He climbed out of the car and started walking toward their house.
"Where's their house?" Anthony asked.
"Just around the corner," I answered weakly. "You better get going too, Kris is probably worried sick."
"Now look who's using the word 'sick'." He chuckled. "You enter the house first, before we go. I'll call you later to check if you're okay," he smiled.
"Okay. Drive carefully," I answered before I could stop myself. We sounded so... intimate. I shoved the thought away as I started toward the house, and finally entered it.
I was surprised that it was empty. Nanny Helena was nowhere in sight.
I called out but still no one answered. I found a note on the table beside the phone.
Andrea,
Call your mom as soon as you read this.
I obeyed the note, and mom picked up on the first ring.
"Drei, where were you? Were you with Jonathan last night?" her voice sounded hysterical.
"Yes mom, and I'm fine. Sorry if I didn't call Nanny Helena," I said, still feeling unusually dizzy."By the way, where is she?"
"I asked her to do something for me. Drew's busy so I didn't have any choice but to ask her
instead," she explained. "Will you be okay until tomorrow? She will be back by then."
I blinked. Tomorrow? Great. I'm feeling bad and Nanny's away. Making my voice sound a lot
better than I was feeling, I said, "Sure mom. Take care, okay?"
"I will. You too," then we hung up.
How will I ever make it through, with this sick feeling making it worse?
I stepped forward, thinking I could feel better if I lie down first. But my knees gave me away.
They almost melted. I got hold of the wall beside me, but I didn't remember if I got a hold on it or not. Everything went black.
I think I heard a phone ringing in the distance. Anthony, I thought. As much as I wanted to
answer it,my eyes just won't open.
***
Chapter 6
I didn't remember what happened after I passed out, which wasn't a surprise. I woke up on my
bed, which puzzled me. Did I crawl my way upstairs? Or did Nanny get home early and carry
me here? Nanny!
I got up from the bed, still feeling a little dizzy. But I could feel it was because of the long sleep. I glanced at the clock on my bedside table. 5pm. Five in the afternoon?
I made my way out of my room, careful with each step. I had no intention of passing out again. I
started down the stairs when someone from the kitchen emerged. I was so shocked I almost
tripped on the step I was taking.
"You shouldn't get up from the bed yet," Anthony said, looking worried.
"What are you doing here?" I asked, wide-eyed.
"I called your telephone this morning when I got home and you didn't answer so I drove up here and saw you unconscious on the floor," he said, placing the tray on the table.
"I'm okay now. Thanks," I said, holding the handrail tight.
"You have more color on your face now, but that doesn't mean you're totally okay," he said as he came to my side, assisting me down the remaining steps.
I let him hold my arm until the last step, and I wriggled from his grasp and stared at the table.
He noticed what I was staring at and said,"Oh. Dinner's ready," sounding like he was my
husband. I was hating my thoughts lately.
"You shouldn't have. That's too much already," I said, feeling ashamed as I sat on a chair.
"It's okay Drei. No problem," he said as he took the seat in front of me.
I served two bowls of the soup he made, and handed him one.
"No, I'm not hungry," he said.
"Eat. Or I won't."
He stared at me, shocked at how demanding I sounded.
I smiled. "Please?"
He looked relieved and got the bowl. His features were younger for his age.
We ate in silence. I broke it by saying,"Have you been here all day?"
He nodded, his mouth full of the soup.
"I'm so sorry Anthony. How can I ever repay you?" I asked, feeling indebt.
"It's really no problem Drei. Don't worry," he smiled.
Again, we fell silent.
"The soup's great, by the way," I said,smiling at him.
"I think I might ask one thing," he said, suddenly changing the topic.
I blinked. "Sure. Anything," I offered, feeling a little regret at the last word. Anything?
"Could you... watch me play?" he asked shyly.
I sighed in relief. "Sure. When?"
"We're in the playoffs now, and I was wondering if you'd watch until our last game. Sorry if it's too much, it's just that I'm graduating already, and it's my last year in the college league," he explained, trailing off at the last word. He looked like a little boy asking for a favor.
I smiled at him, amused at this shyness. He met my gaze and I said,"It's not too much, Anthony.
It's nothing compared to what you've done for me. I won't count that as my repayment. I'm still
indebted to you. But I assure you I'll watch until your last game. That would be..." I thought for a moment. "The finals." I smiled.
"Thanks Drei!" he smiled broadly. I wanted to take a picture of him wearing that same smile, but I know I couldn't.
"That's nothing. Again, I'm still indebted. So you could ask me any other favor in the future, don't forget that okay?" I said, feeling bad that I can't do anything big for him.
He didn't respond and his expression didn't change.
"Why?" I asked.
"Are you sure you still want me to ask you a favor in the future?" he asked, hesitating.
"Yea. A hundred percent sure," I said confidently.
He thought for a moment. "I'll keep that in mind."
~
I took care of the dishes and he sat on the living room, watching tv. I spent a little more time in the kitchen than I usually do, still unable to believe what was happening. My growing attraction
to him was a bit uncontrollable, and he has a share of the blame too. He was so kind to me. But
his
