That Girl in the Diner

4 - Sick Day

4-sick day

It had been three days. Three days since they had gone on their first date, three days since their first kiss, three days since she just could not get him out of her mind. Oh, and three days since her nose had started running, her temperature had gone up and she'd been laying on the couch, watching soap operas from the seventies and drinking more green tea than she had ever thought was humanly possible to consume in such a short amount of time. It wasn't really a surprise that she had suddenly gotten sick, considering their getting caught in that thunder storm. They had found shelter within a couple minutes, and had been able to sit and wait it out easily enough, and after that they'd found their way back to their cars quickly enough. But apparently, it didn't take too long for a cold to set in. By the time Julian had dropped her off at her place she had already been sniffling. And not because she was sad to see him go, though there was that too. She had called in sick to work the past few days, and had stayed at home feeling rather miserable. She had not seen or spoken to Julian since their date, and she wasn't about to until she was feeling better. She didn't want to give him the impression that she wasn't interested anymore- because that most certainly wasn't the case- but she did not want him to see her like this at all and she didn't want to seem clingy. She had not been on many second dates in her life and she wasn't exactly sure of the 'protocol' to get to one. She assumed that there would be one eventually, of course. After all, he had kissed her. She swore that she could still feel the tingling of his lips on hers, even days later. Standing there in the rain, in his arms, and looking into his eyes, breathless, the moment they pulled away... It was magical, like something straight out of a chick flick. These kinds of things didn't actually happen in real life, did they? If it wasn't for the cold she would have sworn it had all been a brilliant dream of sorts. She was almost half-glad that she had the sniffles to prove that it had all been real. Almost.

Fluffy was sitting loyally by her side, ever since she had come home. He had sniffed her to no end, apparently not liking the strange smells and knowing she had gone somewhere without him. He was curled up next to her on the couch. She knew she shouldn't let him and normally she didn't, but today she liked it and she didn't have the energy to turn him away. She was bored out of her mind, and strangely enough, missing Julian already. She knew that she had just barely met him, but she really couldn't get him out of her head- his eyes, that voice, that kiss. It was sweet memories and she wanted to see him again all too soon. But instead, she had to wait out this cold and watch more reruns. She wanted to be at her best to see him next, not like this.

Although, throughout the torturous hours of As the World Turns, (for which she could care less, but it was either that or the hot dog eating contest to watch, which did not help her nausea), her will was dwindling. It was almost three o'clock in the afternoon by the time she was staring at her phone longingly. How much could one little text hurt? She got lucky, though. He beat her to the punch.

Her phone began vibrating on the table beside her and she snatched it up with more agility than she thought she had, feeling so awful. She grinned when she saw that it was a text from Julian, and Fluffy gave her a wary look, as if he already knew who it was from and he wasn't pleased.

It read, Hey, I was just at the diner and they said you were ill. How are you doing?

She smiled at that. It was sweet of him to ask. She hadn't thought that he would ask for her at the diner, either. It was nice to be thought of. She quickly texted back, I'm okay, just a cold. How are you? She figured he was probably fine, but it was polite to ask anyway. It would be really bad if they both caught colds though. It would serve them right for lingering in the storm, like that, she thought with a small giggle.

Fine, thanks. Do you mind if I come by for a second, if you're at home? I've missed you and I just want to say hi. The text was sent back instantly. Her smile widened at that. He'd missed her? She suddenly felt like a lot less of a fool for missing him now. Her heart sped up a little bit. Maybe he could see her, just for a little bit? She would have to clean up, of course, and brush her hair out and put on something other than an old t-shirt and some pyjama shorts. She couldn't resist it though. She was bored out of her mind. Before she could really think it through, her fingers took on a life of their own.