Your Greatest Mistake

Chapter Nine

Riley's POV

So at this point it has been about a week and a few days since I took Niall back. Last night I didn't feel that well, so Niall tucked me in early, said goodbye to my parents, and left. I woke up feeling like crap. My throat hurt from swallowing my own saliva. My head ached and throbbed. And my nose was stuffy and red. Oh and let's not forget the constant sneezing, coughing, and the congestion that comes along with the stuffy nose. My mom called the doctor and from what she told him, I have the flu. I heard my phone ring. Niall was calling.

"Good morning love." Niall said happily.

"Good morning." I said, except it sounded more like Gud Bornink.

"Oh, well you don't sound much better." He said worried.

"I have the flu." I said.

"I'll be over to take care of you in a few." Niall said.

"No, I don't want you to get sick." I protested.

"Be there in a few, bye." He said.

I put my phone down and rolled my eyes. He always got his way. My parents left for work and now I was here alone waiting for Niall. I put my head back down on the pillow. I had to stay awake for him. About fifteen minutes later, I heard the doorbell ring. I somehow dragged myself out of bed and down the stairs. I opened the door and saw Niall standing there with a brown paper bag and a big smile.

"Soup for the sicky." He chuckled.

"Thanks." I said with a forced smile which soon retreated due to a brief coughing fit.

He stared at me with concern.

"You sound a lot worse than you did on the phone." He said.

"Oh." I responded.

"You're very pale love." He said.

I frowned. Was I really that sick to be fussed over? He put his hand to my forehead. His hand was cool and made me shiver.

"You're burning up love. Let's take your temperature." He said.

We walked upstairs to the bathroom. He retrieved the thermometer from the top shelf of the medicine cabinet because I was too short to reach it. I stuck it under my tongue and waited until it beeped. He pulled it out and read it. Worry spread across his face once again.

"Geez!" He exclaimed.

"What?" I asked.

I grabbed the thermometer out of his hands and read my temperature off of it. 102.1... Wow. I guess I am pretty sick.

"You need to lay down, now." He commanded.

I began to protest, but I was stopped by a few sneezes and another coughing fit that caused me to double over. The next thing I knew, I was being cradled in Niall's arms and being carried to my bed. He plopped me down and put the blanket over me. I patted the area next to me, guesturing for him to come sit next to me. He sighed and hopped onto the bed next to me.

"You need sleep." He stated.

"No." I said.

"Do you always have to be so stubborn?" He asked.

"Yes." I said.

He sighed and then chuckled. He ran his fingers through my hair and smiled.

"Deja vú." I said.

"Huh?" He responded.

"About a two or three years ago wasn't it the opposite of this? Me taking care of you?" I asked.

"Oh yeah! Gosh, I was so sick! And you never left my side. You blew off two parties to stay with me." He said.

"Did you have mono?" I asked.

"Yes I did. And killer allergies. Everytime I sneezed I thought I had sprained my throat." He laughed.

"Oh my gosh, yeah! I remember that. I felt so bad cause you were literally crying from the pain and I didn't know how to help." I said.

A shade of pink crept onto his face and he laughed.

"Didn't you get it a few days after I was feeling better?" He asked.

"Yeah I did! And my parents were going on that cruise with my brother and sister! And you told them to go and you slept over for about a week and a half to keep an eye on me." I exclaimed.

"Yes. Oh my gosh that was such a great week! Waking up to you everyday, getting to be with you when I slept. Well when I did sleep. I never wanted to sleep, just in case you needed me." He admitted.

I smiled. I grabbed for a tissue, knowing I was about to be thrown into a sneezing fit. I turned away from him and released about eleven sneezes without stopping. I laid back and took a breath. I had to catch my breath.

"You alright? Asthma still as bad as ever?" He asked.

"Yeah, I'm alright. And actually no. It really hasn't acted up in a while. But I wouldn't doubt it would today. With all the coughing and sneezing." I said.

He got up and walked over to the shelf. He reached behind the Mickey Mouse snow globe and grabbed my inhaler. He walked back to the bed and placed it next to me.

"Just in case." He said.

"Thanks." I said.

He moved closer to me and grabbed my icy cold hand.

"Lay with me?" I asked.

He shook his head. I laid on my side and faced the wall. He was right behind me. His arm was around me and our hands were still interlocked. I only stayed awake for a few more minute before completely slipping into a long sleep.