Book versions of characters:
I tapped my foot, waiting impatiently for Mike to show up. He's never late to any of our dates, and yet it's 5:30 and we'd set plans to meet at the theatre at 5.
I was growing less irritated and more worried as time went by. Eventually, I left the theatre, riding my bike up to Mike's house, which, needless to say, took a while. We'd definitely missed our movie by now. Dammit.
I set my bike by where his was resting in front of the porch. I couldn't even appreciate the scenery of the Hanlon residence. The clearer sky, the beauty of some of the animals that were grazing upon green grass.
I knocked on the door, getting greeted by Mike's mom. She gave him a slight smile, "Hello?"
I gave her a slight wave, "Hi, Mrs. Hanlon. Is Mike okay? He missed our-" I avoided the word 'date', "-our movie."
Her smile was all too knowing, "Right. Your movie." I quickly wondered what exactly Mike had told her, but dismissed it, since I was more worried about Mike. She answered my question, seeing the concern in my eyes, "Mike's a bit under the weather today. He wanted to tell you, but I wouldn't let him out. Honestly, I'm not sure if you'd want to be around him at the moment; the flu is bad about this time of year."
I pursed my lips into a hard, thin line, "Sick?" I sighed, "Are you sure I can't talk to him? Tell him to get better, or something?"
That mysterious little light shone again in her eyes, "Alright. Come in, just for a bit, though."
I gave her a polite smile, then made a beeline for Mike's room. I poked my head in, spotting first the little waste basket by his bed, and then, him, laying on his bed. He had a drowsy expression on his face, eyes lidded.
I closed the door behind me, sitting on the edge of Mike's bed next to him, "Mikey? You feeling okay?"
He rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, blinking slowly, "Sorry I couldn't make it, Stanny."
I frowned, pressing a hand to his forehead to see how warm it was-that being a lot, "That's not what I asked, Michael Evan Hanlon."
A smile graced Mike's face, "Full naming me? Am I in trouble?" He added, "Stanley Connor Uris."
I rolled my eyes, "You're burning up, you idiot."
Mike closed his eyes, leaning his head against his pillow again, "I know. My mom says I'm really contagious, too, hun. You should go so you don't get sick."
I shook my head, "I'm going to help you get better," I quickly added, "If your mom lets me stay, I mean."
Mike let out a sigh, "She will, unfortunately. You're going to get sick, and I'm going to feel awful about it, I hope you know."
I lifted his hand to press a light kiss to his knuckles, "I'm aware."
