When in Italy

Chapter 4

We walked through the town, trying not to draw attention to ourselves until we got to the building. We walked upstairs and we both collapsed on the couch once we were inside. It was only 10 o’clock, so Lina and Daniela wouldn’t be home for a while. I turned my head and looked at Kyle. His eyes were shut and his breathing was heavy.

I started to stand up but could barely balance myself. Once I got it I walked into Lina’s bathroom, grabbed a bunch of paper towels, wet some of them, and grabbed some alcohol out of the cabinet. I went back into the living room and sat down next to Kyle. His jacket was already un zipped so I slowly pushed his back off the back of the couch and eased his jacket off.  As I reached for his arm to clean the cut, I saw blood and a cut in his shirt.

“Kyle, Kyle, wake up.” I said.

He opened his eyes and sighed.

“What?” he asked.

“Why didn’t you tell me he got your chest too?” I asked.

There was a cut running from a little under his breast and ran across his arm. He looked down then up at me.

“I didn’t want you to freak out.” He said quietly.

He seemed really weak.

“You didn’t want me to freak out? Kyle, do you know how serious this is? Take your shirt off.” I said.

“Why?” he asked.

“I have to clean it.” I said.

“No you don’t. I don’t want you to.” He said closing his eyes.

“I don’t care what you want me to do.” I said.

“Alex, just let me sleep.” He said.

I grabbed his face with both of my hands and turned it towards mine. His eyes opened and were filled with pain.

“Kyle Andrew Samuels, you are going to take your shirt off and let me help you. I don’t care if we don’t like each other, we’re still partners and I have to help you. Take it off, now.” I said.

He looked down at his lap then sighed. I let go of his face and he slowly took his shirt off. Right now I didn’t have time to be distracted by how hot his body was, but it was amazing. I took the wet towel and wiped away all the blood on his chest and arm. The whole time I did, he just studied my face.

“What?” I asked not looking up.

“I don’t get why you help me. Why you put up with me.” He said.

“You’re my partner, and I’ve known you almost my whole life. Even if we don’t like each other, you’re the closest thing I have to real family since my dad left. I can’t just leave you to suffer. I can’t lose anyone anymore.” I said.

I hadn’t really lost anyone, both of my parents are still alive but I haven’t seen either of them in 3 years. Sometimes it feels like I don’t have a family. Kyle looked down at me.

“So you really care about me?” he asked quietly.

I finished wiping away the blood and looked up at him.

“Of course I do, Kyle. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you.” I said.

It was true, Kyle was really the only person I had. He looked back into my eyes for a long time until I looked away. I grabbed the alcohol and poured some on a new set of paper towels.

“This might sting a little, ok?” I said.

He nodded, never looking away from me. I grabbed his wrist and held his arm down. I slowly wiped his scar and he winced. He shut his eyes and his body tensed up. I hurried and finished his arm then moved to his chest. When I was done, I wiped everything dry and sat next to him.