Heartbreaker [Ryden] [BOOK ONE]

- thirteen -

Remember how I stayed out late at night in the cold? Yeah? Well, thanks to nature being a son of a bitch, I ended up catching a fucking cold. The only thing benefit I got from catching a cold was not only spending more time with Brendon, but getting out of school claiming to be sick. 

And by spending time with Brendon, I mean I forced him to take a day off to spend time with me. And by spend time with me, I mean I made him do everything. Make me food, fluff my pillows, buy me tissues, everything. 

It was Tuesday, April tenth. In two days, Brendon would be an official adult, and here I was sick as a dog. Although I still had plans conjured up for his birthday. I wasn't gonna let a little cold stop me from playing the part of a good boyfriend. I took birthday's seriously, especially special birthday's, like the sixteenth, thirteenth, or eighteenth. 

"Brendon.." I whined, my voice hoarse from coughing. I had set up my base, as I called it, at my grandma's house. I basically lived on her couch, which meant Brendon basically lived with me. I was curled up in one corner of the couch, a pillow supporting me as I leaned against the couch arm, and a blanket tucked tightly around me. 

All around me, littering the floor and any exposed area, were mounds of tissues, cookies, and mugs. I was being pissy that morning, and forced Brendon to watch Aladdin. He was curled up on the other side of the couch, but at the sound of his name, he perked up and turned towards me. 

"Yeah?" He asked. "I want more cookies," I demanded, tugging a tissue out of the box to blow my nose. Brendon gave me a distasteful look. I could tell he was already fed up with his job of keeping me sane- the worst part about being a boyfriend. 

"...and what do you want me to do about it?" He shrugged, looking back at the movie. It was at the part where Jasmine and Aladdin flew through the air on a magic carpet. I huffed at him.

"Make some." I decided, breathing slowly out of my mouth. Brendon gave me a sharp look over his shoulder, raising an eyebrow. 

"Do I have to?" He complained. I sniffled, ripping a tissue from the box to wipe my nose. I stared at him for a few seconds before continuing.

"Do you want to live to see the stars tonight?" I asked. Answer a question with a question. It took him a few seconds, but Brendon soon got what I meant by the threat, and jumped to his feet. 

"I'll be back in a few." He murmured, pulling his keys from his pocket. I frowned, pushing the blanket off to pathetically reach out and tug him back by the wrist. 

"No, I want cookies made here, not purchased from the store.." I whined. Brendon's shoulder slumped. He tucked the keys back in his pocket and stepped back towards me, lifting me to my feet in one swift movement. 

"Wha-?" I began. "If you want home-made cookies, than you're gonna help me make them. Do you really think I can cook?" Brendon snorted under his breath, rolling his eyes. I huffed, sticking my bottom lip out in a pout.

"Alright.." I reluctantly agreed, sniffling again. Brendon slid his hand down my arm, to intertwine with my hand. I smiled warily, stumbling after him as he began to pull me towards the kitchen.

"What kind?" Brendon asked.

"Chocolate chip," I said, easily deciding. Before Brendon could shake me off him, I wiped my nose on his shoulder, snickering. Brendon retaliated with a cry of disgust. "Ryan!" I giggled softly, plastering an innocent smile upon my lips. Brendon rolled his eyes, digging through the cabinets for a box of cookie mix.

As he did that, I clomped over to the fridge to tug out the gallon of milk, eggs, and then trailed around the kitchen collecting any other ingredients. I let Brendon do most of the work, I didn't want to cough or sneeze any mucus over the stuff.