Spectra

Chapter 11

Lucas

I carried Emily up to my bedroom. I grabbed multiple blankets and tucked her freezing body in bed. Her skin was bluish, especially on her lips and fingers. She wasn't completely conscious and seemed confused. Definitely hypothermia. My mom knocked on the door and brought in a tray with a mug and a bowl. She set it on my dresser and kissed Emily's forehead like she was her own daughter.

Emily turned towards me. "What's that?" She slurred. "I'm cold." She took my warm hand and touched my palm to her face. Her cheek absorbed my warmth.

"Let's take your temperature, okay?" I asked and she nodded. Emily took the thermometer from the tray and stuck it in her mouth. I stirred the hot tea next to her and we heard the thermometer beep. 90°F That was almost reaching severe hypothermia. "You better drink some tea." I handed her the mug and she sat up and took sips. She was still shivering.

"I'm tired. And cold. And dizzy." Emily continued complaining after she set the mug back down. I softly set my hand on the side of her face and rubbed circles into her cheek. She shut her eyes and smiled slightly at my gesture. I looked at her adoringly. I was falling for her, and there was no stopping it.

Once I thought she was asleep or close to, I slowly stood up and walked outside my room where my mom was not so subtly watching us. She looked away quick pretending that she saw none of it.

"90°," I said making my mom wince. "She drank some tea but is still freezing. And now she's asleep, but you know that since you were watching." A smile formed on her face.

"That little moment in there... Do you?" She was definitely asking if I liked her. I blushed and rolled my eyes denying it but I knew she saw through it. I walked back into my room and sat back down next to Emily. She was still shivering and breathing slowly. I turned on my TV to the news.

"Luckily, today both Tricksters were found. Unconscious in the abandoned Wayne Industries Factory was where the CCPD found them. An anonymous caller revealed their location. Both men will be serving much time in Iron Heights." I took a deep breath in realizing that it really was all over.

"You were my hero today. I'm usually the one to save everyone but not today." Her speech was even more slurred, almost as if she was drunk. I smiled.

"Even superheroes need saving some time. And this superhero needs some sleep." It was only 4:30 but thanks to winter it was already dark. Sleep would definitely help with warming up and she was definitely still a dangerous shade of blue.

"But I'm too cold, it's like negative bazillion degrees in here." Emily shivered under the layers of blankets. The heat was on full blast and I was starting to get hot.

"I'll go turn up the heat, then bedtime." I felt like I was talking Ainsley. I went to find my mom.

"She's not getting any warmer." I worried to my mom who was putting laundry away.

"If you're comfortable with it, I know a way that'll bring her body temperature up faster." I nodded fast. "Well, sharing body heat helps a lot." My face fell. No. I couldn't. Never. Nope, I would probably die.

"You want me to sleep with her?!" I whisper yelled. She nodded.

"Skin to skin contact with someone warm helps. So go take that shirt off." My mouth hung open. She did not just order me to take my shirt off. "I wouldn't suggest it if it wasn't severe. Oh, stop being a chicken and go!" She spun me around and pushed me towards my room.

She wanted me to snuggle with my best friend while she only had a bra and underwear on. I pulled my shirt over my head and pulled off my pants so that I had only my boxers on. My mom wasn't messing with me, right? Who am I kidding, she wouldn't let me sleep in just my boxers with a girl if it wasn't this situation.