03: Hot Chocolate/Hot Drinks- Cody and Sierra

It was Saturday, Cody's favourite day of the week, and that particular winter morning he awoke with the worst sinus headache in the history of headaches, or so he claimed. His nose couldn't decide whether to be clotted or gush like a snot fountain and his throat felt like sandpaper whenever he tried to talk. The youth tried to go back to sleep, but his constant coughing and runny nose made that impossible. His mother would still be in bed, so asking her for assistance was pointless. His father was at work, as was his elder brother, leaving the youngest child to suffer in solitude.

The brunette almost fell asleep when he felt his phone vibrate. He reached over to his dresser and fumbled for the cell. The screen was much too bright and he cringed as he tried to see who was bothering him on a Saturday.

Good morning Codykins! How are you?!

Oh God, not Sierra, anyone but her! Cody thought once "Total Drama" was over the obsessed fan would leave him alone. Unfortunately, she hadn't gotten the hint and instead proceeded to stalk him across the state. Every day she texted him at least twenty thousand times. Sometimes he replied, other times he couldn't bother. This was one of those not-going-to-bother days, or so he thought till his fingers started typing a reply, explaining his dilemma. At least if she lived far away he couldn't expect her to come bother him.

Not feeling great. Think I have a cold. He coughed into his flannel pyjama sleeve and groaned as his head pounded.

Almost immediately he got a reply. That's horrible! Is someone taking care of you?

Mom is asleep, Dad and Brendan at work, Cody typed.

I'll see you later today!

Cody wasn't exactly sure what she meant by that. How could he see her later if she was across the state? Maybe he read it wrong, perhaps he was hallucinating. He put the phone away and went to his private bathroom for some cold pills and Tylenol. Once those started working, perhaps he could sleep.

"Cody . . . Codykins, wake up!"

He groaned and rolled onto his side. Was he dreaming? He swore he heard Sierra's obnoxiously persistent voice ringing in his ears. Was he back on "World Tour"? Was it all a dream? Perhaps he wasn't sick. With this hope in mind, he opened his eyes to see Sierra in his bedroom. Cody's eyes widened and he let out what would have been a blood-curdling scream if his throat wasn't on fire. It was more like a high pitched squeak, but the terror was still present.

"Sierra? W-What are you doing here?" he half-whispered. Did his mother know his stalker was here? Cody self-consciously pulled the blankets up further around him. In his feverish daze he had gotten rid of his flannel pyjamas before he overheated. Now with Sierra in his room, he would give anything to have those back on.

She giggled, her purple and brown braid tickling his face as she leaned over. "Oh silly, don't you remember? I told you I was coming!"

"I-I didn't think you were serious! Does my mother know you're here?"

"Who do you think let me in? She got called into work and said I could stay and look after you. She checked on you this morning but you were sleeping," Sierra explained.

Cody quirked an eyebrow. "Wait, so you drove all this way just to take care of me when I'm sick?"

She nodded. While this was incredibly creepy on a variety of levels, he had to admit, what she did was also incredibly thoughtful. He calculated how long it would have taken her to get there, and he guessed it was around four in the afternoon. He had slept away most of the day, but at least his fever was mostly gone, unlike the rest of his symptoms.

Sierra reached to the bedside table and handed him a box of tissues. "I stopped off at the grocery store and picked up some things. Would you prefer tea or hot chocolate?" She pulled two boxes out of her bag and the blue eyed boy thought it over as his darker skinned partner waited patiently. He reached over and pointed to the hot chocolate. Even when sick he couldn't resist sweets.

"I'll go make some, and soup. You stay here, okay Sugar Bear?"

Despite the horrid nickname, he nodded all the same. Cody laid his head back on the pillow and sighed as he heard her leave. When she came back about ten minutes later, he was almost asleep again. He heard her turn on the TV he had in his room and pop in a movie.

"What you doing?" he muttered, half opening his eyes in her direction. She was in sweats and a t-shirt, something casual unlike her other crazy outfits she usually wore. She looked almost normal.

"I thought I'd put in your favourite," she stated then turned to him with a smile and cup in hand. "The soup will be another few minutes, but drink this."

Cody did as he was told and his insides felt toasty warm. The credits for his favourite childhood series started to play and he found himself smiling for the first time that day.

As promised, the soup was brought up and Sierra helped him sit up. If she noticed his lack of clothing, she made no comment which he was grateful for. He noticed soon enough that she had no place to sit, so he moved over on the bed, letting her take up the left side. Cody caught her elation and shrugged it off. It was logical to let her on the bed; he'd be a horrible host if he made her stand, even if he was sick.

"Thanks," he croaked as he slurped the much appreciated snack. "When do you have to go back?"

Sierra shrugged. "My parents are on vacation so it's just me at the house. I can go whenever."

Cody nodded. "You can stay overnight in the guest room if you want. It'll be too dark for you to drive back," he whispered and leaned against the headboard as his eyes shut halfway.

"Really Codykins? Are you sure? I don't want to impose!" He knew for a fact she would always impose, that was her nature, but at this point he was just grateful for the company. Being sick and alone was the worst combination.

He nodded and placed the bowl on the table so he could lie down. When he did, his head bumped into Sierra's side and he felt her jump. He tried to move, but she gently grabbed his head and placed in on her lap. He didn't have much of a choice, especially since he was at the perfect angle to watch the television, so he allowed her to manhandle him for the time being, at least until he was strong enough to fight her off.