Page 61 of Tangled

“Yes,” I answer, trying not to cry. It seriously feels like an elephant is standing on my head and my chest.

“Oh, Liv. I’m sorry hun. Have you taken anything?”

“Yup.”

“Okay, remember to put a humidifier in your room tonight and rub Vic’s on the bottom of your feet, then put on your socks.”

“Ewww, that’s disgusting, Perry!” I choke out before erupting into a coughing fit.

“I know it sounds weird, but trust me, it helps.”

“Fine,Mom,” I tease, but I know she wouldn’t recommend it if she didn’t believe it. It must be something she posted about on her blog.

“So, how are things going with Kane?” She asks, and I welcome the distraction from how horrible I feel.

“So great. Our date was phenomenal, and all week, he’s been stopping by during our prep period to talk or give me a kiss, just because he was thinking about me…. Oh, shit!”

“What?” Perry reacts to my realization.

“I’m supposed to go out with him this weekend. I can’t do that sounding and looking like this,” I cry, more upset at the fact that I don’t get to see Kane than how sick I feel.

“Hey, he’ll understand. The man probably will thank you for not spreading your germs.”

“I know, but I was really looking forward to our next date. Ireallylike him, Perry…”

“I can tell, Liv. I’m truly happy for you. Who would have known this would happen after coming home, huh?” And she’s right. The fact that this all occurred within a month of being home still shocks me.

“I know. He’s surprised me in more ways than one, too.”

“So when do the girls and I get to meet him? I wanna get a better look at this lumberjack. I vaguely recall him from that night.”

I chuckle through a cough. “Let me get better first, and then I’ll see what I can do.”

“Sounds good, Liv. Get better soon,” she says before we say our goodbyes and end the call.

The cold medication kicks in again, but I muster up enough energy to make it to my room, plug in my humidifier, rub Vic’s on my feet, and plop down in bed before I pass out.

The light from the morning doesn’t even wake me up. It’s the buzz of my phone on my nightstand that pulls me from my medication-induced slumber. Carefully propping my body up, I glance at the clock and notice it’s ten in the morning, way past my normal four a.m. wake up time.

“Holy crap,” I mutter while reaching for my phone. Swiping across the screen, I see a new message from Kane.

Kane: Just went by your room and you had a sub. Is everything okay?

My heart melts with his concern. And although the thought crossed my mind last night to text him and let him know I wouldn’t be there today, I passed out before I remembered to.

I lay back and type out my response.

Me: Yes. I’m home sick. It came on during sixth period yesterday. I’m sorry, but I don’t think I’ll be well enough for our date this weekend.

My disappointment hits me hard because I really was looking forward to more time with him, away from the school. I wanted to kiss him more than just the few pecks and slips of tongue we’ve managed in our classrooms. I wanted more questions and more time studying every fleck of gold in his eyes.

Kane: That sucks, but I completely understand. Do you need anything? Soup, medicine, soda?

Oh, my heart. Kane is offering to bring me sickness supplies. Cue the heart-eyed emoji.

Me: I think I’m okay. Plus, I don’t want you to catch this.

He texts back immediately.

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