Best Friend's Sister

She's Sick

I stare at the white ceiling of my room with my phone laying on my chest. My red lights are on setting a chill and calm mood or at least trying to. My body is tense and breathing feels harder than it did ten minutes ago. I'm waiting for a response to a text I sent to Lauren, Lisa's sister.

I close my eyes trying to make time go by faster. Five painstaking minutes later my chest vibrates with the buzzing from my phone. I quickly pick it up to read the text. To my dismay it is actually from Lisa and not from Lauren. I groan but read it anyways.

Dan I was wondering if you wanted to hang out today. I smile because I love hanging out with Lisa and that might mean Lauren too. If it doesn't involve Lauren it might take my mind off of her. More importantly away from my house. My smile falters realizing that does mean no Lauren. Lauren has the flu and I'm gonna get stuck taking care of her and you know how good I am at making soup.

I chuckle at the last part of the sentence and am slightly relieved that Lauren is not ignoring me, she's just sick. That doesn't sound good either Dani.

I text what I would say in person, That doesn't sound like being a good big sister.

I can feel her brown eyes glaring at me through the phone.

If you want to come and take care of a sick girl and a bored healthy one go ahead because my parents just left telling me to watch her. I nod to myself deciding I have nothing better to do. I guess I have chores and some homework from college but that is not fun.

I get myself ready by putting black skinny jeans, a white long sleeve, and a black t shirt over it.

I open the door and the crisp fall wind makes me shiver but I survive the five minute walk. I rub my cold hands together before ringing the doorbell. As I hear the familiar sound of the doorbell I get the same five year old anticipation, this time it coming not from music but from my newfound feelings.

The door opens to reveal Lisa smirking slightly at me, "I'm starting to think you like hanging out with Lauren more than me." I feel my palms start to sweat and my throat get dry. Did she read the text I sent Lauren? "Just kidding, thanks for saving me." She flashes her platinum white smile. That girl spends too much time on her teeth.

"You're welcome." I manage to respond without my voice cracking and follow Lisa to her and Lauren's room.

She puts her hand on the doorknob but before turning it she turns to me, "She's a little groggy, I think I gave her too much cold medicine." My eyes widen at Lisa wondering what a groggy Lauren is like. If she's anything like a tired Lauren she will make me laugh. "Hey, I'm not usually the nurse of the family." She argues reading my expression a little jokingly but some regret in her eyes knowing she messed up.

I put my hand on her shoulder trying to offer some comfort, "There are directions on the bottle."I inform her, mostly as a guide for next time, and she shrugs in response.

"I wanted her to be better as soon as possible." I smile at this, it sounding like the protective older sister Lisa has proven herself to be.

She opens the door revealing their currently messy room with a bucket on the ground if it is for puke or trash I do not want to know. Also a ball I assume Lauren hiding under her covers.

Lisa rolls her eyes at me before going over to Lauren's bed. She uncovers Lauren's revealing the younger girl's pale and sweaty face, "I'm cold." I hear her mumble to her older sister.

Lisa tucks Lauren tightly into the blankets making sure it is not over her face, "You also can barely breathe so I don't trust you under this blanket." Lisa argues and Lauren's face turns to me her pout leaving and a sleepy smile emerging.

"Dan Dan's here." Lisa chuckles at her twenty year old sister acting four. I smile that she seems excited at my company. Maybe as much as I'm hiding on the inside.

"Yes she is Ladybug and she came after I told her you were sick. Isn't that nice of her." Lisa grabs the blanket from her own bed and adds it to the at last five blankets already on her little sister.

Lauren shifts onto her side slowly closing her eyes, "Dan nice." I giggle at this version of Lauren which means the not tentative and thinking before speaking Lauren. "You leaving now that Dan's here?" Lauren asks a frown re–emerging as Lisa fixes the pillow. Watching a I think about how Lisa does not give herself enough credit in caring for her siblings.

"No, mom and dad told me to take care of you. Dani's here to save me from boredom and you from food poisoning."

Lauren's eyes open again, "Pasta?" I walk over to her.

"I don't think pasta is good when your sick Lo. How about some soup?" She thinks for a second her perfect eyebrows furrowing.

How does she look so beautiful when sick?

Her voice snaps me out of that thought, "Pasta better." She decides and I chuckle softly. Her bit of her tangled hair falls in her face and I brush the strand of hair out her face. I notice that her face is redder than it was before, it is probably because of the amount of blankets on her.

I want her to get better so I cannot fall for her puppy dog eyes, "So soup it is." She looks at me clearly confused on why she's not getting pasta.

Her voice is soft and tired, "What about pasta?" She asks again making a sympathetic frown form on my face.

"When you get better I'll make you pasta." I tell her and her beautiful brown eyes sparkle with hope.

"Promise." She asks a little fear in her voice.

I smile at her, "Promise."

I kiss her forehead, "Now sleep Lo. I'll have your soup when you wake up."

Her eyes close and I turn to see Lisa with confused wide eyes.

Crap.