The Virus : Strain Z

chapter 5

After sitting in my room for awhile I decided to go downstairs to get a drink and see what was on. As I passed Lux's room he poked his head out. ''What's up?'' he asked with a worried look on his face. ''Nothing, just going to watch tv for awhile, wanna come?'' I offered.

He answered by following me and kicking back on the couch. I flipped the tv on and started surfing the channels. I stopped on the nature channel. "I hope you don't mind. Maybe it'll help me to relax. It usually does." I told him apologetically. "I'm fine with it, I actually like this channel" he chuckled softly. It was something about a family of monkeys. I was about to sit on the recliner when Lux spoke up

''Please come sit with me?'' he asked quietly. As I sat down he put his arm around my shoulder and hugged me.''I'm glad you and your family was home Salia. I don't know what I would have done if I was stuck here without someone I knew'' he said. After awhile he fell asleep, arm still wrapped around my shoulders. I was ready to go to bed but couldn't free myself without disturbing him, I shook him gently and softly told him it was time to go to bed. As he stretched I saw the hair that led from his chest to his waist. I'd never thought anything about that before but now, all the sudden it was fascinating. He caught me watching him and I blushed, hurriedly stood up and went to the kitchen.

I stood at the sink wondering why I suddenly felt this way about Lux. What exactly was I feeling I questioned myself. I turned away from the sink and saw Lux standing in the doorway. "Are you ok?" he asked concerned. I asurred him I was fine and that I was just a little tired. I went to pass him and tripped over my own two feet. 'Oh the humiliation, let me just disappear' I thought to myself as I felt my face start burning with embarrassment. Lux quickly scooped me up and carried me to the couch where he gently set me down. He leaned over me adjusting the pillows and I couldn't help but notice his muscles and the hair line that disappeared past his pants. All I wanted to do was trace it with my fingers. Then the rational part of my brain snapped me out if it.

What was I thinking?!? This was my best friends brother, I couldn't go gaga for him and risk losing Tara! 'Get your head on straight Salia!' I mentally scolded myself. As I finished my inner tirade Lux straightened up.

"There, that should be comfy. Lean back & relax" he told me while gently pushing me backwards. I complied and we went back to watching t.v. This time it was about Ocean Life. I loved watching the dolphins care for their young and old alike. They were so careful not to swim to fast and leave the older ones behind and would push a calf to the surface to breath.

I started to drift off and jumped when I felt someone shaking my shoulder. "Hey we need to get you to bed Sals. Come on, put your arm around my neck. I'll carry you" he said as he bent down to scoop me up. My fingers immediately buried themselves in his thick wonderful hair as I snuggled against his broad warm chest. He easily swept me up and trotted up the stairs like it was nothing and gently set me down in my bed before turning to go.

"Please don't leave" I said, immediately realizing I'd spoken aloud. I slapped my hands over my mouth, my face burning with embarrassment. I quickly hid under my covers hoping for a easy retreat. Unfortunately Lux pulled the blanket off my face and sat down beside me, propping his feet up and leaning back against my headboard. I peeked out between my fingers at him. He just looked down at me before wrapping an arm around me and pulling me against him and relaxing.

"I'll stay right here as long as you need me to Sals. I swear it." he said quietly staring down at my upturned face. He placed a kiss on my forehead and pulled me closer to him.

I then realized he'd been calling me by a nickname I'd never heard before. "Why are you calling me Sals?" I asked quietly,not wanting to ruin the moment.

"I don't know. I just thought I needed a nickname for you that only I would use. I'll stop if you don't like it" he assured me. I told him it was ok, that I kinda liked it. But in reality I loved it and the fact he gave me a nickname only he would use!

I snuggled against him already drifting off to the soothing sounds of his breathing and rhythmic heartbeat. At one time I halfway woke up and he'd laid down and put his arm over my waist and pulled me closer against him. But ever the gentleman he'd covered me up with my blanket and he'd stayed on top with only a lightweight throw over him. I smiled as I fell back asleep.

By the time I woke up next morning he was already gone and I could hear everyone downstairs getting ready for breakfast. Right on que my stomach let loose with a tremendous growl just as my door opened. It was Lux, "Just coming to see if you were up yet and ready for breakfast but I guess my questions have been answered" he chuckled teasingly.

'I was never gonna stop getting embarrassed around him was I?!?' I thought to myself as I followed him to the kitchen hungrily. Mom and Dad already had the news on and were looking for any kind of updates as I shuffled in.

I grabbed my plate and began filling it with my moms freshmade pancakes. Added a side of bacon and topped it all off with melted butter and molasses. As I sat down the newscaster appeared on screen. "As of now each Town is under quarantine. You cannot leave at all. Stock up on non-perishable food items and barricade your house. Stay inside as much as possible to avoid contact with the infected. That is all for now. Please stay tuned for anymore information. Thank You" he said mechanically. I finished my food and after putting my plate in the sink went upstairs. Lux followed and we stood in the window looking out at our once peaceful neighborhood now a proverbial ghost town. Lux explained that my parents had seen him coming out of my room but after he explained that I hadn't wanted to be alone they were ok and had even thanked him for helping me stay sane and calm during the night and helping me sleep.