The next morning began groggily. It was Friday morning and I was beat. I wasn’t used to taking care of people on an everyday basis and to be quite honest it was a handful. Max was already awake and working toward getting dressed. I helped her pour a bowl of cereal. I poured Ashley a bowl and put it on a tray and took it to her room. She was still in bed but she was awake. Along with her cereal was a painkiller and glass of orange juice. “Breakfast in bed?” She asked me as she sat up beneath the tray.

“Yeah, well we all need a day in bed.” I explained.

“Thank you, Spencer.”

“Anytime”

I began walking around and throwing on semi decent clothing for walking down the sidewalk. As I walked past Ashley’s door, she stopped me. I leaned into her doorway. “Yeah”

“When you get back from walking her to the bus stop, can you come in here?” She asked seriously.

I didn’t have time to ask why so I just agreed and didn’t think much else of it. I walked Max quickly to her bus stop. It was cold and so I walked twice as fast on my way back home. I walked straight past Ashley’s door telling her to hold on. I changed into thick pajamas to try and get warm. I ran to Ashley’s room and immediately jumped on the bed and beneath the covers. “I hope you don’t mind, but I am freezing.” I said wrapping myself in the warmth of the blankets.

“I don’t mind in the least.” She said before looking at me with a serious expression. Her eyes were glistening. They were slightly glossy from her pain medication, but still the most beautiful eyes I had seen in a long time. “This may be the painkillers in me but…” She paused.

“What is it?” I asked, starring at her.

“There is something I want to do, but I’m not sure you will approve of it.” Her lips jumped slightly after her words left her mouth. Her eyes looked down at my lips and back up into my eyes. “I don’t want things to get weird,” she began to ramble. “But it’s something I’ve wanted to do since I saw you at the hospital. And I’m hoping you don’t mind it…” I interrupted her.