His Little Smoker

16| Nourishment

Larson

I stood in the medication aisle looking for the specific medication I came here for. "Do you need help sir?"

"No." I responded not taking my eyes off the labels in front of me. Four eyes would be better than two, but I was already close to finding it on my own. "Thanks."

"You're welcome Counselor Hottie." I jumped the voice so close that their breath hit my ear. The girl stepped back quickly, missing my flying reflex arm.

I took a deep breath calming myself before turning around. It was Ms. Gil, the same student that came to my office with a fake eating disorder. I pointed, "Seriously what is wrong with you?" She only smiled and I cleared my throat, my heart still beating wildly in my chest, "Stay away from me."

I glanced at the counter and my eyes settled on the medication I came for. I snatched it and walked out of the aisle. Every school year it's always some creep. I wonder where her parents are...if she had any. I turned the corner and bumped into someone's cart, "Larson."

It was Coach Hall, he was wheeling around with groceries and a small kid. My eyebrows raised for a moment, "Coach Hall I didn't know you had a..." My eyes gestured towards his kid and he chuckled.

"Yeah, she's sometimes out on the field with me." He ruffled with her hair and she slapped his arm away. "You seem like you're in a hurry, I'll let you go."

I shook my head, "Not at all, some student got the jump on me in the medicine aisle. She was like..." I described her proximity using my hand, "This close."

Hall laughed and crossed his arms, "There's always some buzz about you during my classes, half of them are running while the other half are running their mouths about you. Your good looks have certainly charmed majority of the students." I exhaled putting my hands on my hips, "I heard some of them even going as far as faking an illness to see you, some sick.." He covered his kid's ears, "Shit."

"Oh yeah I met one, I wish they were the type to spend money or give me money." I chuckled to myself, "Now that is something I can get used to."

Coach Hall nudged me smiling, "Larson you're sick."

His kid looked up at me then her Dad, "He doesn't look like it, he looks perfectly healthy to me Dad."

Coach Hall mumbled, "No Persephone I did mean it like that I meant in the way..." I gave Hall a pat on his back signaling that I was leaving, "Alright Larson."

"Get home safe Hall." I picked a few more things before heading over to checkout. I placed my items on the belt before looking up at the cashier, "Hey aren't you Mal—Ms. Jones's friend...uhhh..." I held onto the uhh as she scanned the items, "I'm drawing a blank."

"Summer." She responded and was obviously biting down a laugh, "It's okay, I don't think we've ever properly introduced ourselves." She clicked a few buttons, "Your total is 25.06 Mr. Larson."

I paid for my items, "Thank you Summer."

She handed me the receipt, "No I should be thanking you, I now get a paycheck." I took it and chuckled preparing to leave, "Oh and Mr. Larson..." I looked back at her and she smiled, "Mali's lucky to have you."

"As I am to have her, have a good day." I left the grocery store and headed home.

I opened the door and walked in to find Victor wrapped in covers alone on the couch. I gently put down the items before coming to his side. When I left he was just starting to give signs of a fever. Now his nose was bright red and runny, and his body was hot. "Hey where's Mom bud?" I removed some layers of the covers, "I know it's cold, but I have to get rid of some."