DYLAN WILSON

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A few days passed by and I still didn't get a chance to talk to Catherine. It's not because I didn't have the time but I think it was because I kept holding back. I thought, if I asked her about what happened, maybe she'll know that I spied on them. That's won't be good. Catherine would just get mad. I didn't know how to approach this. Ugh! It's pissing me off! I slammed the book I was reading and everyone looked at me. I forgot that I was in the library.

"Keep it down!", one student whispered.

"Sorry.", I whispered back. I closed the book and fixed my things. I went out of the library and walked towards my car. I actually got a new car. It was a Honda but I don't know what the hell this car's name is. It was a sports car and I liked it. I've been saving up for this baby and I finally got one. Speaking of saving, I know how to talk to her now! I rushed back home with my car and I arrived really quick. Duh, this is a sports car. I stepped out of the car and hurriedly ran to my room. Without even caring to change, I opened my closet and found the bag where the watch was placed. Remember that watch Catherine was saving up for? I haven't given this to her yet. Alright! I'll give this to her tomorrow. I'll make sure that I'll be able to finally talk to her. I hope what I'm doing is right. It's really making me uncomfortable. I sighed. There was silence in the room. I was at a loss for words. Little did I know, I finally dozed off.

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CATHERINE MCMILLAN

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I woke up with a really high fever. My head was spinning and it ached so bad that it made me throw up. I decided not to go to school today since I was too weak to even sit up. Jacob was with me the whole morning since his shift was still this afternoon. But as time went by, Jacob went for work, leaving me alone in my condition. He promised to come after work though so I felt relieved since I'd have someone to stay with the whole night. I really hope that I'll be okay by tomorrow. The doorbell snapped me out of my thoughts. Wait, how in the world am I going to open that damn door when I'm too weak to even sit up?! Then I started crawling towards the door. Well yeah I could just say, it's open but Jacob locked the door before leaving. After 5 minutes, I was still crawling. I didn't have enough strength, to be honest. I was really weak. Ten minutes later, I finally reached the door when someone already opened it. I looked up and saw Dylan with the landlady.

"What one earth are you doing?!", the landlady asked worriedly.

"I wanted to open the door since it was locked but I was too weak to walk so I decided to crawl but I guess it almost took me about ten minutes just to walk a 5-step distance.", I jokingly replied. Dylan's face was not sad  or happy. Was he mad? He immediately picked me up and carried me to my bed. He covered me in my sheets and placed the plastic bag and a paper bag on top of the table beside me. I heard the door close, meaning the landlady already left.

"What are you doing here? Don't you have classes right now?", I asked.

"When I knew that you had fever, I just rushed here and bought some stuff along the way for you to eat. Also, I bought you fruits so you could eat them too and some energy drinks so you won't be too weak like how you are now. Also, I - ", I cut him off by placing my hand on top of his mouth.

"I get it. Thanks. I really appreciate this Dylan.", I plainly said as I tired my best to plaster a smile. He placed back all the things back and sat beside me. 

"Are you feeling a bit better?", he asked as he placed his hand on my forehead. Wow. This is making me embarrassing and I don't know why. I composed myself so I wouldn't be obvious.

"Not really though. My head is also starting to hurt and I'm having headaches a lot.", I replied. Dylan made a worried face and came closer to me.

"What's wrong?", I asked. Dylan looked like he was looking for the right words to say to me. Then finally, he spoke.

"Is that your illness? You know, that?", he asked.

"I think so. I haven't been to the doctor for months now.", I replied. Dylan looked so serious. I was getting nervous by how close our faces were. We were only inches a part and I guess Dylan didn't notice since he looked like he was in deep thought. Heeey.. I just thought of something to tease him! I don't know if this is right but I've been wanting to do this for a while now. Just as I was to go closer, he closed his eyes and pulled away. It made me stop and I felt like my face was turning hot and my body felt so hot too. I felt embarrassed. Unable to look at him, I hid under the blanket. Ugh! Just when the mood was good, my attempt was a total fail. I'm do genius. How stupid could I get? Good going Catherine.

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DYLAN WILSON

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I opened my eyes and sighed. I was really worried about her. I didn't want her to be like this. But when I looked at her, she was now hiding under the blanket. Why one earth would she hide under a blanket?

"Catherine? What's wrong?", I asked. I tried to pull the blanket away but I could feel a force like someone was trying to hold the blanket as tight as they can. I mean, what happened? Did something happen? Now I'm confused.

"Nothing. It's not like I was about to do something embarrassing.", she replied. Gosh, she just stated the obvious.

"Really? And what were you attempting to do?", I asked. But before Catherine could reply, she peeked to look at me with only one of her eyes. What the hell was she embarrassed about?! She went back under the blanket to hide. Geez, is she a child or what? Well, she does have a fever so I'll reconsider it. I went closer to her. A minute passed and she was motionless. I got worried and forcefully pulled the blanket away. Now, we were both face to face with each other. Chatherine's eyes was wide as the sea and her face was as red as the rose. She looked cute actually, especially when she's this close. I looked at her and the beating of my heart paced. I felt nervous all of a sudden and a bit jittery. I dodn't know why but I had the urge teeling me to kiss her. Honestly, I've wanted to kiss her but I don't think friends should kiss each other though. But this was different, I guess. I felt something weird. Something new to me. I don't know why and my head was full of questions. Catherine closed her eyes and her face was calm. Her held my wrist a bit tightly. I just stared at her and my urges just got persistent. Then right there, our lips met. Her lips were so soft and small. It was like it wasn't kissed before, I startled a bit when I knew that Catherine was kissing me back. She was kissing me back? How lucky could I get? I gently kissed her with care. I felt like her lips were so fragile. She cupped my right cheek and I placed my hand on top of her hand. A few seconds later, we pulled apart. We were silent for a moment and Catherine dind't look at me. I glimpsed at her and I saw her blushing face.

"I ah, I'm sorry. I guess I shouldn't have done that.", I apologized. I felt a bit guilty for kissing her.

"It's okay. I was just shocked.", she replied. The atmosphere was so awkward. My heart was beating so fast and I was really feeling nervous and embarrassed.

"I probably should get going.", I stood up and opened the door. Half way of exiting the room, I heard a whisper saying "don't go.". I turned around and Catherine was just sitting on her bed, looking at me while hugging her pillow. I smiled at her and went back in the room. I closed the door and sat back beside her.

"Fine. I'll stay but I'm going home tonight, okay?", I asked her. 

"Okay. Jacob will spend the night here so I'm good.", she replied.

"I'll keep you company until he gets here. Alright?", I asked again and she nodded. 

"Do you need anything? Are you hungry? Sleepy?", I asked. She shook her head and said,

"I'm fine Dylan.", she replied.

"You can sleep. Don't worry, even if Jacob will already be here, I won't leave until I'll get your permission.", I assured her. She smiled and closed her eyes. Later, she fell asleep. I went out of the room and took my book. I could kill time by reading. I went back in and sat at her couch. Speaking of reading, I'm cutting classes today. I just thought of that. For me, Catherine's more important. I started reading but the umbrella that was standing at a corner caught my attention. This was the umbrella that she used when we first met. I glanced back at my book and continued reading. Recently, I noticed that Catherine changed. She used to be bully at her previous school but now, she's changed. I was reading a book about changes. While reading the 52nd chapter, there was a scene where Mario finally confessed his feelings towards his friend, Celine. Celine couldn't answer him back so she ran away instead. Wow, talk about being mean. A few days later, Celine went to the boy's house to finally tell him how she feelis about him only to discover that Mario already died. Mario was a sickly man though. Celine's stupid. She shouldn't have ran away. If I was Celine, I would tell him how I felt right away. You don't get a chance like that everyday. I'll tell how I feel so that I wouldn't regret not telling my feelings. I'm totally in to this book. I'm giving comments and stuff but I actually didn't experience all these. Never once in my life have I fallen in love and I never will. I think Catherine is interesting but I'm not going to cross the line. I will forever be friends with Catherine and I will never fall in love with her. "In love" is a big phrase and I will never take responsibility for that. Actually, I think being in love is stupid. I see a lot of people being heartbroken, being cheated, having an unrequited love, and such. I didn't like the looks of it so from then on, I tried my best to avoid that hurdle. Well, I can't say I could avoid it but I've been successful from avoiding it these past years so I think I can still manage to stay away form this so called love until I graduate from college. 

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It was past eight in the evening and I heard Catherine's phone beep. It woke me up. I must have fallen asleep from reading. I sat up and I could hear Catherine's soft snore. I guess she was still sleeping. I went out of the room and nobody was here. I thought Jacob was coming? Why isn't he here? It's already late. Instead of being bothered by that, I made some porridge for Catherine's dinner. I could cook since I took culinary classes not too long ago. I sliced up some apples while the purridge was still cooking. I ordered a box of pizza for myself since Catherine couldn't eat this and I wouldn't let her since she has a fever. Ten minutes later, the porridge was done. I let it cool down for five minutes while I prepared the tray and washed the dishes. Later, the porridge was warm so I scooped some into a bowl and placed it on the tray. I placed a glass of water and the sliced apples. I knew that she loved Japan and I heard that in Japan, they cut their apples and shape it like a rabbit. Everything was ready and I carried the tray to Catherine's room. I gently closed the door and placed the tray on the table beside her.  I looked at Catherine and she was already awake.

"Good morning Catherine. Dinner is ready.", I greeted her. She tried to sit up and I assisted her. I placed a pile of pillows behind her back so she could rest her self. 

"I don't wanna eat.", she said.

"No. you have to eat or else no rabbit apples.", I teased her. Her eyes widend a bit and looked at the tray beside her. She spotted the rabbit-shaped appples and looked back at me.

"Did you do all that? Including the porridge? You could cook? Really?", she asked as if she was shocked. 

"Yeah, I did. So eat up. Alright?", I asked and she nodded.

"But I couldn't eat by myself. Jacob spoonfed me during breakfast.", she told me. Say what?! I have to spoonfeed you? I have never spoonfed anyone, even my own sister! 

"Okay. As long as you'll eat, then I'll spoonfeed you.". Half way of finishing the porridge, my phone rang.

"You're parents are probably worried.", she said.

"Don't worry. I'll explain everything to them.", I replied as I went out of the room.

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CATHERINE MCMILLAN

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Dylan's parents called and so he went outside to talk to them. Just then, my phone rang. I looked at who was calling and it was Jacob.

"Hello?", I asked. 

"Catherine? It's Jacob. Sorry I can't make it tonight. I'm covering for your shift so I'm still working up until now. I'm really sorry.", Jacob explained.

"That's okay Jacob. Dylan's here with me. He's been taking care of me since this afternoon. He actually made me some porridge for dinner and rabbit-shaped apples for dessert!", I excitedly told him. He was silent for a while and then he finally spoke.

"That's good. At least someone's there taking care of you and cooking you dinner. He must be really worried about you.", Jacob said. 

"I think so too. So are you not going to sleep here tonight?", I asked.

"Probably not. Sorry Catheirne. I'll be there the day after tomorrow. I'm covering your shift so you would still have your annual salary rate.", Jacob replied. Aww. Jacob's so sweet.

"Thanks Jacob. I owe you big time!", I thanked him.

"No problem Catherine! I gotta go. Manager's calling me.  Bye!" . Jacob hanged up and just in time, Dylan came in. I wonder if he'll go home already. That would mean I will be lonely. That thought made me sad.

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DYLAN WILSON

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"Where  are you Dylan? It's already past nine."

"I'm here at Catherine's house. She's sick. She has cancer and she's currently having fever. No one's taking care of her and I really want to take care of her."

"Oh. As long as you're okay Dylan, then that's not a problem."

"By the way dad, do you know any doctor for brain cancer?"

"Why, of course! Why?"

"I wanted to ask if Catherine could have a treatment. I'll cover up for the expenses."

"What made you say that?"

"I just want to cure her illness even if it's just step by step because she's my friend."

"You have a friend? Why didn't you introduce us to her?"

"I'll find the right time to do that but right now, I need your help dad."

"Alright. I'll call the doctor right now. I'll do what I can and I'll text you later."

"By the way dad, can I stay over here for the night? No one's going to be with her until tomorrow."

"Heh. So you've finally matured."

"I'm not doing anything to her dad. Stop with the jokes."

"Haha. Okay son. You take care of her. I'll explain everything tomorrow. I'll just text you whether the doctor approves or not."

"Okay dad. Thanks a lot. I knew I could count on you."

"Of course you can. I'm your dad."

"Thanks dad. So, I'll hang up now."

"Okay. Just wait for my text."

"Roger that."

I hanged up my phone and tucked it inside my pocket. I went in Catheirne's room and sat beside her.

"I told my dad where I'm at and he said it's okay if I'll stay for the night. That's if Jacob won't come. It's already nine thirty."

"He just called me not too long ago and told me he couldn't come tonight. I told him you were with me and he's fine with it.", Catherine replied.

"That's settled then. I'll be with you tonight. Let's finish your dinner while it's still warm.", I said but when I looked at the bowl, it was already empty. Even the rabbit-shaped apples were already gone. I looked at her and she smiled. I smiled back at her.

"Looks like someone was holding back.", I teased her.

"No I wasn't!", she denied. Just like that, we teased each other. I didn't care if she teased me a lot. As long as she's smiling again, I could bear the teasing. The night went deeper and everything outside was dark. I lowered the aircondition and tucked Catherine under a thick blanket I took out of her closet. I went beside her and kneeled down.

"Are you comfortable?", I whispered and she nodded. I stood up and turned off the lights. The night lamp was the only light on. I went to the sofa and laid down and went to sleep. Hours later, I woke up and sat up. I looked at my phone and it was still one am. I stood up and went to the kitchen to have a glass of water. After drinking, I washed the glass and placed it back in the dryer. I went back to Catherine's bed room. I sat beside her and touched her forehead. She was hotter than she was a while ago. I took her temperature and it was really high. I gently woke her up since I remembered she was supposed to take her medicine every three hours and it's already been four hours. That explains why she's so hot despite the aircondition being so cold. She woke up and I leaned in close to her.

"You need to take your medicine.", I whispered. She just made a sound and I helped her sit up. I placed my right arm on her back so she wouldn't fall and gave her the medicine. She took it and I gave her a glass of water. 

"Thanks.", she said.

"You're welcome. Now, let's go back to sleep. I'll wake you up again later for your medicine, alright?", I asked her.

"Okay Dylan.", she replied. I helped her lay down and tucked her back under her thick blanket. I increased the temperature of the aircondition so that it would be a bit warmer. I laid back down on the sofa and I heard Catherine say,

"Thanks for taking care of me Dylan. I owe you -", she said but her voice wasn't clear anymore becasue when I looked at her, she already fell asleep. Taking care of her feels nice. It's like taking responsibility of something and I haven't done this before so it's a whole new experience. I'm happy though that Jacob wasn't able to come because not only that I could spend more time with her, but I could still take care of my sickly friend whom I really care about.

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Yey! Chapter 14 is out guys! what do you think of Dylan taking care of Catherine? they even did something in which both of them agreed on! So let me know your thoughts by commenting! :)

P.S. Here's a picture of Dylan's cooked porridge. Doesn't it look yummy? This is advisable to eat if you have fever and you don't have the appetite to eat a meal.

-mitsuki09