The Boy Next Door

Chapter 32: Another Girl?

'Achoo!'  'Achoo!'
I slowly stretch my arms and rub my eyes, my eyes squint shut trying to ward off the filtered sunlight drifting in. Then there is again a series of 'Achoo' 'Achoo' 'Achoo.'

Then I feel something sticky on my face. No! No! No! Its not what I am thinking. Ewww not a snot.
I slowly rub it off by my fingers and try to see what is it. I battle against my eyes which are not ready to open, I slowly force them open and is relieved to see its just saliva.

Wait! Ewww, I grab a tissue and wipe it off. I turn to look at Cruz who is still sleeping and his nose is red and swollen. He looks cute while sleeping.
And then again 'Achoo' saliva shoots out of his nose and mouth. He moves his lips apart and then shuts them. He sniffs like a baby, an innocent one. I tap my mobile to check the time and it four thirty a.m.

Cruz had caught a real bad cold. I think I should make something for him. Ummm broth will work.

I come back with hot garlic broth.
"Psst! Cruz" I whisper shaking his shoulder lightly. No response, still in deep sleep. "Cruzz!" I sing, he sniffle.

Idea!! I bend down over him and slowly bite his right ear.
"Ouch!" He yells coming into his senses. "Oh! I am so sorry, I guess I was dream biting." I grin. "Ohh" he shrugs and then again 'Achoo.' He is really not well.

"Wait, let me check....you got high fever" I say placing my palm on his forehead. He nods. Still low.

"I made broth for you, have it" I say lifting the spoon. He slowly gulps it down. "Is it tasty?" I ask, he nods taking another spoonfull.
He slowly gulps it all down, broth always makes one feel better in cold or flu.

"I think I should go and get ready for school." He says dully trying to get up.
"Shh! You are not going anywhere especially early morning. You need to rest all day but first need to head back to your room" I say helping him getting back to his room.

I slide cover over him and place a pillow under his head.
"I have to head back before my family notice I am missing. I will come back too see you after school, take care and the pill is next to you take it whenever you feel required" I say placing a peck on his forehead. "Sleep!" I warn him last time and run back to my house.

I sneak inside my house, sure footed.
I slowly climb up the stairs. "Hey!" Someone says casually. I immediately turn back. Oopsy I am caught!

"Hey!" I greet back. He turns back and heads to his room."Why are you up so early?" I ask "I should ask you that." He points. True, I am not a morning person, but he definately is.

"Okay I change my question- Why didn't you ask me anything?" I ask.
"I know where were you. Enjoy your life, I have my own life to worry about" he winks.

"Gross," I snap. "Okay so why were you up so early?" I inquire. " I didn't sleep last night, I just came back."  He answers and head towards his room.

"Where were you?" I arched my eyebrows. "What is with you acting so... mom?"

*******

I take a hot shower and slip into some casual warm clothes. I walk down the staires. "Brook." I call out. I head towards the kitchen and grasp an apple from the fruit basket.

He soon comes down. "Lets go!" I nod.
We both walk out of the house."Stop staring me like that, you are freaking me out" He gasps, as we head towards the bus stand.

"Ugh! I am tired of girls looking at me like that." He smirks. "Shut up" I stomp his foot. "Ouch" he growls.

"If I were not your sister, I would have never even looked at you." I state rolling my eyes.