Part 10 (1/2)

Alara rolled her eyes as she stood up. ”You know, I can see why you want to go to law school. You have one sharp mind.” She was laughing as she tapped the side of her head in mock amazement. I attempted to throw a pillow at her as she left the room but between my achy muscles and my horrible athleticism, I ended up knocking over my lamp.

”Dammit,” I muttered as I slumped down and rolled my face into another pillow.

”There, there.” Alara patted my arm, and I looked up to see she'd also righted the lamp. ”You get an A for effort.”

”That's a stupid grading system,” I grumbled. A knock sounded at the door, and if a knock could sound excited, this one did. My roommate's smile stretched wide, but when she looked down at me, it faltered slightly.

”I'll see you in a couple days?”

”Yes,” I answered resolutely. ”Now get outta here.”

”Call if you need anything.”

”Yes, mom.” We both ignored the slight tension that word brought about as we said one more round of goodbyes. And ten minutes later, I heard the front door softly shut before the lock clicked.

I closed my eyes and thought about what Alara said. Was Damien my boyfriend? Admittedly, in the beginning I wasn't looking for that, I was looking for a distraction, and of course s.e.x. But even now, I didn't think it was a good idea to get involved. Between the potential that Damien was a rebound, the fact that I'd be leaving for law school in a few months, and- But didn't he say he wasn't interested in that either? Yes, yes he did. So I didn't have to a.n.a.lyze what I might be feeling. We were having s.e.x. That was all. That was what he wanted, and that was what I wanted. And for now, the rest didn't have to matter.

”Hey.” I looked over to see Ellie shuffling into the kitchen, clad in a baggy black T-s.h.i.+rt and black thigh-highs that had panda heads on top.

”Good morning.”

She groaned and covered her nose. ”Is it? What's that smell?”

Raising my eyebrows, I nodded toward the frying pan. ”Bacon? I thought I'd make your favorites.”

”That's really sweet, but-” She cut herself off before jumping from the chair she'd just sat down on and fleeing down the hall. Quickly following, I found her on her knees bent over the toilet. I crouched down and rubbed small circles on her back as the morning sickness pa.s.sed.

”Are you okay?”

Ellie gave me a small, hesitant nod as I stood up and ran a hand towel under the faucet. Returning to her side, I handed it to her and helped her up.

”So, no bacon?”

She frowned and shook her head. ”Sorry, D. I appreciate the gesture, though.”

”No problem. What does the little guy feel like?”

Laughing, she placed her hand on her stomach. ”Uhh... I feel like such a cliche, but a pickle sounds heavenly.”

”Then a pickle you shall have.” I moved back to the kitchen to toss the bacon and grab my keys. ”I'll be right back.” I closed the door and made my way to my car. I had just gotten in, when an unknown number flashed on my screen. My finger hovered over ignore, but for some reason, I answered instead.

”h.e.l.lo?”

”Damien?” The voice was a tentative whisper and while it sounded familiar, I couldn't place it.

”Who is this?”

”Alara. Naomi's roommate.”

”Oh. What's up?”

There was a pause as I started the car and backed out. ”Well, I'm headed out of town for the week and Naomi's pretty sick.” I had to bite my tongue to keep from asking how bad it was and what exactly was wrong. ”I know she says you guys are just having fun, or whatever... but I got the impression you cared about her-”

”I do,” I replied swiftly. I was sick of worrying about scaring Naomi off. I didn't want to pretend I felt less than I did anymore.

”A lot,” Alara finished, and I could hear the smile in her voice. She cleared her throat. ”I was wondering if you could check on her for me? She's stubborn-”

”And the sky is blue,” I deadpanned.

She laughed in agreement. ”Exactly, and I'm afraid that even if she gets really sick she won't call anyone for help. She's probably fine, but I just worry.”

A weird, unfamiliar sensation pulled at my heart as I thought of Naomi being sick and alone. ”Yeah, that's not a problem.”

I could still hear the smile in her voice as she thanked me and hung up.

I frowned as I waited for Naomi to open the door after my fourth knock. I was one second away from calling her, when the door swung open to reveal her pale and sweaty complexion. After Alara had called I still needed to head to work, but I begged off after half a day and told Claire I'd come in early tomorrow. As usual, she didn't have a problem with it. But when I took in how haggard Naomi looked, I was starting to wonder if I should have asked for tomorrow off as well.

”What are you doing here?” she slurred before turning around and violently coughing over her shoulder. When she turned back around her eyes were closed and she was leaning against the door. ”You realize I can't have s.e.x like this, right? I mean, I know I'm awesome in bed but even I have limits.”

I laughed and rolled my eyes, relieved she was still sa.s.sing me. ”I came to check on you.”

Her eyes popped open. ”How'd you even know I was sick?”

”Alara called.”

”Son of a”-cough-”b.i.t.c.h.” She gave me a weak smile. I returned it until she started tilting sideways. Quickly moving forward, I caught her and held her up as I backed her into the common room. ”Woah, woah. You're okay. I've got you.”

I set her on the couch as she scowled at me. ”You don't have to stay. I'm perfectly”-cough-”fine. I can take care of”-cough-”myself.”

”Sure you can.” I gave her a pat on the head, which she weakly swatted at, before I went to the kitchen and grabbed a water bottle.

”I'm serious,” she grumbled, grabbing the water from me and taking a sip.

”Me too.” There was no trace of joking or compromise in my voice this time. ”I'm staying.”

”Whatever,” she mumbled as she got up and shuffled toward her bedroom.

I followed after her. ”Have you taken anything?”

”Are you still here?” she asked as she crawled into bed. Laughing at her dejected tone, I followed. She was lying curled away from me while I sat up against the headboard. She groaned when she felt the s.h.i.+ft and muttered, ”Fine. I guess you can stay.”

”Never up for debate, sweetheart.”

Naomi grunted. ”Has anyone ever told you you're annoying?”

”Probably just as many people that have told you you're a stubborn pain in the a.s.s.” She laughed and I'd thought she'd quickly fall asleep, but a few minutes of silence lapsed and she laughed again.

”What's so funny?” I asked.