My Second kiss

Chapter 15

Chapter Fifteen

Jess sneezed and wiped his nose with a tissue. He was lying in bed still, but he was well enough by the afternoon to see visitors-or at least to see me. "What is that supposed to mean?"

"It means that everyone talks about you, everyone knows you, and everyone likes you."

Jess sniffed again and let out a horse sounding laugh. "What, Drew knows two people who know who I am, and suddenly I'm a household name?"

"You're popular. And you can't deny it."

Jess ignored me and steered the conversation another way. "How's the situation with Drew and Trace? Have you given her any killer advice yet of how to get him to notice her?" Jess relaxed into his pillow and then added, "How do you get yourself into these situations?"

"I don't think I have to worry about Trace anymore." I pulled on the rubber of my sole, and it finally snapped off. "I think she has a new crush." I looked at Jess, who still looked pale and clammy. "You." I waited for Jess's response, nervous that he would be happy to know that Drew liked him.

Jess scrunched his face. "Perfect. Is there a dance coming up soon? You could talk her into asking me to waltz."

I threw a pillow at Jess's face. "I thought I was doing you a favor."

Jess laughed behind the pillow, and then his laugh turned into a series of raspy coughs.

"I'm sorry you're sick," I said guiltily. "I'm the one that should be sick."

"I'm just glad you're not at the bottom of the lake," he said with a serious tone when he caught his breath.

"Yeah, that was pretty dumb of me."

"Just promise me one thing." Jess patted my knee as he closed his eyes and held onto his head with the other hand.

His touch sent a million flutters up my spine. I looked at him, waiting for the one thing I was silently promising.

"Next time you want my attention, don't try to kill yourself. I kind of like having you around."