The Nerd's Secret |Ongoing|

☫ Chapter 17 ☫

☫ Chapter 17 ☫

There was a foot in front of my face the moment my eyes fluttered open.

      To be perfectly honest, it almost touched my lips. Just an inch away, really. I wrinkled my nose and rolled over towards the edge of the bed, scooting away from the foot. Why is there even a foot there? I lightly closed my eyes, ignoring my curiosity and instead tried to get some more sleep. My palms tapped the areas surrounding my bed, in search of my blanket. I blindly grabbed a hold of the thin fabric and cocooned myself in it.

     It felt nice. I smiled softly, feeling content with the warmth. I twitched when the sunlight hit my face, agitating me. A grunt escaped my lips as I pulled the blanket over my head, sighing at the comfort. Mhm.

     "Jeremiah!"

     My eyes snapped open, startled at the scream. With an ache in my head, I attempted to get up. I got a hold of my glasses and slipped them on clumsily. I stumbled during the disorientated process, tripping over and falling right onto the floor. My face planted directly on my backpack. I slowly eased myself off of it. "Argh, why is my backpack on the floor?" I groaned and rubbed my forehead. I moved it out of the way.

     I spared a glance at the clock, taking in the time. Out of the corner of my eyes, I noticed something moving on my bed. Uncertain of what it was or why it was there, I stealthy advanced to it, tiptoeing so my footsteps wouldn't be heard. The sheets crumbled and that's when I saw the familiar ginger hair sticking out. Jude was sleeping.

     Oh, right. Now I remember.

     See, last night, before I went to the gas station as Blue Gravity, Jude and I were discussing sleeping arrangements. I didn't have an extra bed and there was no way I'd let him sleep on the floor. And so it somehow went like this.

     "Top and tail?" Jude suggested with a shrug.

     "Yeah, okay," I agreed, going with the idea.

     Maybe not the smartest thing I've done. It didn't seem harmful at the time and I didn't even think about the possibility of his foot landing on my face. I didn't really think last night. I mean, that's not the worst thing ever and his foot wasn't really dirty so I guess it worked out.

      "Jude," I whispered and prodded him on the shoulder. He turned away from me. I bit my lips. "Jude, I really need you to wake up," I said desperately.

      "What?" Jude mumbled, his eyes still closed.

      "Can you-"

      "Jeremiah!" Grandma called again, her tone more aggressive. There was a certain warning to it. A reminder almost. Her tone suggested that she was on the verge towards losing all patients. Not that she had much of that but still. "Do not make me call you one more time."

      I winced and yelled back. "I'm c-coming."

     Jude was now fully awake, a crooked frown occupying his lips as his forehead creased. He sleepily squinted his eyes at me. Feeling a bit panicked, I took a hold of him. His eyes widened at that and then escalated to what I thought would be an impossible range when I pulled him towards my closet. I hastily took his things and handed it to him.

     "Just stay here, yeah?" I asked while looking at the door and then back at him. My cheeks turned red with embarrassment when a chorus of curse words was audible and definitely heard by the both of us. Jude pursed his lips not answering my first question. I continued, "You can borrow clothes if you want. A-and make sure no one sees you."