Page 10 of Conner's Luna

I get the orange juice and pour her a glass then wander through her small house. There are two bedrooms with one bathroom upstairs. I find the medicine cabinet but can't find anything labeled Nyquil anywhere. Frustrated and worried that Bailey is downstairs retching, I grab all of the pills and bottles and take them downstairs. I dump them on top of Bailey. One bleary, hazel eye opens, glaring at me.

"I don't see Nyquil."

She shoves everything off onto the floor but one bottle. "It's generic." She takes some pills and sips the juice. I stare at her, waiting for her to be better.

"What are you doing?" she asks.

"Do you feel better?"

"It's the flu, Conner. I'll feel better tomorrow."

I frown. Why take medicine then?

"Can I have some more blankets?" I stand up and go upstairs, grabbing the light purple comforter from her bed. I look around, seeing pictures of strangers, a couple of awards, and a picture of a beautiful red-headed woman whose eyes look eerily similar to the girl downstairs.

I tuck the blanket around Bailey and say softly, "what else, Bailey?"

"Small trashcan if I get sick again," she whispers back.

I grab it and place it next to the couch.

"Conner?"

"Yeah, Bails?"

"Thank you."

I sit in the easy chair and stare at her. Her hair is limp from sweat and she's pale as a ghost, but... she's sweet, I guess.

"Conner?"

"Yeah Bails?"

"You're going to get sick. You should go back to campus."

"I won't get sick, princess." Sweet.

She sighs and squirms until she is comfortable.

"Conner?"

"Yeah Bails?"

"Are you going to sit there and stare at me?"

"Yeah."

"Until when?"

"When do your parents get home?"

"Seven or eight."

I frown, she's alone for that long every day? "I'll stay until then." I keep looking at her, waiting for her Nyquil to take effect.

"Conner?"

"Yeah Bails?"

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