Too Young

Ch 4.1 (How It Happened)

I shifted in my bed, burning up. This fever was killing me, and it wasn't even that warm inside the apartment. Jay was lying on his back with a soft breathing rhythm, his chest slowly rising and falling. I could barely see him in the darkness, but the moon shined through he window just enough to make him visible. I closed my eyes and tried to fall asleep, but my stomach was churning and becoming tense. My throat felt dry as sand and it hurt when I swallowed.

Feeling paranoid in the dark despite Jay's distant presence, I tried to calm myself. My nerves were already on edge. But then I heard a bang, probably from another apartment. I jumped a mile and sat straight up, my heart pounding.

"Hey," Jay sat up slowly as I stared out the window. "What's wrong?"

"I can't sleep," I told him. "I just want to sit somewhere other than in bed."

"All right," Jay sifts one hand through his hair and sighs. "You want to move to the couch?"

I slipped off the bed and grabbed my sweatpants and tank top from the floor. I slipped them on and grab a blanket from the corner. "You can stay. I'm just not feeling well." I walked into the living room and fell onto the couch.

Jay walked in carrying a pillow and a heavier blanket. He tossed the pillow at me and lied down behind me on the sofa. He wrapped his arm around me and kissed the corner of my shoulder and neck.

He sighed in relaxation and rubbed his fingertips up and down my arm. "This couch . . ."

"Mmm-hmm." Now in a cooler room and closer to Jay with the curtains drawn I felt more comfortable. I closed my eyes and drifted off into sleep almost right away.

...

My eyes slowly opened, the bright sun almost blinding. I rolled over to face Jay and my headache faded in the darkness of his close chest blocking the sun.

"How'd you sleep?" Jay asked quietly with an almost raspy-morning voice.

"Fine once I came out here."

We lied there for a minute before Jay raised his head and rested it on his hand. He smiled down at me but I just watched him. His smile was soothing, and his close presence was comforting. He moved a strand of messy waves from my face and kissed me.

Since I was lying down, I couldn't pull away. I waited for him to, then cleared my throat quietly. "Jay, I'm sick."

"You have a fever," he corrected, kissing me again. He rested a hand on my shoulder to pull himself away from me. "We should probably get up now or we'll never leave."

I sat up and rubbed my head. "I need to shower."

He stood up from the couch and kissed me once more before helping me up and falling back down onto the couch lazily.

I smiled at him, glancing at his toned abs and admiring his smile. I went into the bathroom and took a shower. I dried my hair and curled it loosely as I usually do, before slipping into purposely-torn jeans and a black T-shirt.

When I came out Jay had only switched into his black jeans and nothing else. He flipped an egg on a frying pan, not noticing me yet.

I walked behind him and wrapped my arms around him, resting my cheek on his back. He chuckled and flipped the egg again, causing it to sizzle more. Strangely, the scent of the egg increased my nausea. Usually I'd enjoy the smell, but it bothered my stomach.

"Made you coffee," he said, pointing the spatula to the counter where two cups of coffee sat. I inched over to his side so he could turn his head. I thanked him and we kissed for for slightly longer than I intended before I went to drink my coffee.

After about ten minutes of breakfast Jay slipped on a black T-shirt and a black leather jacket. He put on his heavy duty black shoes and I put on mine.

"How are you feeling?" Jay asked, taking my hand as we walked to the vehicle.

"Now, sort of nauseous. I'm sure it'll fade once I get some fresh air."

"Yeah," he agrees. "I'm sure it's nothing."