Melted

Chapter 15

When I woke up in the morning, I wanted to take Peter's disgusting, dirty sweatshirt off. Unfortunately for me, all I was wearing underneath was my bra, which I was sure my brother didn't want to see. And I forgot a change of clothes. Still, even though I was repelled by the fact that I had been sitting in Peter's filthy clothes, it still smelled good.

Richie was already awake when I crawled out of the recliner and sat next to his bed, even though he was probably up all night. He knew where I had gotten my sweatshirt. I felt humiliated that my brother knew I basically said Peter smelled good. No one would ever think that sweat, cheap cologne, cheese fries, and salt water would smell good. Apparently I loved the smell, which meant I loved the smell of Peter. That did not mean I loved him, though.

"What's for breakfast?" I asked, staring up at the TV screen. I was surprised to see the news on instead of some sort of gory cop show.

"I ordered some French toast sticks and yogurt. They won't let me have coffee, so you're going to have to go down to the cafeteria," Richie answered. I sighed and stood up. The nurses wanted to monitor his food intake, so they probably wouldn't want me eating his breakfast. It would be better to just get breakfast while I was down there. I grabbed my wallet and left to get some food in my stomach.

The cafeteria was buzzing with people that looked just like me; messy hair in a bun, comfy clothes, and bags under their eyes. For once, I didn't feel like a total outsider. I grabbed a yogurt, an apple, and filled up the biggest coffee cup I could find. I loved my brother to death, but I still wasn't sure if sleeping in that uncomfortable chair was worth it.

I had just enough money in my pocket to pay for breakfast. Lucky Richard, his meal was free. Part of me was tempted to stay to eat. Maybe I could even try to mingle. Everyone seemed just like me. Sure, they weren't in the same exact situation, but they could relate. I was sure I wasn't the only one that found the chair uncomfortable. But I was there for Richie. I walked back to his room to eat breakfast.

"I can't believe they charge $3.50 for this crappy coffee. I meant at least it's-" I started as I walked into the room. I set my food down on the small tray table next to Richie's breakfast. That's when I turned around and saw Peter sitting in the incredibly uncomfortable recliner.

"What the hell?" I screamed, clutching my chest. He nearly made me wet my pants. What was Peter doing here?

"Peter decided to stop by and see how I was doing. I had no idea he was coming. It was a friendly surprise," Richard explained. Sure. He had no idea Peter was coming while I was wearing his sweatshirt. And not to mention I looked like crap, and until I had coffee in me, I felt like it too.

"Hey," Peter said softly, "Nice sweatshirt." I reached to pull it off, but then remembered I wasn't wearing anything underneath. Then I recalled the last time I tried to change discreetly in front of him. Ew.

"Yeah, um, it was just sitting on my bed so I threw it on," I murmured. I didn't really need to explain myself. Peter didn't care why I was wearing his sweatshirt.

"You forgot to mention the fact that you think it smells good even though it smells like something died in it," Richie whispered to me. I thought it would be quiet enough that Peter couldn't hear, but that hospital room was small.

"You thought it smelled good?" Peter questioned with a laugh. I felt my cheeks go red. I should've smacked Richie.

"I like the smell of your cologne," I admitted, looking away. Peter laughed again, but softer. His eyes were melting into pools of adorableness.

"Okay, you two can continue your love fest outside of my room. Please, I can't leave this bed and I don't want to watch you guys get down and dirty," Richard teased. This time I did smack him. He totally deserved it for that last comment.