Vera Martinez has never dated. (Leaving out her seven minutes in heaven with a boy from fourth grade). All she's ever known about relationships and love are from the books she reads and old films she watches.
Until, in her English literature class...
On a holiday like today, why did my period have to come? Plus, with all this rain through the first weeks of February, made me physically ill. With a cold towel on my head, Frida checks my temperature.
"Nathan should be here any minute," she says looking at her watch.
Before Frida left to work, she didn't want to leave me alone. So, she called Nathan to take care of me. I brushed her hand away.
"I don't want him to see me like this," I mumbled.
Frida holds in a laugh. "Oh Vera."
The door buzzer goes off. Frida goes to let Nathan in from outside. I sigh as I accept the fate that Nathan will see me like this. Unshowered, still in bed, and a red bright nose. Plus, I look dead and could pass out to the underworld in a second.
When I hear voices and footsteps ascend towards my bedroom, I quickly shut my eyes and turn my back to the door. As the door opens, a sigh of relief leaves Frida's lips. I overhear them say.
"She finally fell asleep," Frida says. "Her fever hasn't come down yet. She took Tylenol a few minutes ago."
"Has she eaten?" Nathan's voice says.
Frida sighs. I can feel her shaking her head. "No. On days like these, she's stubborn not to eat anything. I've got to go, call me if anything."
My bedroom closes shut. Seconds I feel the bed sink as Nathan takes a seat. The towel is removed and I feel a warmer hand flat on my forhead. I shiver under his touch. Nathan pushes the baby hairs that have stuck to my forehead with sweat. His plump lips kiss it and my eyes flew open in panic.
"You'll catch my fever," I say weakly.
Nathan smiles. "Sleeping Beauty awakens with a kiss. How are you jagi?"
The new Korean word that it spoken with endearment makes my stomach flip.
"What's cha-gi?" I say.
Nathan props his legs on my bed and welcomes me to cuddle his side. I don't refuse the offer cause that's all I want to do all day with him.
"Jagi," Nathan emphasizes the word. "Is a word of endearment used between a couple. It means darling or sweetheart."
I nod - taking his hand and intertwining our fingers.
"I like the sound of that," I say.
Nathan hums. "It's the first time I've used it," he whispers. "Now," Nathan quickly gets off my bed and opens the curtains. I groan and pull the duvet over my head as the sun shines threw the window. "A warm shower should be the first thing to do. C'mon jagi."
Carefully he pulls away the duvet. Nathan caresses the side of my face with his fingers. His warm skin barely brushing against it.
"Please," he spoke softly. "It'll make you feel a little better."
I look up at Nathan with heavy eyes. He places a strand of hair behind my ear. His thumb tracing the curves of my face. Nathan gave me a half smile - a dimple barely visible. I sigh and sat on the bed. Fixing the nest that is my hair, I order Nathan to grab me clean underwear and a pair of clean pajamas. Once the materials were in my hand, I ask him to open the door. As he did, I get up quickly and dash out my room to the bathroom. Nathan chuckling out loud behind me.
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