𝐇𝐈𝐃𝐄| 𝐉.𝐁.

5: About last night

"Mom, I don't feel good." I say in a raspy voice as I head downstairs.

I then see Josh in a dark teal hoodie, eating cereal at the table.

"You're in luck honey, school is closed today." My mom says, putting the thermometer in my mouth.

"Why?" I say, closing my mouth to let it rest under my tongue.

"There was a chemical leak in the lab and I guess it went through the radiator and every class smells like glucose." She says and I nod as the the thermometer beeps.

I take it out and look at my temperature.

"101, oh no." My mom gasps.

"I'll just take some tylenol. I'll be fine." I say.

"Maybe I should take off work and bring you to the doctor." She says.

"No, mom, you don't need to do that. I don't have a virus, I just have a fever and my throat hurts. It'll be gone by Monday." I say.

"Rest up, kiddo." My dad says, kissing my head and I nod with a grin as he heads out, making sure to kiss mom goodbye first.

"Are you sure?" My mom asks once again.

"Yes, I'm sure. Go to work, please." I beg and she sighs.

"Okay, but please get some rest and drink a lot of fluids." She says and I chuckle.

"Just say water." I shake my head as I take a seat across from Josh.

"Josh, you can stay as long as you like." My mom beams at him.

"Thank you so much, Mrs. Williams, really." Josh nods, grinning back.

"C-can you pass me the c-cereal?" I stammer in my raspy voice.

He nods and picks up the box of cheerios.

Our hands accidentally touch and his brown eyes finally meet mine.

He blinks a few times, realizing that he was staring for too long.

He snaps out of it and I take the box from him.

I pour the cereal in and then add the milk.

"Alright, I'm off. Love you." My mom says, kissing my head.

"Love you too." I grin.

"Have a good day, Josh." My mom smiles, patting his shoulder.

"You too, Mrs. Williams." He says back and she heads out, shutting the door.

"Jesus." I mutter, getting up to grab a spoon from the drawer.

"Can we talk?" He blurts out.

"About?" I play dumb, opening the cabinet.

The glass is too high up, are you fucking kidding me?

"C'mon Lex, about last night." He sighs and I hear his footsteps coming toward me.

"Nothing happened last night. I gave you an icepack and said goodnight." I say, jumping up, trying to reach the glass.

"Dammit!" I exclaim in a whisper from my sore throat, jumping up again.

I hear Josh breathlessly chuckle and grabs the glass with ease.

He looks down to me and holds it out.

I look up at him, meeting his weird gaze.

"Thanks, buddy!" I fake smile, patting his broad shoulder, walking back to the table.