The Game (Frankie Iero)33

You nose continued to run but it felt less like a dam about to burst. You brushed your hair then felt your forehead. A fever. You got out of the bathroom and guided yourself into the bunk area and went to Frankie’s bunk.

*Frankie?…Frankie I need your help. I want to take a fever but I can‘t turn on the water. I don‘t think I can even make I t into the shower.* you paused a moment. *I can‘t do it alone. Help me.*

*I thought you had a bus full of people willing to help you.*

*I do. Please don’t be mad at me. I want you to help because you’re the only one who’s seen me naked and I would like to keep it that way. *

*Fine.*

*If you are going to be mad at me, then never mind. I already said I’m sorry. There isn’t much else I could do.  I can’t rip off my clothes and devote my entire body to you. At least not until I’m better*

*Do you want to take the bath now or what?*he said  sliding down from his bunk

*do you forgive me?* you asked cocking your head to the side.

*Yes. *

You both walked to the bathroom. After walking inside you sat on the Toilet and waited for Frankie to turn the water on. You  pulled you arm through a sleeve and did the next. Frankie saw you and took off his own shirt.

*Why are you getting undressed?* you asked not really getting the whole concept.

*you can barely stand on your own, and now you‘re adding water. So there going to be slippery surfaces, hard, slick surfaces with nothing to grip, you could fall and break something…like your hip!* he said as he tested the temperature of the water with his hand.

*Whatever you say.* you said rolling your eyes.

*Plus, I haven‘t taken a shower today either.* he said with a half hearted smile.

You stood up and Frankie pulled your shirt over your head. Then pulled off his pants then you un buttoned your pants. You braced yourself against the sink and pulled the legs of your pants off your feet. You both stood there in your underwear.

*Why didn‘t you call for help?* he said running his fingertips up and down your arms.

*I lost my cell phone.* you said shrugging and puling your arms out of his touch.

*You‘re so skinny.* he said looking at your semi-visual ribs.

*Am I not pretty any more?* you asked feeling very self-conscious about your emaciated body.

*well I can see your roots and your white stripe isn’t so white anymore. .. You’re still pretty,, but you need to fatten up a little.* he said threading a finger through your hair and then poking you in the stomach.

*thanks for letting me down gently.* you said rolling your eyes at him.

*no problem.* he said with a grin.

*you got a new tattoo?* you asked poking him on the hip.

*no. that‘s always been there.* he said rubbing a hand over his hip bone.

*I swear I‘ve never seen that there before.* you giggled.

*we slept together in the dark. Remember?* he said testing the water again.

*oh yeah. Right.*you said as you pulled all of your long and thick hair to the side.

*Well, let‘s take the shower before the water runs out. *  he said sliding the plastic door open and letting you get in first. You stood there and pointed giving him the go ahead to get in first.  He stood in the entrance his face getting beaten by the water as he held a hand out to help you in. you slipped a leg in and then jumped the rest of the way into the tub and into his arm shivering because of the water.

*this is the warmest it gets, so we‘ll just have to adjust.* he said. You nodded and took a step back.

You both stood there water dripping off your skin Frankie made a point to help you with everything. You both washed each other and it wasn’t sexual at all. It was, romantic. Not sexual.

*Could you feel this when you were doing it?* he said tucking your wet tendrils behind your ear and tracing your scar with a finger.

*No. I was so drugged up. I couldn‘t feel anything.* you said tilting your head into his hand.

*do you want to get better?* he said tilting your chin up so he could look you in the eyes.

*yes* you answered with your back to the shower head. *I can‘t live like that anymore. It‘s ruined my life so far. I don‘t have much left*

*Is there anything left?* Frankie said after a pause.

*of what?* you asked washing some more of the shampoo out of your hair.

*Us.* Frankie said soaping up his chest.

*Of course there is.* you squeaked  *but I think that I need to get over this before we can keep on. You know.* you looked him in the eye and watched the glimmer of hope fade out of his eyes.

*I understand.* he said quietly.

*I know you do. That‘s why I know you are going to wait just a little bit longer before we can be something again.*

*you can‘t forget me though.* he said seriously

*How could I forget you?* you furrowed your brows. How was that even conceivable. It couldn’t be possible to forget someone so entirely and genuinely wonderful.

*for a while I thought you did.* he admitted. You shook your head.

*for a while I was in a chemically induced coma. I couldn‘t think of anything.* you said wiping the suds out of your eyes.

*So what are you going to do next?*

*I think I‘m about to puke.* you said bracing a hand against the wall.

*then puke*

*it‘ll get all over you.*

*I‘m in the shower. I can wash it off.* you puked. And Frankie held your hair out of the drain. *that was sexy.*

*I warned you,* you replied.

*I know. Do I care? No.* he leaned to kiss you but you turned away.

*Not now. I can‘t.* there was a knock at the door.

*come on I have to take a leak!*

*We‘ll be right out Ray.* you called. You slid open the door and Frankie helped you out. You commenced in wrapping yourself with a big purple towel and then  hurriedly walked down the hall to change into Frankie’s clothes.