She

Chapter 36

There's a small knock on the bedroom door, Billie is fast asleep so I decide go check what's up. I pull on a robe and make my way to the door making sure not to work up Billie, the door creeks open and Jakob stands there holding his stomach. Something must be wrong if a teenage boy is seeking help from a parent, poor thing. I close the door behind me and place my hand on Jakob's bare shoulder, his temperature is through the roof.

"What's wrong?" He doesn't say anything apart from he gestures to his stomach, I guide him to the lounge and lay him down pumping the air conditioner. I grab a bucket and sit it next to him in case he needs to be sick, I wet a damp cloth and rest it on his head hoping to cool him down. "Want to watch a movie?" I decide that I should stay up with him, he's really not well.

"Yes please but Ryan you don't have to stay up with me, I'm sure I can take care of myself." He is so adorable, I flick on the movie channel and American pie is playing. I stand up and walk to the kitchen, I search for the medicine drawer to see if there's anything to settle his stomach but unfortunately there's nothing so I just end up grabbing him a glass of water. "Thank you."

"Do you want your dad? I've never been in this situation before, I've never actually parented anyone who is sick and I don't really know what to do." I lay on the couch opposite Jakob and watch the movie with him, he turns onto his side and faces me. I mirror his position so we can communicate better, his he wants to communicate.

"Ry, it's perfect. It's not weird to think that you're with my dad but it's weird the think that you could be my step mum because I always saw you as a sister but this, this means that no matter what you'll be there for me and I can't thank you more. You are my friend Ry, no matter what happens." He smiles but that soon replaced with a gag and Jakob clutching his stomach, he sits up with the bucket on his lap as he vomits the entirety of his stomach. I rush to his side and rub is back, I had him the water to wash out his mouth. "Lucky Chris didn't end up coming tonight." He chuckles trying to make the best of it.

"Or sage." I wink at him and his eyes open wide. I hadn't brought it up with him yet, I know it's so embarrassing for him but the kids growing up and he needs to know that his dad and I don't mind. I love Jakob so I want him to be safe, especially in the bedroom.

"Ah yeah Sage." Jakob shutters, he scratched the back of his neck suddenly not making any eye contact. I laugh resting my head on his shoulder trying to comfort him, he's goes all tense and nervous. Poor kid think I'm going to judge.

"It's cool that you have a lady friend, your dad didn't mind so next time don't make the poor girl sneak out. She was mortified when she ran into me, just be honest with us and be safe." I take the bucket out of his hand and sit it on the floor, I grab the blanket of the back of the sofa and drap it over Jakob's bare back. "Feeling any better?"

"A little. Maybe Sage can come for dinner one night this week." A small shy grin appeared on Jakob's face, he really likes this girl. "Would you be able to cook for us?" Being in a house of boys all time I get to show off my motherly skills, ever since I was young I had to learn how to take care of myself because my parents weren't around much. When I wasn't partying I was her cooking and cleaning for the boys, sewing up their clothes and customising their stuff when they wanted some edge. I love it.

"Of course, let me know what you want to be cooked and I'll do it." I give Jakob a quick hug before standing up, I take Jakob's bucket and head for the back door. The automatic lights flicker on and I grab the hose, sitting the bucket in the middle of the lawn I turn on the hose and wash it out. I keep my distance not wanting it all over me, I hear the door open and close and Jakob walks up beside me. "You should stay inside, don't want you anymore sick."

"You didn't have to do this Ry, I could empty it out myself." He just stands there watching me, I turn off the hose and pick up the bucket shaking left over out of it. I hand it to Jakob but all he does is place it on the ground and hug me like he's never hugged me before. He's about the same height as me, he holds me tight and I rest my head on his shoulder. We stand there for a few minute before Jakob breaks the silence. "You'll be a good mum, not even my own mum would do this for me." He generally lets go but before I could reply I hurt a scream and Jakob and I bolt inside.

"RYAN." My heart races as Billie scream my name, I can hear the pain in his voice and it panic. I run to the bedroom but he isn't there, I go into worried mode and search the house like crazy but than I hear loud sobbing from the basement. The doors open and I run fast down the stairs with Jakob right behind me, Billie is curled up in the corner with blue beside him. I take Billie in my arms and hold him. "I-I-I thought you left again." He can barely even make a proper sentence.

"Shhhh, it's ok I'm here. I'm not going anywhere, shhhh. It's ok, it's ok Billie."