Missed Call

IV. Red Nose Reindeer

The smell of coffee manages to make its way through my clogged nostrils. My nose is like Rudolph's but I need to meet up with Cain for some reference books.

I'm waiting in a cafe inside his university. The heat from the cup sends me comfort through my hands that are wrapped around it. Sighing at the sensation, I carefully lift it for a sip.

"Hi." A low voice surprisingly greets me directly in my left ear making me jolt in my seat. And as a result the coffee scalds my tongue.

The culprit made his way to the chair in front of me, laughing, as I stick my tongue out like a dog. I glared to make Dom stop, "At least say sorry, moron!" My words came out muffled due to my tongue sticking out and my colds which made him happier than he was before.

In a split second he changed into his straight face expression. He hands me a tumbler from his bag.

"Cold coke." Unconsciously, I drank from his tumbler with my tongue visibly first, obviously desperate to get rid of the searing pain.

His lips curve slightly to the right forming a smirk, "I never seen anyone makes drinking coffee and coke so... sexual."

After another gulp of the coke, I sneeze. My head became heavy after sneezing. I rest my head against the table, sniffing, "Shut up, heart."

"Is that our endearment?" I still can imagine his cocky smile even without looking, his tone reflecting how proud he is with his creative comeback from my supposed-to-be insult. Although I decide not to answer back, it will only elongate our bickering and my head can't take it.

Noticing the silence, Dom moves his chair closer to me. We are again engaged in another staring contest.

"You look sick." A chuckle rise from my throat, I don't know if he's slow or just like to state the obvious. Bottom line is, he's a moron.

I felt his hand on my forehead and not long I'm being held up from my chair. "Let's go home," he says with full authority leaving no chance to argue.

"Air!" I hear Cain call after me when we step out of the cafe, I tug on Dom's shirt and told him to wait for a while.

Cain runs toward us. My strength to stand is gradually decreasing that Dom wraps his arm around my waist tighter to keep me still.

"What do you need? I need to take her home fast." I notice Cain take a step back and move his eyes from Dom to me.

He shakes his head, "I'm sorry Air. I got held back by one of my prof." Before I could take the book he is handing, Dom already snatched it.

"We'll go now." Dom announces as we walk to his ride. I sneeze again.

I felt too weak to speak. I made it a mental note to thank Cain when I recover.