It Follows Me

Chapter 4

Melissa sighed heavily as Nathan helped her inside Daley and Lex's house. She had her eyes closed and felt like she'd just faint at any moment after seeing Jackson. Her legs went numb and gave away. He then just scooped her up and got her to the couch.

Eric and Taylor were playing Dance, Dance Revelotion as Lex sat there sprawled out on the floor, eating popcorn and reading "To Kill A Mocking Bird".

"I hate this stupid game!" Taylor explained after she lost again.

Eric smiled. "Told ya, Babe. Now give Sugar Daddy some sugar," he said cockily, pouting his lips for a kiss. She groaned, rolling her eyes and that's when she noticed Nathan and Melissa.

"Mel!" she exclaimed, racing to help Nathan.

"No!" Nathan shouted. "Just get Daley. Tell her we need a cloth, some water, a few pillows, and a blanket," he ordered.

"Got it," she nodded assuringly. "C'mon, Lex," she said, grabbing Lex's hand and they ran off to find Daley; wherever she was.

Nathan placed Melissa on the couch as Eric kneeled next to the couch by Nathan, who was on his knees as well.

"Is she okay?" Eric asked in concern.

"She'll be fine... She's just a little tired, I guess," Nathan sighed, placing the back of his hand on her forehead to check for a fever. "She's burning up," he muttered. "DALEY!" he called over his shoulder. Eric took Melissa's hand.

"I'm coming!" Daley shouted, followed by Taylor and Lex; all three of them carrying various items Nathan had asked for. Daley sat next to her boyfriend. "How high is the fever?" she asked, taking note of Melissa's flushed cheeks.

"I don't know. Taylor..." Nathan said, turning to the blonde.

"Are you kidding me? I'm already sweating," Taylor whined to her ex. He gave her a pointed look and would have yelled at her if she didn't butt in, "Fine! I'll go get the thermometer." She ran to the bathroom to get the other item.

About half an hour later, everyone was off doing there own thing. Daley was in the kitchen cooking dinner, Nathan was watching Daley with longing eyes, Taylor and Lex were playing some video game on the computer, but Eric wasn't doing anything normal. He was listening to the music Daley had turned on, hoping it would comfort Melissa and gazing at his sleeping friend.

The sky glows
I see it shining when my eyes close
I hear your warnings but we both know
I'm gonna look at it again

Eric ran a hand through Melissa's long black hair and frowned. Her skin was paler than usual and consumed in a cols sweat. He placed the back of his hand to her flushed cheek to check how arm she was, only to find her warmer. He sighed heavily, dabbing the side of her face gently to cool her off.

He licked his lips and placed a gentle kiss on her temple. Her lips parted slightly and she let out a painfully slow moan, stirring a bit.

Don't wait, don't wait
The road is now a sudden sea
And suddenly, you're deep enough
To lay your armor down
To lay your armor down
To lay your armor down

"She okay?"

Eric looked over his shoulder at Nathan and shook his head in response. "She's burning up... its all only getting worse," he muttered.

"What no quirky comments?" Nathan snapped harshly.

Eric shrugged, "Not when Melissa's like this..." Truthfully, seeing Melissa liked this made him want to hide away under a rock and cry, but he wouldn't do that. He couldn't. He just had to be strong.

Taylor sat next to him and placed her head on his shoulder, hugging him wanting and giving comfort. He just sat there, staring at Melissa and paid no attention to Taylor. Nathan took Taylor's arm and led her to Daley's room to work on homework. Taylor looked over her shoulder longingly at her boyfriend as Nathan took her upstairs.

You get one look
I'll show you something that the knife took.
A bit too early for my own good
Now let's not speak of it again

Melissa suddenly started rolling off the couch, her eyes opening. Eric caught her as she started crying, panic overtaking her. She looked up at him, "Eric..." She held onto him as her sobs shook her entire body.

"Melissa..." he started. She cut him off with a finger on his lips and shook her head. He nodded, hugging her tightly. She held back just as tight, biting back her sobs in the crook of his neck. The two sat like that for what seemed like forever.

Don't wait, don't wait
The road is now a sudden sea
And suddenly, you're deep enough
To lay your armor down
To lay your armor down
To lay your armor down

Melissa finally just collapsed in exhaustion, heaped in his arms. Eric set her back on the couch, tucking a blanket around her. She looked up at him and opened her mouth to speak, but nothing came out. He just chuckled slightly, gently dabbing her temple with a wet cloth. She smiled sadly, pulling his hand away.

"Cat got your tongue?" he asked. She nodded dumbfoundedly. "Let me try and loosen it," he insisted, leaning down. Both of them closed their eyes as they kissed each other. His tongue slipped into her mouth and she returned the French kiss, wrapping her arms around his neck.

Don't wait, Don't wait
The lights will flash and fade away
The days will pass you by
Don't wait
To lay your armor down