Vivi

Chapter 35

Ivy

"Eat," my mom orders while shoving a spoon full of soup in my face.

"I can do that myself, mom."

Taking the spoon and bowl from her hands, I sniffle earning me a sympathetic look.

"It's just a head cold. I don't even have a fever," I argue with myself.

"I've got comedies out the ass. And I bought you strawberry ice cream for your throat," Dean states as he strolls into my bedroom and plops down on my bed.

With a sigh I accept the fact that I'm going to be babied into recovery by these two.

During the opening credits of our third comedy the doorbell rings.

"I'll get it," Dean says as he pushes up off the bed.

Mom and I don't bother pausing the movie. Dean left my bedroom door open, so we hear the front door open and Deans low voice.

"It's probably Riley. She said she had some sort of herbal tea for head colds," I explain to my mom just before we hear a different deep voice.

We share a confused look.

"I know Riley's not exactly super feminine, but," my mom jokes.

"Tate maybe? Dean's friend," I guess.

The voices that flow through the hallway continue to get louder.

"They sound like they're fighting," mom states as she pauses the movie to eavesdrop.

"Just shut up and take it."

Dean scoffs at the order.

"Oh shit," I exclaim, recognizing the voice.

I swing my feet out of bed and practically slide into the living room because I'm wearing socks and we have hard wood floors.

"Hey, how do you feel?" River asks as Dean snatches a bag out of his hands.

"Horrible," I answer while my eyes dart between him and the bag that Dean now holds.

"Decaf black tea and honey. It's what my mom shoves down my throat when I'm sick," River explains.

"Oh," I respond, not knowing what else to say.

"The bickering stopped," Mom chokes on her words when she rounds the corner and sees River. 

"Hi, Mrs. Myles. Sorry, to bother you," River greets.

"Oh, you're no bother."

I finally snap out of my foggy state (I blame the cold) and invite River inside. Dean doesn't look happy, but he steps aside to let him in.

"So, what are you visiting for?" Mom asks.

"He brought me a care package," I answer for River before turning to him. "Thank you by the way. I don't know why I didn't say it before." Once again, I blame the cold.

"You're welcome," River replies with a slight tilt of his head and a small smile.

I probably look hideous and sound ridiculous.

"That was very nice of you," my mom gushes. 

Dean crosses his arms and rolls his eyes.

"It was no problem."

"We were just watching movies. Do you want to watch one with us?" I ask.

"Umm," River says with furrowed eyebrows. "I don't want to intrude. I was just going to leave the bag on your doorstep actually, but the lights were out so I wanted to make sure you were home."