where the water meets the moon | e.d.

fifty-six

ethan

"surprise," i whisper, slipping into addy's room quietly and closing the door softly behind me.

she looks up from her book, confused. "wait, aren't you supposed to be at research?"

"i told them i had to go to the bathroom, so i don't have a lot of time."

she smiles, her face looking a little bit more flushed than it was this morning. i collapse down next to her, sighing a little and staring at the ceiling.

"you're gonna get sick," she sing-songs.

"no i'm not," i insist, tugging her arm down so she's laying next to me.

she rests her head on my chest and i wrap my arm around one shoulder, holding her close to me. her body temperature is certainly warmer than it should be, but she's shuddering every so often like it's not.

"i've been miserable today, and it's only noon," she sighs.

"i'm sorry," i mumble and place a couple small kisses into her hair. i can just feel her mouth curve up into a smile. "what do you want for lunch? i think evan was going to make us all pizza quesadillas, but i bet that doesn't sound very appetizing to you, does it?"

she shakes her head a little. "no, it doesn't. all i've eaten is crackers and water."

"buttered noddles?"

addy hesitates before asking softly, "do we have the dressing?"

"i think so."

"okay... then yeah, buttered noodles."

"i'll make you some."

"your girlfriend is going to get all weird about it," she warns.

"for what? taking care of my friend?" i enunciate carefully and she laughs.

her hand trails up my stomach, then rests on top of my chest. it feels warm— too warm.

"you're hot."

"thanks."

"not what i meant."

she laughs again, this time louder than she probably should. "i know, i was just joking."

"seriously," i pull back a little to feel her forehead again. "you need some fresh air or something. come outside for a little."

"i don't want to be around people, ethan. what if they get sick?"

"i doubt you're contagious, but okay."

"fevers aren't contagious?"

"not the fever themselves, but if you sneeze on someone then they'll probably get sick."

she pretends to close her eyes and inhale for a sneeze, and i scramble to push her back. she giggles, pulling me in again and slowly begins to scratch my chest gently with the hand that lays on top of it.