Virus

Chapter 4

Chapter 4

351 Days

29th July 2021

The day started out like any other, arguing who gets to take a shower first, complaining how much we wanted a real breakfast, watching Lisa do a bigger production than New York fashion week in order to decide what she wanted to wear, the usual.

However, today a knock at the door broke our usual routine. I jumped up from the bed to grab my contact lenses but the voice coming from the other side of the door wasn't what I expected.

“Oi! Alex, open the door!” Alex smirked, all his panic melted away as made his way to the door; when he opened it a tall figure tackled him to the floor, they wrestled each other around the on ground until they reached Lisa’s stiletto, who had no problem giving Alex a hard kick in the side.

Alex grunted and released the other boy from his death grip. The stranger stood up and dusted himself off.  “Thanks love.” He said to Lisa. He was taller than her, even in her heels, which I didn’t think was possible. His thick dark red hair was the colour of wine and his eyes were metallic grey but if you looked closely you could make out flecks of gold in them. I didn’t need to be told how long he had left, I could tell from the dark bruise-like circles under his eyes; insomnia, month eight.

Alex finally having recovered stood up and introduced us.

“This is Xavier Slade. Xavier this is Lisa Malev and Natalie Taylor.” Xavier smiled his grey eyes full of mischief.

“Well Alex, you have quite a groupie.” Lisa smirked, it looks like she finally found a partner for her mischief.

“Yeah Bonnie and Clyde can’t keep their hands off each other.” She nodded towards us. “I’m just an innocent bystander who dragged into the middle of this.”

“You don’t look very innocent.” Xavier commented slyly and was rewarded with one of Lisa’s flirty smiles. Alex coughed loudly interrupting their little flirting session, she doesn’t waste any time does she? I though to myself.

“Sorry to interrupt, but here are the photos, we really need these as soon as possible.” Alex said handing him the envelope containing our passport photos. “Alright, I’ll be about an hour.” He said turning for the door.

“Oh please let me go with him!” Lisa moaned. “If I am stuck in this room for another day I will shoot myself!” Miss melodramatic as usual. Alex opened his mouth to disagree.

“How come you’re letting him go?” She said jabbing a finger at Xavier.

“Because no one is looking for me. I never went to the hospital. No one knows I’m infected.” He said showing us his tattoo-free arm.

“Please! I will wear my amazing disguise and for the love of god, the sexual tension between you has become unbearable!” My face grew hot as Xavier chuckled.

“Fine.” Alex finally gave up, there was no point arguing with her. Overjoyed she ran to her suitcase finding a hat and her massive sunglasses; and just before she left the room she turned to me and said,

“Use protection and don’t do anything and I wouldn’t do.” She winked and followed the sound of Xavier’s laughter.

I turned to see a very amused looking Alex, suddenly feeling very awkward and not quite sure what to say so I blurted out,

“I’m going to take a shower.” Even though my hair was still damp from the one I had taken half an hour ago.

“Can I join you?” He asked, I laughed but it sounded more like a chocking sound. I shook my head and sat down on the bed, he joined me, wrapping his strong arms around my waist and kissed my neck softly sending shivers up my spine.