Temporary Bliss [boyxboy]

16: Sick

I woke up one morning a few weeks later feeling like I'd been run over by a truck, hit with a shovel and then thrown down multiple flights of stairs.
My head hurt, my throat hurt, everything hurt. I was coughing painfully and was out of breath from just walking to the bathroom.

My stomach was churning and cramping, too.
Great, I thought to myself, now I have to call in sick to work. I hate doing that.

Normally I'd be starving at this time, but I wasn't hungry in the slightest. I trudged downstairs to watch some TV and maybe make myself some tea. By the time I'd reached the couch, I had already lost my motivation to make tea again, so I just plopped down there with a pained groan and searched for the TV remote.

"Whats up with you?" Caleb asked, coming out of the kitchen dressed in a suit and all.

"Have a cold or something. I'm gonna have to call in sick," I explained and Caleb patted my head.

"You'll survive. Well, I'm off to work," was all he said before heading out of the front door.
I frowned, a little disappointed with the lack of empathy. But then again, Caleb wasn't my mother. He didn't have to be concerned when I got sick, it wasn't his job.
I quickly called in sick to work, feeling a little guilty. But honestly, I really was in no state to leave the house.

I pulled a blanket over myself, shivering as I watched Tom and Jerry for a while, before drifting off into an uneasy sleep.

The next time I woke up, it was because someone was shaking my shoulder. I groaned, opening my eyes to see Caleb standing in front of me with a small bowl of steaming chicken soup, holding it out to me.

My heart swelled at the sight. He could be so precious sometimes.

"Hey, I... Uh, brought you some soup. Thought you'd appreciate it."
I used my hands to push myself into a sitting position, gratefully taking the bowl out of his hands.

"Thanks," I said hoarsely, noticing that it was now pitch dark out. Had I really slept all day?

"How do you feel?" Caleb asked after a while and I smiled weakly at him.

"Like I'm in labor," I replied and he laughed.

"How would you know what that feels like?"

I shrugged, "Just guessing."

"Do you need me to take you to the doctor's?" Caleb asked gently and I shook my head.

I hated doctors and hospitals.

"Just a cold," I croaked, "Do you want dinner? I can make you something."

"I don't think that's a good idea," my best friend stated, looking at me scoldingly.

"But-"

"I'll make something. Do you want some too?" he offered and I had to smile.

"I suggest you order something if you won't let me cook. I'd rather not have you burn down the kitchen."

"You suck! I'm trying to be nice, okay?" Caleb whined.

"I know, and you're doing a great job, but cooking really isn't a strength of yours."

My friend huffed, "Okay then. I hate you."

"That's the problem. I don't think you do," I commented with a chuckle, watching Caleb as he glared at me with a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

We spent the evening on the couch together and Caleb was probably being the nicest I'd ever experienced him. He got me some painkillers and made me tea... He even let me put my legs on him - to which he normally would've said something along the lines of "Do I look like a fuckin' footrest?"