence, but it was times like this, when the room was spinning, and I had thrown up on Eddie's shoes that I missed her.

I thought back to my first party, smiling at the different moments of the night. It was cool – especially when those seniors laughed at my jokes, and when Y/N punched Jason in the face. Jason was so angry – he was so obsessed with Y/N's approval, and often brought her up when he tortured me.

"I can't believe a dork like you is related to Y/N Henderson – what an embarrassment." He would often get laughs before spitting on me. "No wonder she tried to get as far away as she could from you."

I never told Y/N those stories – that would have made her end her trip and come back early (probably to kill Jason). So, it was incredibly satisfying to watch her sock him right in the nose, and the cherry on top was Eddie throwing him out.

I hated that Lucas was on the basketball team, and I hated that Jason used him to get to me. I didn't understand why Lucas had decided to join the basketball team – Hellfire was obviously the better option for friends, and Eddie always protected us.

A wave of nausea came over me and I sat up. I didn't want to be alone.

I quietly exited my room, steadying myself by holding onto the walls. I padded through the hallway, passing by all my sleeping friends in the living room. The white screen illuminated all of them – Mike and Lucas practically spooning each other, Gareth snoring in the armchair my dad always loved. I noticed Cristina and Robin sleeping close to one another, Robin's arm around Cristina. Helena was draped over Steve – I smiled because I knew he was intentionally in an uncomfortable position to be close to her. He would be sore in the morning, whining about pains in his neck.

I stopped in front of Y/N's door, wondering if she would be upset that I was waking her up. My head started spinning again and I decided to knock.

I opened the door slowly, peering around the door. Eddie was sitting up, rubbing his eyes. He was shirtless – I made a face, as I did not want to think about the two of them in that context. He squinted at me, his face softening when he realized it was me.

"Hey, little one," he whispered, going to the floor and grabbing a shirt. He pulled it on quickly, shifting to the edge of the bed. Y/N was sleeping on her stomach, snoring quietly. "What's up?"

I was suddenly embarrassed – I didn't want Eddie to make fun of me. I looked at my feet.

"I, um...I don't, uh..." I was whispering, trying not to wake Y/N up. Eddie stood, coming closer to me.

"What's up, little one? You feel alright?" I looked back down to my feet, embarrassed again. I should just suck it up.

"No, I don't. And I don't like being alone when I don't feel good."

"No worries, bud, I understand," Eddie patted my shoulder. He looked over at Y/N. "How about I go hang out with you in your room for a bit? That way we can let Y/N sleep. And we can talk Hellfire Club."

I smiled up at Eddie.

"You sure? I know that you and Y/N like, you know, staying together—"