SEVENTEEN | 8/27/15

"BABY, CAN YOU please come over to my apartment?" Harrison asks in a croaky voice over the phone, which makes me want to hold him tight and never let go, "I feel fucking terrible."

It hasn't even been a full week of being in the college setting, and he's already sick. Damn his immune system.

"Yeah," I say in response, balancing my phone between my ear and shoulder as I grab my keys and backpack, "I'm already leaving my building, Harrison. Just hang tight, alright?"

"You're the best girlfriend ever, Arden," Harrison says, which makes me smile in appreciation. However, after he says that, he falls into a round of violent coughing, "Holy shit, I hate being sick."

"I know," I sympathetically say, "Alright, I'll see you soon."

"Bye, baby."

I finally exit the apartment complex and walk down a few blocks, really enjoying the light breeze of the coming season. It's nice to walk around the city, I discovered, and simply taking in the new change of scenery and starting adapt to it. There's people everywhere; they're either walking, eating at the food trucks, waiting for the bus, listening to some live music. Honestly, it's amazing to experience.

Now, it comes to why I'm walking a few blocks to see my boyfriend, instead of walking a few steps.

Harrison and I agreed to live separately for two reasons. One, we both wanted to get the full of experience of college and roommates and meeting new people. Two, my dad and his parents absolutely refused the idea of the two of us, who are completely attracted to each other, to share an apartment together. That sums it up pretty well.

About ten minutes later, I finally make it to the lobby of Harrison's apartment building. I text my boyfriend to let me inside, already forgetting the number to dial in the lobby. After a few seconds, the familiar sound of a buzz signals that the door is unlocked.

It's crazy to think how everything is slowly starting to become familiar. It used to be the police station, the old lockers of the high school, the warm comfort of my room. Those memories and feeling will always be there, but now it's the buzz of the entrance door, the intricate patterns on the carpet, the trek to Harrison's apartment.

It's the little things that make the bigger picture.

When I get to his place, I find the door propped open.

"Harrison?" I call, closing the door behind me and kicking off my shoes. I enter his bedroom, but he's nowhere to be found. "Harrison?"

"Sorry, Ard," he says from the bathroom, "I was taking a quick shower. I'll be out soon."

I tap on the bathroom door as a sign of acknowledgement before heading into the kitchen. I rummage through his cabinets and fridge, looking for ingredients to make chicken-noodle soup. For some reason, I feel like I have this responsibility to watch over him and make sure he gets better, knowing that he'd do the same for me.

As I'm chopping up carrots and pieces of broccoli, I feel hands slither around my waist, and a head that rests on my shoulder. I lean against him slightly, feeling his bare chest again my back. Over the past week we've been together, Harrison and I became much more comfortable and closer with each other.

"Making soup?" Harrison asks, his breath tickling my neck.

"Yeah," I respond, rolling my eyes, "because you're a child and can't do anything for yourself."

"I'm sick," he protests, squeezing my waist and sniffling dramatically..

I turn around to face him and place a hand on his chest, pushing him back and smirking, "Then get away from me and go put on a damn shirt. I don't want your germs."

"You appreciate my germs and my kisses and my shirtless body," Harrison gestures to his lean body.

Even when his nose is stuffed and his lips are chapped and his ego is overflowing, I can't really deny that at all. I mean, how can I not appreciate him, my best friend and boyfriend?

"You're so egotistical, babe."

"Just one kiss, please?"

I sigh and stand on my toes, kissing the corner of his mouth, "There you go."

"Now, I can survive a little longer," Harrison winks and spins on the heel of his foot, leaving the kitchen and me in a daze.

•••

JAKE, HARRISON'S ROOMMATE enters the apartment after a few hours, throwing Harrison and me an easy smile. Over the past couple of days, I learned that Jake Murphy is an easy-going guy and not some creep. He also minds his own business and keeps to himself, which is really nice compared to my own roommate.

I blearily blink at the clock, realizing how late it actually is. Harrison is fast asleep on my lap, his black hair messy and a little trail of drool escaping his mouth. I feel bad that I have to wake him up, but I gently shake his should and weave my fingers through his hair.

"Harrison?" I whisper against his ear, "Babe, wake up."

It takes him a few moments to react, but he soon makes a sound, "Huh?"

"It's late," I say as he rubs his eyes, "I need to head back."

"It's late," my boyfriend repeats in a tired voice, "Stay here tonight."

I bite my lip, wondering if it'll be a good idea, especially since I have a class tomorrow morning. However, as if hearing my thoughts, Harrison promises to make sure that I get to my class on time. Nodding, I agree.

He sluggishly gets up and stretches while I do the same.

"Are you sure you wanna sleep in the same bed? I don't want to get you sick."

I shrug, "I don't really care."

Harrison smirks, "I thought you didn't want my germs?"

"It's too late for that now."

He lets out a stuffy laugh and wraps his arm around my waist, "Alright, let's go to bed."

________________________________

FILLER. FILLER. FILLER. LOL, I'M SORRY IT'S SO BAD.

BUT SICK HARRISON AND CARING ARDEN AND RELATIONSHIP-Y ARDISON.

I'M SO TIRED, BUT I NEED TO GET ABOUT AXEL OUT. SO, EXPECT THAT LATER TONIGHT, I HOPE.

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT MY NEW BOOK "WHERE IT BEGAN"! THE FIRST CHAPTER IS OUT, AND IT WILL BE UPDATED EVERY MONDAY!

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--islandarc