I hacked and coughed repeatedly, laying on my bed feeling like death. I had a bad cold, the worst part is I have no one to come and feed me soup, or rub my head until I fell asleep,...well except Ms. Peterson, my next door neighbor.
She was an older, strong willed lady with soft hands and a kind voice, but she wasn't the best cooker.
Soups upon soups packed upon my bedroom dresser that I refused to eat, I made an excuse telling her that I was too sick now and she couldn't come in anymore. I am regretting that now, I have to pee and I really need help getting to the restroom.
You can do this Jake, just wal-
"Uggghhhhh."
I fell face first unto the carpet, bumping full force into the dresser on my way down, knocking the cold soups all over my body.
"Hello, Jake are you in there,...I mean obviously you're there, but are you okay? My grandm- well Ms.Peterson told me to check on you." The voice coming from my hall was unfamiliar to me, his voice was deep and soft with a boyish edge.
"Who's there?" I replied cautiously.
"I'm the mailman, I'm glad you are okay."
Barely.
I tried to get up to no avail, the bowls clanking against my body as I fell back unto the carpet floor. I groaned as my weak body succumbed to darkness, so tired.
***
I awoke with a start, feeling a hand caress my head gently. I leaned my hand in towards the feeling, opening my eyes completely to see a boy with large doe brown eyes staring at me. I leaped up, planting my body against my headboard.
"You are?" I asked, cringing slightly at the way my voice croaked.
"Oh, I'm sorry," he bowed his head slightly, "I'm Barry, the mailman."
"I'm Barry particular about who comes into my apartment,.....but you're Barry handsome so I will let it pass." I smiled meekly at my puns, winking dramatically at the new mailman, even sick, I still had to get my corniness out. He smiled shyly, a warm blush setting upon his cheeks.
"I'm really sorry I came into your apartment, I know it was probably really creepy for you to wake up to a unknown man in your home. I'm Ms. Peterson's Grandson, so she just gave me your key, I should have made sure with you before I came in and for that, I apologize." He said softly, his innocent brown eyes cast low to his lap.
I lifted his chin slightly, "How old are you?"
He bit his lip, looking me in the eye, "19."
"A bit young to my 26, but you're gorgeous."
He blushed wildly again, a red tint filling his cheeks. He was even more beautiful like that.
"I wish I could kiss you." He mumbled. I laughed a little making his eyes widen in embarrassment, "Woah there Barry. We just met." I joked.
He shook his head, furrowing up his cute button nose, "I've had a crush on you since I was 16."
"16?" I was shooked to say the least. I don't remember him, and I think I would have. I searched my brain analysing any significant moments I've had in my life because if I had seen him before, I highly doubt I would have forgotten him. Then I realized...
"You're the boy that spit out your juice on Ms.Patterson at that birthday party!" I shot up with my finger in the air like I solved the greatest mystery. I began to laugh.
"Hey," he smacked my arm lightly, "It was your fault, your...uh, your..., jeans looked.....nice."
"My jeans looked nice as in you like Levi Strauss or my jeans looked nice as in you could care less about what brand of pants I had on?" I teased.
"You know the answer." He looked down again, blushing cutely.
"I want to hear you say it." I smiled, lifting up his head once again, making him look me in the eye. Before I could move my hand back, he grasped it in his, playing with my fingers but still looking up at me.
"I definitely could care less about the brand you had on." He bit his bottom lip and I watched, mesmerized as the color changed from a light pink to a darker one.
I groaned, leaning back, "It fucking sucks that I am sick." I tightened my grip on his hand, leaning back against the headboard, closing my eyes.
"Uhm. I know my grandma isn't the best cook...I could make you some more soup if you'd like?"
I open my eyes slowly, "Are you always this sweet? You are literally perfect."
His cute cheeks warm up and he tilts his head down again, "I wouldn't say perfect," he whispers, "It's the end of my shift, I'll make you soup after I get changed at my grandma's. Okay?"
I smile at him, "Okay, Barry."
"Don't try and get up without my help, okay?"
If possible my smile grows wider, he is too sweet for his own good, "Okay, Barry. I promise."
He seems satisfied with my answer because he begins to get up, as he does I grab his hand and pull him closer to me. "I'm sorry I can't kiss you like I want, but this will have to do."
I bend his head to my lips gently and kiss the top of his forehead. His eyes are closed when he leans back up, "That was so much better than any lip kiss I have ever had."
"I am barry glad we had the same thought."
***
Mmm, how long has it been? Yikes. Lol thanks for all the comments and likes and whatnot, I'll try and do better. I can't believe I am a college freshman now like where'd the time gooooo???? I'll try and be a regular poster, I missed writing for fun all these years. 😢. Again if y'all have any ideas or want something in particular let me know.
