The next day I went to school because I knew if I didn't mom would have a heart attack. I still went even though I woke up feeling a bit worse than yesterday.

Now not only was my throat sore but I had a bad headache. Dad told me to stay home but mom was right, I should just brush it off and go to school.

"No offense, but you sound and look terrible." Mateo gives me a look as we sat down on a table during lunch.

I rub my hands over my face and groan.

"I feel it too." I said, slouching on the chair.

"Yikes. You should go to the doctor." Lola says when she comes to the table, setting down her food tray.

"I don't even have an appetite to eat anything! That's how you know something's wrong." I said resting my face on my fist.

" How was yesterday? Sorry I couldn't come anymore, had tons of homework" Lola kisses Mateo on the cheek as she sits down.

"It's fine, I was mostly in bed the whole day." Which wasn't exactly a lie, I was in bed, with Heath.

Not like that, I literally was in my bed with him next to me. Nothing dirty...

I think back to yesterday when I gave him somewhat of a makeup tour and taught him the basics to makeup. I even managed to put on some mascara on him but he wiped it off right after.

Still, it was pretty fun.

"Oh my god, Thalia! You've heard of the end of the year party for the seniors, right?" Lola asks and I nod.

"Are you planning on going? It's next weekend". She says, eating some of her food.

"I'll go if you guys go. I don't want to be a loner if I go alone." The pain in my headache was coming in harder.

I couldn't manage to stay home another day, my grades were okay but I wanted to do better. I only just started trying for better grades this year, I wanted to make my mom proud because I know how much education means to her.

Plus with college coming up, I can't risk having bad grades. I don't think I even want to go to college but mom says that I have to go, kinda hypocritical since she dropped out herself.

"We're definitely going, it's gonna be at someone's house by the beach, so bring a swimsuit. We could ride there together if you want." She offers and Mateo reaches for some of the fries on her tray.

"Sure, I gotta check if I'm free though." I said even though I obviously was.

"Right. Let me know if you have time for us in your busy schedule." Lola smirks, probably knowing that I was making that up.

When school was finally over I went straight home and right to bed. I jumped face first into my bed and tried to sleep but my headache didn't let me.

I pull out my phone and check my messages, I hadn't used my phone all day which is why I just now noticed a message from Heath.

You didn't text me

I read his message, realizing how I completely forgot to text him. The last couple of days I had made it a routine to check up on him, I didn't think he actually looked forward to my messages but his text tells me he probably secretly does like them.

Did you miss hearing from me? It's been one day.

I text back, seeing as he texted me four hours ago. To my surprise he responded quickly, he was probably waiting for me to text him, now I feel bad for forgetting to even text him.

No

He responded and I laugh, he's so cute when he tries not to care. Maybe he didn't care at all but I think somewhere deep, deep in him he likes my company.

Ok, I guess I'll go then. idk might ttyl

I reply, only to see if he'd respond with something or respond at all. I put my phone aside and lay on my back. My phone rings and I see a message from him already

ttyl?

He probably doesn't know what that stands for. I've noticed how he didn't know many popular shows or references, I thought maybe it was because he never had an interest in these kinda things or maybe he never cared for them.

But even my dad knows Mean Girls and he's old. Not too old but older.

I don't know might Talk to you later

I text back and I see the three dots meaning he was typing back already.

K

He responds back two seconds later , is it just me or is he being dry now?

That's what it stands for, duh

I sigh, shaking my head. He's clueless, it's adorable.

Oh

I laugh, he's so unintentionally funny it's cute sometimes. My laugh comes out sounding like a puking cat and I'm glad no one was around to hear that.

LMAO, you know what that means right? :)

I message, still chuckling at his texts.

Obviously

I read that in his voice and smile. Hey, excuse me for asking but he's the same guy that didn't knew what ttyl meant.

I put my phone away and just stare up at the ceiling. A couple of minutes later my phone rings again and I read the message

Wyd

It was Heath, again. He's being awfully chatty today. But I don't mind. I think he's starting to warm up to me.

In bed, still sick :(

Wyd? Send a pic!

I quickly text and crack my fingers.

Pic of what you're doing. Not anything dirty.

I clear up just in case he got the wrong message.

Duh

He responds and I laugh at him, I get up to my closet and change into some comfy clothes while I wait for him to respond.

I check my phone and see he finally sent a picture. Oh my...

The picture was of him cooking something on the stove and I could clearly see him in the background, with his shirt off. Revealing some really toned abs and a few small tattoos on his lower chest. He held a spatula in one hand and his phone was in his other hand. But his face wasn't in the picture.

It took me a second not gonna lie before I could finally take my eyes off the picture. You bet your butt that I screamed into my pillow and kicked my feet when I saw the pic.

Cool

I respond with something chill so that he wouldn't think I was obsessing over some picture he sent.

We should hang out Friday night, are you busy?

I think him and I need another hangout together and It'd be nice if he socialized with some friends too.

No

I think he was saying no he wasn't busy but if he was saying no to hanging out, he has too or I'll make him.

Good, invite Duke I like him

I quickly text and he reply's a few minutes later.

You Like him?

He asked and I tie my hair up in a ponytail because I was starting to get heated over here.

Yeah, he's cool and funny so make sure he gets invited

I send the text and he takes a while to respond this time. He was probably busy cooking.

k

He replied and I left it at that. I turn on my fan and lie down finally trying to get some sleep. Although I'm hot I still put the blanket over me because I like the soft feeling.

My throat burns but I try to sleep anyway. And Eventually I do.

—————————————————————

A/N

Thanks for reading 🌟

7/10/22