"yeah I read it I read it actually a lot."
Chapter 4- Remember when?
Zay was actually legitimately sick. He had a 104 fever and hadn't moved out of bed all day. He was in and out of hazy sleepy dazes, half asleep and drowning in sweat. every now and then his mom would come and check on him. He didn't really pay attention to anything. There was no thud of the tennis ball. There was no reading or thinking or worrying. He didn't even remember Lucas until he came and knocked on the door.
"Zay? I know you're really sick. Can I come in?" Zay moaned. The door swung open. Lucas came in looking really worried. Zay didn't say anything. Lucas came over.
"I know you're too sick to do homework... But I thought you might like this assignment. Remember when we used to hole up in my room and read comics all the time? Remember how we had a favorite?" Zay stared at him for a second trying to register his words. He nodded.
"We've got this new English teacher. Surprisingly enough she's actually cool. Leather jacket, motorcycle, stood up to the principal, Ms. Luther from sixth grade would have NEVER done that..." Zay moaned to show he was still paying attention.
"She gave us a comic book to read. Batman Vs. Superman. Dude we used to read this! We used to wear our batman and superman shirts and play with the action figures and read it over and over trying to te the ending to be different... Remember?" Weak nod.
"Am I keeping you from sleeping? Should I go? Dude I'm sorry You're sick I should be more considerate..." Zay turned to look at his friend. He was overjoyed that his best friend had come to see him. He saw the comic book in Lucas' hand. He felt awful and really wanted to sleep but there was something deep inside of him that wanted, longed to hang out with his friend, even if he was sick. Like really really sick. Like he wanted to throw up right now. But he managed to not throw up and said in a moan,
"read it..." Lucas' face lit up with a smile and he settled in on a box, one of the few moving boxes still unpacked, winter clothes he thought, and flipped the comic open. He started reading. When Lucas read out loud he put expression into his words, especially if it was a story he loved. As he read his voice got excited and went fast. Zay felt as if they were in Lucas' bedroom again playing with action figures. His batman action figure sat on a shelf nearby and he turned to look at it. Lucas had the Superman action figure. No one else knew about it. It was their thing. Lucas kept reading and he was getting more and more into it.
Zay couldn't help but smile. This was their thing.
The comic came to a close. Lucas and Zay were both grinning.
"I hope you feel better soon Zay."
"Thanks..." He mumbled, thanking Lucas for everything. It had been one of the best days of his life since he'd moved here.
And then he went to go puke as soon as Lucas left.