Coincidences

Act LXXVI

"What are you doing here?"

"Your dad told me to."

There I was, face to face with Zoey, who was holding a vase of flowers. This was somehow strangely unexpected. She's there, standing in my room, my messy room, and she had a worried expression on her face. Speaking of her face, it was glowing red, and I could tell that this situation was yet another one of those moments where long, awkward silences would fill the atmosphere.

"What are you doing here?" I repeated.

She changed her answer, shushing, "Flowers."

"What?" I couldn't hear her; her voice was so weak.

"Flowers," now, with more annoyance.

I tried to keep a straight, serious face, but I wasn't feeling well enough to concentrate. I sniffed involuntarily, and I said, with a funny voice, "Sorry, I couldn't tell anyone. I'm not okay right now."

"Martin, I―," she paused. She pounced to me and hugged me. The warmth I so longingly yearned, I felt it. I put my arms around her as well, and just embraced the moment.

"Zoey," I began. "I'm sorry for what I said back then. I just blabber carelessly, not putting everything into consideration. I was only thinking about myself." I looked at her in the eyes. "I'm okay with it now. I respect your decision. Ty is a good person, anyways."

"But, Martin, it's not that," she said.

I clung onto her once again. "No, it's okay. You're my friend. I'm here for you, any time. I don't wanna let go."

"But you said that you like me. Are you sure about that?"

"Of course, my love for you won't change, but it's what you decide for yourself. Besides, I'm satisfied with just being your friend."

I leaned my head on her shoulders, still tired and hot because of the fever. She checked it herself. She exclaimed, "Martin, you're burning up."

"I know."

"Martin, you're dozing off."

I know.

"Martin."

___________________

"Martin!"

"What?!"

"You okay?" she asked, holding some flowers at hand, headed to my desk to set them aside. "I'll leave these here."

"Sure," I agreed, pressing my thumb and index finger against my temples.

She started for the door, trying to leave quickly. "I'll go now. Get well."

"Thanks," I said, unable to come up with a better thing to say.

The door closed with a mild slam, and, in a blink of an eye, I was alone yet again.