Rain
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blood. teeth. saw. bone. bleach—
my eyes shoot open.
i sit up slowly and rub the dream out of my eyes. i look around at the plants and feel comfort knowing where i am. the sun has barely begun to rise and the birds chirp waiting for it to warm the earth. the clock on the wall reads 5:26.
i peak into Eddie's room and he's still sleeping soundly, his lips parted slightly. my phone begins to ring and I quickly step away as to not wake him.
"hello?"
"Hey, it's Bev. how's Eddie?"
"sleeping, he's doing okay i think."
"well I got to school early and the dean said Eddie is excused from all classes. he doesn't have to worry about doing anything online so make sure he chills out for the day. don't let him talk you into letting him do work or going out."
"and you expect me to say no to him how..?"
she laughs through the speaker, "i don't know but if i see him in class today he's gonna have more to worry about than a broken arm."
"i'll be sure to pass on the message."
the floorboard creeks and i look over to see Eddie rubbing his tired eyes in the hallway.
"hey i gotta go, let everyone knows he's doing okay."
"sure thing"
i hang up my phone and Eddie tilts his head at me, "where is your shirt?"
i look down and remember that i took my shirt off to sleep last night, "why? you like what you see?" i pose and put my hands on my hips making him laugh.
"oh come on, it got hot last night!"
Eddie shakes his head and goes into the kitchen.
"hey, hey wait!" i struggle to put my shirt back on as i follow him, "i'm your slave today, what do you need?"
"i can make tea on my own Richie" he sasses, going for the kettle until i snatch it from him and hold it above his head, "that's totally not fair."
"fair to me," i rebuttal, "now go sit, it's like impossible for me to fuck up tea."
he gives in and sits at the kitchen island, resting his chin in his hand as he watches me.
"where's your bandage?" i ask as i fill the kettle with water and place it on the stove
"i took it off, my cuts not bleeding anymore and it's making my head hurt worse."
i walk up to him and carefully move his bangs off his forehead to see the few stitches right below his hairline, "jeez, hopefully i gave him a few stitches in return." i grab the pills off the counter and hand him one of each. before i can grab him a glass of water he swallows them dry
"i hope i don't see him at school today."
"school?" i lean on the counter and he raises an eyebrow at me
"yes, school."
"no, school"
he frowns, "yes school."
"hmm," i pretend to think about it, "nope."
"i have to go, i have classes and i can't just sit around here all day!"
"Bev took care of it, and that's exactly what you're going to do."
he crosses his arms, "but i'll be bored."
