Chapter Two:
Sick

"Oh my God!" Torie cried, "Here, let's get you back into bed!" She grabbed him under the shoulders and half-led/half-dragged him up the stairs. "Where's your room?" He pointed to the second door to the right. She heaved him into his bed and tucked him.

"Do you need anything?" She asked, "Water? Juice, perhaps?"

"No," He whispered, with a hoarse voice. She shook her head and grabbed the glass that was next to the bed and went into the bathroom. She rinsed it out, then filled it up with water.

"There, drink that. It'll make you feel better." He took a sip. "How's that?"

He smiled weakly at her, then laid back into his pillow, closing his eyes.

'God, he's hot,' Torie thought idly, reaching over to pull his sandy hair off his face. 'Who is he? Can't be the Lupin boy, can it? From what I've heard, he can't be hot.'

She barely touched his head, then pulled her and back, yelping as if she'd touched hot coals, effectively waking Remus up. "Wha'z' w'ong?" He asked, rubbing his eyes.

Nervously, she answered, "Nothing. But, is there a thermometer in here?" He pointed over to his dresser and she went to get it. She put it in his mouth and gasped when it read 105. "You're baking. Pull that blanket off!" He did so. She went to the bathroom again and searched for a washcloth, cool water running.

Once back in the bedroom, with the washcloth now damp, Torie placed it on his head, then pulled down his pajama pants and unbuttoned his shirt. She could see him shaking his head in embarrassment, but ignored it. "You're too hot. Just calm down, that brings you temperature up. It's nothing I haven't seen already. I have an older brother who walks around the house in just those."

Remus calmed down, falling back asleep.

As Torie wiped his face and forehead with the cloth in one hand, she traced the scars on his chest with the other fingers. 'How did he get these?" They must have been quite deep, to leave such a mark,' She thought.

Then, one caught her eyes. It was a bite mark-she was sure of that-but she couldn't recognize it. The animal must have bitten really hard though, as this scar was the worst and most noticeable of them all.

The bedroom door opened. "Remus, I got those supplies from Diagon Alley and I should be able to whip up that-oh, hello."

"Er-hello Mrs. Lupin," Torie said to the lady, "I'm Torie Malaekey. I had just come over to deliver this invite for my birthday party to Remus, and I heard someone moaning through the window. I-er-came in, and found him. He-uh-he puked at the bottom of the stairs as well."

"Oh, yes. I saw that," Mrs. Lupin said, sounding like she had no clue as to what Torie was talking about, "Well, thank you very much dear. Hopefully he'll be feeling better soon."

"Of course. It was no problem." Torie walked out of the bedroom and went down the stairs. At the bottom, lying forgotten, was a purple card. She set her invite on the banister, and headed out the door.

The phone rang just as Torie stepped in from getting her mother some groceries. "It's for you, Torie!" Mrs. Malaekey called.

Torie picked up the nearest phone and said, "Hello, this is Torie."

"Er-hi Torie," An unfamiliar voice said, "This is Remus Lu-"

"Oh, Remus! How are you feeling?"

"Much better. I was just calling to thank you for taking care of me the other day."

"It was my fault though, if I hadn't been so damn insistent-"

"But," He cut her off, "If you hadn't been, then it would have been all over my bed. It was inevitable. And I prefer it on the stairs over my bed."

"But, since you had gotten up, the acids in you stomach-"

"You know, most of the people I have ever talked to have just said 'You're welcome.' And that's the end of it." Remus' voice, however weary, was filled with amusment.

"It was no problem," She muttered, "But, now I really want to get to know you. There should be more to Remus Lupin, and I want to meet him. The man behind the-"

"-Puke?" He asked, laughing.

"I was going to say mask, but in this case, I think yours works better."

"I'm glad you approve." He was still laughing, causing her to giggle as well.

"Anyway, when would be a good time for you?"

"I dunno. How does tomorrow sound?" At about 11:30? We can have lunch in the forest."

"The forest?" Torie asked nervously, "Aren't they supposed to be dangerous?"

"Not if you're with the right people," He answered cheekily, "Trust me, we'll be fine. I have a way with animals."

"Okay then, it's a date. I'll see you then, Remus. Bye."

"Good-bye Torie."

Click.

Torie dropped the receiver in horror. Had she just been flirting with the weird kid in the neighborhood? Did she just tell him it was 'a date'?

This was not good, certainly not good. It wasn't even bad. It was terrible.

Remus stared at the phone. Had he just flirted with a girl he puked all over the only time he met her? Did he just ask her on a date?

"Oh shit," They both said.