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Chapter 4
Well, now that Eden was gone awkward silence hangs over both of us, like a heavy wool blanket. I scour my brain looking for something to say, anything really. Maybe I could mention how the clock in the living room, where we currently were, is alway five minutes faster because it reminded Eden to leave for whatever appointment he had. Or I could mention why the third stair had a large scratch across it, I attempted cooking. Before I had a chance to say anything June startles me out of my stupor with her concerned questioning, or should I say interrogation.
"How long have you been sick?" I open my mouth to respond but she beats me to it. "No longer than twenty hours, you were fine yesterday." Well, I guess she's right. "Not food poisoning, we ate the same things yesterday. Might be a virus. Do you feel like you have fever?"
"I feel a little warm," I blurt out before she keeps talking, so I don't feel left out in this conversation which was currently being kept alive single handidly by June. "Since this morning, when I woke up."
"Go lay down Daniel, I'll get you an ice pack," She smiles and walks through the archway leading to the kitchen. I guess all these apartments have extremely similar layouts. Head spinning I decide that for once it would be a good idea to follow directions and do as told. The minute my head hits the couch cushions I breathe a big sigh of relief, thanking whatever god takes charge of feverish headaches for giving me a little relief. Taking a quick second I assess everything I'm feeling, aching limbs, fever, slight dizziness and a fast beating heart, which may or may not have anything to do with the girl in my kitchen. Feeling my eyelids droop I struggle to stay awake, a struggle I quickly lose.
OoOoOo
I'm floating, somewhere is the veil between consciousness and dreams. Through a mist, a shroud I see a girl with dark hair and a mysterious smile placing something on my forehead, she leans down and places a soft kiss on my cheek. I feel a cold dribble from my forehead down across my semi-closed eyelids and down the flat plane of my cheek, and suddenly I fall through the brink, into a deep dreaming sleep. The same girl is kissing my cheeks, eyelids and forehead, and liquid is once again running across my cheeks. But this time the liquid is hot, and streaming from my eyes. Tears. The scene is shaking, bumpy, even my dream self can tell we're moving. A train.
OoOoOo
When I wake I can't help but feel like I've lost something, something important. My catnap is full of memories of fevers, dripping water and soft, kind kisses, but I can't place my finger on whatever caused me to feel so lost.
"The patient has awaken," I turn my head to see June curled up in the loveseat, feet tucked under her with a book in her hands. Little wisps of hair have escaped her severe ponytail and frame her face, she looks so much younger, so real.
"What are you reading there?" I ask, unable to see the cover of the book at this angle, but it looks like she's a quarter way through it already.
"Oh, A Secret Garden. I kinda took it from your bookshelf, hope you don't mind." She looks more cheeky than sorry. Turning my head I see that there is indeed a gap the middle shelf of our bookcase, it looks like a mouth with a missing tooth.
"Nope, I don't mind at all. Which part are you at?" One of my little secrets is that this is one of my favourite books, my mother use to read it to me before bed.
"Umm.." She flips back a couple pages. "Chapter 4," I contemplate asking her to read aloud, because she is at my favourite part. "Do you want me to read out loud?" June looks at me, from across the room.
"Sure," I shrug, nonchalantly. She walks over, using her hands to gesture that I should fold up my legs, I do just that. She sits down on the end of the couch and starts reading, her methodical voice filling up the silence.
OoOoOo
Hours and chapters later my fever has gone down and time has past. The book has been finished and June stands to put it back on the shelf. I don't know if I should try to get up, I'm feeling better but I don't want to stumble in front of June.
"I should probably go," June says, looking at the clock in what I hoped was a wistful expression. "It's getting late." Turning my gaze to the time I realize it is already past dinner time.
"I didn't notice it was that late already!" I stand and slowly, but surely walk to where she's standing, following her as she makes her way towards the door. "Believe it or not I had a really good time," I give a small smile. June looks at me, her back leaning on the door. I really hope she agrees to a second date after this crappy one. Ok here it goes. "I would really like to do this again." Wait that sounded rude! "You know, if you want. We don't have to, I know this was probably a really crappy first date." Ok Daniel shut up. I keep quiet and await her verdict.
"I had a good time too. And I would love a second date." Her whole face lights up when she smiles and I feel dizzy again, this time it had nothing to do with the fever. June turns and walks away through the door, her ponytail swing in time with the sway of her hips. I smile to myself. If I wasn't mistaken I thought I heard humming.
OoOoOo
I dream that night of trains and tears again. And wake with a hollowness inside of me I try desperately to forget.
Don't forget to R&R!