Arthur Sakho

When I entered the studio, Sam and Danny were sitting in a corner, nestled together, holding hands. They had finally gotten together over winter break. Ever since classes started again they were always cuddled together and I loved it. I set my bag and water bottle down near the spot where Alice and I usually practiced together and then crossed the room.

"You two are just the cutest," I greeted them.

Danny smiled up at me. "Our chemistry when we dance is going to be through the roof now," he said.

"Now I'm just waiting for the wedding," I teased.

"Shhh," Danny said. "Don't scare her away."

"Hi guys," Alice said as she came up behind me. I looked over my shoulder to see that she had placed her bag and water bottle next to mine. "What are you talking about?"

"Danny and Sam's wedding," I said.

Alice smiled. "I know I said it when I first found out you two were dating, but it's about time."

"It really is," I agreed.

"Now Alice just needs to find someone," Sam said, "and we can all go on a triple date or something."

"I might have someone soon," Alice said. "There is someone I like and I'm working on getting him."

I hadn't realized I was still worried about her liking Trevon until that moment when I completely relaxed inside at her words. Not that I thought she could steal him from me. She couldn't, but at least now I wouldn't have to worry about her contacting him or making off handed comments.

"That's great," Sam said. She finally let go of Danny's hand to stand up. "Then we can all go on that triple date together and there doesn't need to be any weird feelings."

"That's a possibility," Alice said.

Mrs. Madsen walked in and we went back to our places. We stretched first and then continued learning choreography for the spring recital. We would be dancing as a group, but I was paired mostly with Alice again. It was the most comfortable I had been around her in a long while.

It didn't take long to work up a glistening perspiration. I took a sip from my water bottle while Alice took one from hers. The water tasted funny. It hadn't been that long since I washed it, but maybe it had mold or something growing inside. I unscrewed the lid and looked inside. Everything looked perfectly normal. I tightened the lid on it once again and quickly went back to dancing. After Mrs. Madsen and her assistant went through the next bit of choreography, I sipped more water. I usually drank the entire thing by the time I left but this time I left a little bit. Partially because it tasted strange and partially because my stomach was starting to feel a little queasy.

"We're going to grab something for dinner," Danny said after class. "Do you want to come with us?" He addressed this to both me and Sam. He had a sweaty arm draped around Sam's shoulders. She didn't seem to mind.

"I'll go," Alice said.

"No thank you," I said. "I'm going over to Trevon's tonight."

"He can come too," Danny said.

"Thanks for the offer, but I want him all to myself tonight. Maybe next time."

"I'll hold you to that," Danny said.

"Come on, Alice," Sam said. She reached out to Alice and hooked her arm in hers. "You can tell us about the guy you are interested in. Let's go."

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"See you tomorrow," Danny said to me.

I let them go first and then retrieved my bag and water bottle. I sent a quick text to Trevon just to let him know I was through and going home to shower. By the time I drove to my apartment complex, I had a response from him.

Tall Dark and Handsome: Ok. I'll see you soon. Should I order something and have it delivered?

The thought of food made my stomach flip.

Me: Just get something for you. I'm not feeling well. I might be coming down with a stomach bug or something.

I unlocked my apartment door and stepped inside. I set my bag down by the front door and then went and put my water bottle by the kitchen sink to remind me to wash it before I used it again. I was heading to my bedroom when my phone rang. Of course it was Trevon.

"Are you okay? Do you need to go to the doctors?" he asked before I could even say hello.

"It's not that bad," I said. "Maybe I had some mold or something growing in my water bottle. The water tasted a little funny. Or I could have just caught a stomach bug. We are at a school surrounded by hundreds if not thousands of different people every day. It's easy to catch something."

"I can take you to the doctors if you want," he offered.

I smiled at his thoughtfulness. I dug sweats out of my drawers because I just wanted to be comfortable tonight. And Trevon and I had been together long enough now that I didn't have to constantly look good in front of him. "No thank you. A stomach bug doesn't last very long. Maybe I should stay home so you don't catch it."

"If it's me you're worried about, I'd rather hold you and catch it then be alone and healthy. Unless you just want to stay home and relax. You should do that if that's what you want."

"I can rest with you," I said. "If you don't mind me coming over then I'll go and let you hold me."

"Okay," he said. "See you soon."

We hung up and I got in the shower. My stomach tightened in a cramp. It had been awhile since I had gotten sick. Stomach bugs were the worst. After the shower, I went into the kitchen and took some medicine that would hopefully help my stomach.

I brought my bag with me just in case Trevon insisted I do my homework even though I wasn't feeling well. I hadn't ever been sick since I started dating him so I didn't know for sure what his reaction was going to be.

The strong smell of garlic hit me when he opened his apartment door. I couldn't help but scrunch my nose up in disgust with the sudden roll that caused to my stomach.

"I was trying to hurry and finish eating before you got here," he said. "Garlic bread and spaghetti. Go sit on the couch and get comfortable. I'll clean up." He took my bag from me and set it on the floor next to his coffee table. He disappeared into the kitchen. I sat on his couch and turned on the t.v. I flipped it to a comedy. I tried to get comfortable on his couch, but my stomach cramped again and my arms felt cold. I went into his bedroom and grabbed the blanket off his bed. I went back to the couch and curled up under the blanket. About ten minutes later he came back in. The smell of the food was quickly dissipating.

"Do you want some tea or water or something?" he asked me.

"No," I said. I grabbed his hand and pulled him weakly next to me. There was a minty quality to his breath so I knew he had also brushed his teeth. I moved the blanket so it covered both of us. He curled his arms around me and I cuddled into his side with my head on his shoulder.

We watched a few episodes of the comedy when he said, "You must really be sick. You aren't laughing at any of the jokes."

"Mmm," was all I said in response. I was exhausted and my eyes drooped close. But the stomach cramps also had me holding my stomach. I wished the medicine would kick in soon. Maybe it was because I hadn't eaten dinner, but despite the stomach cramps, I didn't actually feel like I had to go to the bathroom or that I was going to throw up.

His hand lifted from my side to my forehead. "You don't have a fever," he said. His breath brushed against my skin. It was soothing. "You'd better stay home tomorrow."

I pulled back enough just to look at his face. "Will you stay with me?" I asked not really expecting him to. He loved going to classes and learning and doing homework and reading. He was the biggest nerd ever. But I loved him.

"If that's what you want," he said, surprising me.

I put my head back on his shoulder. "I don't know if that's what I want. Ask me again in the morning."

"Alright," he said.

"Does that mean I don't have to do homework tonight?"

"I'm not going to force you to do homework when you're sick. Just relax and get better." He caressed the top of my head with his cheek.

"Okay," I said. I went back to watching the comedy. Everything went dark and still until Trevon nudged me awake.

"Go to bed," he said gently.

I stood up and took his hand. I led him into the bedroom. I tried to pull him onto the bed so he could cuddle with me, but he said, "Let me change out of these clothes."

I was all for that. I settled back on the bed and watched him as he changed into sweatpants. He pulled out a t-shirt to put on, but I said, "No shirt."

He smirked at me. "You're a bit of a satyromaniac even when you're sick."

"You're such a nerd even when I'm sick," I said. I'd never heard that term before. Satoromaniac. He clambered into the bed next to me without putting on a shirt.

He held me in his arms while I placed my head over his chest. I quickly fell asleep.