That Boy

I do, putting the thermometer under my tongue, while Phillip uncovers me.

My whole body is shaking. I really have the chills.

The thermometer beeps and Phillip reads it.

“Gee-zuz, it's 105. I'm taking you to the hospital!”

He scoops me up out of bed, carries me to the car and gets me to the hospital.

At the hospital, I'm given some medicine to help bring the fever down.

The doctor is concerned that I might have meningitis because my neck hurts so badly.

A nurse took some blood and swabbed both my nose and my throat. I am hoping the tests show something because I really do not want a needle stuck into my spine!! I've been admitted to the hospital and am in a room by myself. I'm feeling a bit better because my fever is down to 102 degrees. At least it doesn't hurt to blink anymore.

My doctor, Dr. Daniels, steps in and tells me to start thinking of whom I may have had close contact with recently.

He hands Phillip a little hospital notepad.

“How close of contact?” I ask him.

“Physical contact,” he says simply, as he reads my chart.

Maybe I'm delirious from the fever, but it seems like he's making this difficult.

So I ask for more clarification, “Like just being around them or actual physical contact?”

He stops reading my chart, looks at me like I'm blonde and says, “Physical contact. Like kissing.”

“We may need more paper for that, Doc,” Phillip, the comedian in the corner says.

“Shut up, Phillip,” I glare at him.

But he continues, “Just bring in the student directory. We can use a highlighter, might go faster.”

I try to ignore Phillip and ask the doctor another question.

“How far back does this contact have to go?”

“Oh, just a couple of weeks,” the doctor says.

“Why?”

“Well, meningitis can be very contagious and dangerous. It can spread quickly at colleges, but we can treat anyone you've been in contact with if we need to. We'll have a better idea of what we're dealing with when your tests come back.”

“What about Phillip?” I nod toward the comedian.

“I doubt a kiss on the forehead counts,” Phillip says with his bratty voice.

“Are you two related?” the doctor smiles and asks Phillip.

“No, we're roommates,” I say, before Phillip has a chance to make another smart ass remark.

“You're right,” the doctor tells him. “A kiss on the forehead should be safe. How are you feeling? Any symptoms?”

“Well my back is pretty sore from carrying this lug in here,” Phillip responds, nodding at me.

“Shut. Up. Phillip.” He is so embarrassing me.

The doctor's beeper goes off. He frowns at it and says, “Excuse me. I'll be right back.”

I'm thinking about who I kissed last week, when a memory comes rushing into my head. I put my hand up to my mouth and say, “Oh God, Phillip. Where's Da

Phillip looks at me, stu

I smile half a smile and shake my head.

“On the lips?”

Hey, I'm sick here. Stop asking me so many questions.

“Uh, yeah.”

“When?” He give me a stern look. “And more importantly, why?”

Okay, so I appreciate the fact that he was concerned about me, left the bar and brought me here, but I don't think this is any of his business and tell him so.

“None of your business, Phillip.”

He looks unhappy with me. Maybe I'll just mess with Mr. Nosy a little.

So I sigh, like I'm ready to spill my guts.

“Fine. It was a few days ago and it was nothing, really. Just Da

“What the hell is that supposed to mean?”

“It means, he just walked in the door and kissed me. You know Da

Phillip is sitting in the corner with his mouth open. The look on his face cracks me up, but I try not to smile.

It's good to know that I can be very sick and still have a sense of humor.

After his constant slamming of me in front of the doctor, well, he deserves this.

“It's not that big of a deal, Phillip, we just kissed some, and well,” I say with a shrug, “one thing led to another, and we spent the afternoon in bed.”

Don't I wish.

Kinda.

Really, I'm not sure why Da

And if I am really being truthful, I sometimes wish Phillip would kiss me.

I mean how many guys would ditch the girl they are dating to come home and take care of you?

But that is a whole other topic.

I glance at Phillip, who's eyes have gotten even bigger. I didn't think it was possible, but they do.

He is sooo jealous, it's hilarious and I can't help it, I feel a wicked pleasure in that.

“Don't look so freaked out. Neither one of us is dating anyone seriously, and you know, there's always been this attraction…”

My story is interrupted by the doctor walking back in the room. He picks my chart up and continues reading it.

I have to tell you, the look on Phillip's face is totally priceless. I really wish I had a camera.

I bite my lip and try to suppress a smile.

Phillip sees my smirk. “You're shitting me, aren't you?”

Then he gives me that glare. The glare that always makes me spill my guts, whether I want to or not.

Normally I try to fight it, to no avail, but I don't even try today.

I am much too weak.

“Yeah, I am,” I smile.

“So are you going to tell me what really happened?”

“Yeah, sure. It really is no big deal. He came home the other day when I was getting ready for my sorority meeting. I was vacuuming the living room because some of the girls were coming over afterwards, and you guys left chip crumbs all over the floor. Da

And um, confession time.

It wasn't just a kiss.

He did do the whole Lucy thing, but while I was still leaned back, he asked me if Phillip was home.

I shook my head no.

Then he picked me up, carried me to the couch, laid on top of me and was intensely kissing me. It was totally unexpected and so hot.

I really thought we might cross the line this time, actually, I was sure of it. But about the time things were heading that direction, and just after Da