"Achoo..!"
"Bless you, babe.."
Jake pulled a tissue out from its box, handing it to his girlfriend. Hailey sniffled, her nose giving off a light red colour.
"Thanks, hun.." Hailey replied, taking the soft sheet of tissue into her palm. She then held it up to her nose and blew into it, discarding the used tissue into a wastebasket that was near her and her boyfriend.
"Are you okay?" Jake asked, rubbing Hailey's back soothingly.
"Yeah, I am...Ugh, I hate being sick with the flu. I feel so awful.." Hailey sniffed again, the congested, stuffy feeling her nose produced irritating her.
"I understand. Being sick with the flu sucks.." Jake rubbed her shoulder, quickly grabbing another tissue from the box. "And that's why I'm here, taking care of you.."
Hailey smiled weakly as Jake handed her the tissue, taking it from him afterwards. "I really appreciate it, Jake. I really do. But, I don't want you to catch my sickness.." She blew into the tissue again, throwing it away soon after.
Jake chuckled lowly, kissing the top of her head. The action made Hailey blush as she looked up at him. "Hey, I don't care. I don't care if I catch the flu. All that matters to me is taking care of you, and ensuring that you get well soon..I don't care what you say, princess. I'm gonna look after you whether you like it or not!"
Hailey giggled, his words making her awe. "Oh, babe...You're so sweet." Jake grinned, cupping both of her warm cheeks. "What the hell did I do to deserve you..?"
"I'm the one who should be saying that, princess.." Jake pulled her in closer, their noses nearly touching the other's. They stayed in that position for only a minute or so before Jake parted away.
"Oh, nearly forgot! Your vegetable soup should be ready now! I left it alone for a bit for it to cool down. It's in the kitchen." Jake informed his girlfriend, causing her to almost gasp.
"Oh, you've got to be kidding me.." Hailey sheepishly giggled. "You made me soup too?"
Jake nodded his head enthusiastically. "Sure did! And I made it all by myself too! Just for you, Hails! It was quite the challenge, but I managed."
"Jake...You didn't have to do that.." Hailey murmured, glancing off to a side of hers.
"Well, I wanted to. Here, let me go get it.." Jake then sat up from the sofa and began to walk off. He opened the door leading outside the living room and headed towards the kitchen to retrieve Hailey's bowl of soup.
Hailey rested on the couch patiently, hearing some noises come from the kitchen as she waited. Thinking to herself, she sighed happily. She felt so lucky and grateful to have such a loving and caring boyfriend. It was Jake that wrapped Hailey up in warm blankets, gave her hot chocolate, gave her medication, kept her company, and now he made food for her. He was doing so much for Hailey, and this just made her love him all the more.
"God, he is so amazing.." Hailey thought to herself. "I am so in love with him.."
----
"I'm back!"
Hailey heard Jake enter the room again, making her head turn towards the door. There, she saw Jake walk over to her with a white bowl of soup in his palms, transparent steam arising from it.
Hailey smiled upon seeing him. She watched Jake mix the soup lightly with a silver spoon before he sat down next to her.
"Alright, so it's still a tiny bit hot. I'll try to cool it down for you.." Jake said, using the spoon to get a spoonful of the soup, lifting it up carefully once it was done.
"Wait, are you gonna feed me..?" Hailey asked, her cheeks glowing red.
"Yep! I am.." Jake replied, giving the ocean-haired girl a charming wink.
"I can feed myself.." Hailey pointed out to him, earning a pout from Jake in return.
"Princess, can you just let me take care of you please..? I wanna help you.." Jake frowned, his head slightly hanging low as he looked away. His hand lowered the spoon back down into the bowl. He was beginning to think that his efforts were maybe not enough for his girlfriend.
Hailey caught onto his sad demeanor and immediately started to feel bad. Jake was doing so much for her and he really was trying his best. In fact, Jake was currently the only person who was still staying by Hailey's side when she is sick. Nobody else is with her. Just him.
"I'm..I'm sorry babe. You're being so caring and thoughtful right now, and I'm just acting all inconsiderate about it..I'm sorry.." Hailey grasped onto Jake's hand, squeezing it gently. "It's just...I'm not used to somebody doing this much for me..Usually, people could care less, you know? The only person who would do so much for me is Zander, or the rest of my family members. It's never usually anyone outside of my family.."
Jake met his brown eyes with Hailey's grey ones, seeing the soft gaze they held behind them. "Oh, Hails...It's okay. You deserve the world, you know that? The way some people in our school treat you is..disgusting. And, I'm ashamed that..I was one of them.."
"Oh, Jake. It's all in the past...Please, don't beat yourself up about it. Things have changed.." Hailey squeezed his hand even tighter, feeling him return it. It wasn't long before the two of them eventually shared a smile with eachother. They could see the undying love they had between them in one another's eyes.
"A...Achoo!"
Hailey suddenly sneezed again, covering her mouth. Jake laughed at the gesture and grabbed a tissue from its box.
"Bless you! My God, that was a big one.." Hailey rolled her eyes at Jake's comment, taking the tissue from him.
"Shut up.." She muttered, blowing her nose briskly into the white sheet. She then dropped it into the wastebin, sniffing. "Okay, now are you gonna feed me or what? I'm starving.."
Jake realised that he was still holding the bowl of soup in his grasp, having not fed Hailey a single spoonful yet. "Oh, right! Yes, of course!"
Jake lifted the spoon back out from the bowl, taking a spoonful of soup in the process. He gave it a little blow in order to cool it down. Then after that, Jake guided the spoon towards Hailey's mouth.
"Alright, princess..Open wide!" Hailey chuckled at Jake's exclaim. Hearing his command, Hailey opened her mouth, awaiting her food. Slowly, Jake put the spoon inside as Hailey took it in, gulping the soup's contents down. Jake took the spoon out, admiring on how adorable his girlfriend looked.
"Mmm..! Oh, Jake! This is so good! The soup tastes delicious!" Hailey complimented her boyfriend's dish. Jake grinned warmly, glad that his partner felt that way about his cooking.
"Is Jake Sterling the best cook or what?" Jake boasted with pride, getting another spoonful ready.
"Yeah, yeah...Now, give me more! I'm addicted.." Hailey replied, which made Jake laugh in adoration. He then proceeded to feed Hailey for the rest of the afternoon. She ate it all, her tastebuds absolutely satisfied, and her stomach now full. The vegetable soup definitely succeeded in making her feel better.
----
"Well, Hails..I'll head back home now. It's getting pretty late. You should get some sleep now, and take care of yourself..."
Hailey's lips curved into a small frown at the thought of Jake leaving her. She understood that Jake should probably go home, but she also didn't want to be alone for the night. Jake has stayed with her for almost the entire day. Hailey now felt clingy and didn't want him to leave.
Hailey didn't say anything to him. Instead, she watched Jake trail up to her slowly, and then hold onto her cheeks, gazing into her eyes. He leaned his face downwards and kissed her lips briefly, for just a second. It was too late for Hailey to react, or kiss back.
"Get well soon, okay..?" Jake whispered to her, smiling.
"Jake..?"
"Yes, love..?
Hailey bit her lip, her eyes shifting to her bedroom floor. She could feel Jake's palms connect with hers. She gripped onto them firmly, not wanting to let go.
"Could..Could you maybe stay the night instead? I don't..want to be alone. If you really have to go, I understand. But, I would love for you to stay with me. Can you sleep with me?"
Hailey pleaded him, her eyes giving off a small sparkle. Jake's cheeks flushed a bright red, his heart pinging. He contemplated for a moment. His parents probably won't mind, and besides, Hailey needs him.
"Of course I can stay the night...Anything to make you happy.." Jake carressed her soft countenance, seeing Hailey beam at his response.
"Thank you so much Jake.." Hailey responded gratefully. Suddenly, she pulled Jake into a tight hug, her arms wrapping around his collarbone. She could pick up the scent of Jake's cologne that he wore, which she thought smelt amazing.
Jake awed at the girl and returned the hug, his hands snaking around her back. He cuddled her, his nose digging into the crook of her neck. He could smell Hailey's shampoo, a mixture of flowers. "No need to say thank you, Hails..I'm always here for you.."
-End-