-Louis-
"Pepsi...Coke...Orange Crush.." I ran my finger across the shelf of the sodas, stopping at a bottle of Ginger-ale. "This should be good" I said to myself as I placed the bottle into the small basket I was gripping firmly in my hand. Before checking out, I grabbed Chelsea some Saltines and a loaf of bread. My mom always would fix me toast when I had the flu.
Once I got back to my dorm building, I walked into the common room on our floor and tossed two pieces of bread into the toaster. While waiting for the toast, I took a plastic cup and poured her some ginger ale. I placed everything onto a tray, carefully spreading a thin layer of butter across the warm toast, and made my way to Chelsea's room
-Chelsea-
When I woke up dreadfully early this morning, Anne told me about how Louis brought me up to my room after I fell asleep in the library bathroom, and how he called her, asking for some help. I couldn't help but feel embarrassed about passing out at the toilet...in front of Louis. I must've looked ridiculous. But I also couldn't help but think about how sweet it was of Louis' to help me like that; when he could've just left me there. I wouldn't have blamed him if he did. After all, I had been awfully mean to him these past few weeks.
My eyes shifted to the door as the lock clicked and it began to slowly creep open.
"Hello?" I asked groggily
"Oh, you're awake" Louis said, stepping inside. He had a large tray balanced in his hands. A small smile played along his lips
I mirrored his facial expression as he made his way towards me. I braced my arms beside me, pulling myself into a sitting position.
"I understand if you don't want to eat the toast" He said as he played the tray on my lap "But you have to at least drink the soda. You need to stay hydrated"
I nodded "Thank you" I broke a small part of toast off of the slice, nibbling at it slowly. I then remembered that Anne had mentioned Louis was going on a trip today "Louis" I said
"Yes?" He took a seat next to me on my bed
"Don't get too close to me" I said quickly, intturpting my thought "I'm infected, remember" I grinned
"I don't care" He laughed "Now go on. What were you going to ask me?"
"Didn't you have a trip planned for this weekend?" I took a sip of the drink. The fizz of the drink soothing my throat slightly
Louis looked down at his phone "Yep. I'm supposed to leave in ten minutes" he said matter-o-factly, sticking his phone into his pocket before folding his hands together. His eyes now focused back on me
"Well you better get going then. Thanks for everything" I smiled
"I'm not going" He replied "You're sick"
I cocked me head slightly "Yes I am" I uttered "But you're not. So what's your point?" I said, realizing my question came out rude
He laughed under his breath before answering "My point is" he grinned "I'm going to take care of you."
"Louis. you can't miss your trip just so that you can take care of me"
"It would be my pleasure to skip my trip so that I could take care of you." His eyes glistened, and I could tell that he was being honest.
It was a weird feeling knowing that Louis cares more about taking care of you, rather than going on a trip with his friends. Let's be real; Its a weird feeling knowing he would rather take care of anyone instead of going on a fun trip with his friends
"You're going to regret Louis. As soon as your friends get back and tell you what an awesome time they had, and then you'll be like 'Oh I wish I would've listened to Chelsea, but I'm stubborn and British so I didn't listen to her, and now I totally regret it'" I said in my best imitation of Louis voice. It came out more like a large man that had a problem with smoking.
Louis laughed at my poor imitation "Was that supposed to be me?" his mouth dropped open and he dramatically placed his hand in front of his heart "I'm offended"
I rolled my eyes, letting out a small laugh. As I did so, Louis eyes brightened.
"..What?" I asked.
"Nothing" He shook his head, a smile still occupied his lips "I'm just glad to see you roll your eyes at me again"
I gave him a strange look
"Never mind" he laughed once again "So" He stood up from my bed "You ready to watch a movie" Louis walked to my TV, popping in a DVD
I furrowed my brow "What movie?"
"It's a surprise" He said, walking back over to the bed "scoot over" he says
"Louis, you're going to get sick"
"I have the immunity system of a puma" he replies
"...Of a puma?" I laughed
"Have you ever seen a sick Puma?" he said.
I gave him a blank look
"I didn't think so" he replied "Now scoot over" he motioned me with his arms
I let out a deep breathe before giving in and scooting over, allowing him an empty spot on the bed next to me
A familiar song began playing from the TV, bringing my attention to the screen. The title screen of 'Beauty and the Beast' appeared.
I glanced quickly over at Louis, who had a small smirk beginning to show on his lips before he explained "I asked Monica what your favorite movie was, and she said that you told her once that you loved Beauty and a Beast when you were little. I figured it may help you feel better. Monica already had the movie, so I just borrowed it from her"
I opened my mouth to reply, but he quickly added "You tell anyone I watched this movie, and I will kill you" he pointed at me. A grin still on his face
I smiled and nodded.
--
"I just don't get it" Louis said, walking to the TV as the credits began flowing down the screen
"Get what?" I asked,
"How she could fall in love with him when he was still a beast." He shook his head "He was such a jerk to her. He was horrible to her, but she fell in love with him anyway. It's just very unrealistic" he stated
"Not as unrealistic as you think" I say under my breath
"Huh?" Louis said, turning around
"Nothing" I shook my head quickly "It is just a movie you know" I laughed
"An unrealistic movie" he smirked
"Besides, she didn't fall in love with him until he began softening up, remember" I added
"Doesn't matter, he locked her father up in a cell, for goodness sake's."
"Whatever. You can't say it isn't a good movie" I crossed my arms
"Oh, of course not. You know, when Mrs. Potts and Chip were finally human again, I had to hold back tears" he teased, placing the back of his hand against his forehead "I never thought that little teacup would ever have legs again"
"Shut up" I laughed, tossing a pillow at him
Louis caught the pillow "Hah, see" he said "I have the reflexes of a puma too"
"So now what should we do" he said, placing the pillow back on my bed
"Well I can't do much" I replied "I'm sick, remember"
"Right" he stated "How about another movie?"
-Louis-
I squatted down next to my TV stand, searching my DVD collection for a good movie
"Tale as old as time" A deep voice from behind me sang.
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, knowing that that was Derek, and he knew what I had just watched. I stood to my full height and turned around to face him
"Go ahead" I said "make fun"
Derek laughed "I'm not here to make fun. I think it's great you watched that with her. Shows you at least have a heart" he grinned
"You better not spread that around campus" I pointed at him
He held his hands up "Hey, I won't say anything"
"Well I've gotta get back to Chelsea" I said, turning back to my DVD's and grabbing 'The Dark Night Rises'
"Do you think she likes Batman?" Derek asked
"Mate" I turned to him " I just watched Beauty and The Beast"
He paused for a minute "Gotcha" he laughed
--
I entered Chelsea's room once again "Do you like Batman?" I asked
"Of course" she yawned through a smile
As the movie began to play, I got back into my spot next to Chelsea.
We commented through the movie, Chelsea's hand was placed on my lap as I played with her thumb.
I felt Chelsea's head on my shoulder. I glanced down at her, noticing her eyes were closed. I smiled to myself and sunk myself down closer to her. I turned down the TV so it wouldn't wake her up. With the faint sound in the background, I-for some weird reason- began to think about the Disney movie I had just watched with Chels. I thought about what I said
"He was such a jerk to her. He was horrible to her, but she fell in love with him anyway."
That kind of describes us doesn't it...Chelsea's the beauty..and I'm sort of like the beast.
Other than the fact that She doesn't love me...yet.
So where does today put us? Are we still strictly friends, or has today changed things?
I quickly decide to not think about it, and just enjoy this moment; Chelsea leaning on my shoulder as she peacefully sleeps. I close my eyes too, letting a smile spread across my lips.