Prototype

Fighting

" By God, this hurts." 

My head hung in a toilet releasing my food by regurgitation. I had to call in sick in school and report the situation. Sunday Linus never told me what he wanted to. Probably because we were also in the presence of Elijah. They both went home around 8:30. It was nice having them over though. I actually was supposed to eat lunch with them today. Even though I don't typically eat. But after that cough I had yesterday, my immune system collapsed completely. I  became pale and sweaty. My food will not stay down. Also, my body aches in various places even though I've done nothing to cause injury to myself. From my knowledge, I have a fever. But I've never gotten sick ever in my life. Prototypes have an extra strong immune system that which the chip will tell the brain to produce more enzymes and proteins to keep us as healthy as possible. That's why we don't need to eat as much or exercise. We can still do those things and we'll get full and we'll get fit but it'll be at a faster rate. Maybe that's why Linus is so skinny but so strong. He's maintaining the muscles he gets with a crazy high metabolism his chip gives him. Even analyzing doesn't make me feel better though. And it's one of my favorite things to do. I was bored being home. Just like old times, I guess.

Linus POV

Either Leon wasn't at school or he was avoiding me. I knew I never should've asked him to date me over the phone. But I couldn't stand the thought of someone else taking the opportunity of having an amazing person like him.Especially after meeting that Elijah guy. I tried calling his phone but it went straight to voicemail. I hope he isn't ditching school to go and hang out with that Elijah character. Never mind, Leon loves school so much he'd marry it if it were a person. I should just go to his house this afternoon and apologize and explain myself. Just hope he'll talk to me. 

Elijah POV

I expected to have lunch with Leon today. That kid is so weird it's funny. At lunch, I was looking for him but he must have been with his friends. I just sat with mine like normal. No biggie. But then I went to third period and his seat was empty. That seemed strange considering how much he talked about he loved math. Y'know yesterday he was looking kinda pale and sickly. I guess I could check up on him really quickly and see if he's okay after school. His house is only like down the street and around the corner. 

Leon POV 

It was about 3:30 in the afternoon and I thought I'd puke up whatever virus had penetrated my body. I actually felt weaker than when I woke up. Am I dying? I'd hate for that to be the case. I was taken from my morbid thoughts by the doorbell. I trudged along my carpet floor and headed downstairs to answer it. It was Linus and he was holding a card and some groceries. 

"Hey, I didn't see you at school today. You love school what's wrong?" I was trying to answer but I hadn't tried to speak all day considering I live alone. My voice was low and hoarse that I couldn't make out a sentence without coughing. Linus quickly pats my back and helped me back up to my room.

" Forgive me. I didn't know that if prototypes get sick they'd get twice more sick than regular humans would get. You don't have to take care of me you can be on your way. " He kinda chuckled at my answer. "Are you silly? I'd love to take care of you." He opened my door with his free hand and to both of our surprise, we found Elijah climbing in my window. 

" Hey, you weren't in school so I decided to come and check up on you. And I was right. Dude you look terrible, let's get you into bed." He kinda took me out of Linus' arms and laid me down on the bed and sat next to me. He then felt my head and neck to diagnose what was wrong with me. I'd tell him but my throat is still quite sore. It hurt simply talking to Linus.

"You're burning up. Like really hot. Like dangerously hot. I'll run downstairs and get you some medicine alright. Don't die before then." He then rushed off but before he left the room he told something to Linus but I couldn't make it out whatever it was. Linus had actually just froze. After Elijah had left the room he sat at my bed and continued trying to make me feel better. "What'd he ask you to do?" 

" Just watch over you is all. He didn't need to do that. I'd have done it regardless." These guys were being so nice to me and I honestly don't know if I deserve it. I appreciate this though. A lot.

Elijah had rushed in with a couple different medicines. I didn't even know I had any. My parents must've snuck that in their last visit. " Here's ibuprofen, Motrin B, and some NyQuil. I gathered up what I normally take when I have a fever.  Here take this first. This'll subside the pain." He gave me the ibuprofen and a cup of water.  Linus just looked at me with concerned eyes. He shouldn't be worried if I'm being taken care of. "Are you hot or cold? I'll change the temperature for you," Linus spoke. 

"Right now I feel hot but cold at the same time. Mostly hot." This ailment is truly troublesome for both me and others around me. They should leave before it affects them. " You guys should go before you get sick and are bedridden like me." Then they spoke up at the same time and their answer was surprising. 

" I'm not going anywhere," they both said. Then Elijah spoke next. " See you have two of your friends trying to help you. Why not just let us help you right Linus?" Linus was taken off guard but he responded. " Yeah, we're here to help you. Look we'll go down and grab you some more sheets in case you get cold again and get whatever you need okay?" I just nodded not trying to strain my voice more than I have already. Then they left the room but not before peaking their head in again just to make sure I was okay. I feel bad for inconveniencing them. They could be having fun but they're here, helping me.

Linus POV

I'm worried about him because just strong as Prototypes' immune system is when it fails everything does. I want to focus on getting him better but I can't help but be jealous of Elijah being here. And him being so comfortable with Leon doesn't ease my nerves. " I'll get the extra sheets for him. Why don't you prepare a cold and hot towel for him just in case his temperature rises or falls. Cool?" 

" Um yeah. Might I ask why you were hopping into Leon's window?" He just turned around confused. Was he playing dumb? How'd he and Leon even meet? They're from two completely different worlds.  

" He's a friend and I noticed that he wasn't at school today so I decided to check up on him. And I was right. You had the same feeling huh?" Is he Leon's friend? But Leon doesn't have many friends. That's what he told me. I don't think he's even capable of lying. Maybe he just never got around to telling me. Yeah, that sounds reasonable.

"Yeah, I had the same feeling. He loves school. There's no way he would miss it unless something was wrong."  He just smiled but although he was making me angry, I was glad that Leon was being taken care of. I just wish I was the only one doing it. 

"Well, you can go now. I have it under cover. And don't worry, Leon is safe with me." Was he serious?! No way was I going to let him steal Leon from me. I don't know what this guy's intentions are but I don't trust him. "Actually I think I'll stay. Why don't you go home instead?" He was taken aback by me raising my voice and getting an attitude but I couldn't ask Leon if he was here. I needed him to leave.

"Are you kidding? Leon needs me to take care of him. I'm not going anywhere." Damn this guy is really getting under my skin. "Why do you want me to leave so bad then," I asked him. Maybe if I try to impose on the reason he's so insistent on staying with Leon, he'll leave. 

"Right now I just want to take care of him alright?  Nothing more, nothing less. What's your reason for not going? He'll be totally fine without you here." That's the problem. Elijah is so good at taking care of Leon and that's all that I want to do but I feel like he doesn't need me.

"I just really wanna make sure he's okay." He just scoffed at what I said. He's keeping something from me but he knows I'm also keeping something from him. " So I'm not going anywhere either."

Leon POV

I had taken a small nap and awoke to what sounded like arguing from downstairs. But the only other people in the house were Linus and Elijah. I slowly stepped out of bed and headed down. On the stairwell, I overheard their conversation. I couldn't believe what I was hearing either. 

Are they fighting? Over me?