14

Walking in that Tuesday morning, I made a point to get to the business building early to check on Hayden. He hadn't really texted me that much this weekend so I was a little apprehensive on what might have happened.

When I got to his office, the door was locked and the lights were off... that's odd, he's never this late.

"Can I help you miss?" a janitor said as I stared dumbfounded at the wooden door.

"I was just going to ask my Professor a question, but I guess he's not here," I shrugged and walked back towards my other class. Part of me wanted to text him but maybe he would be annoyed that I had disrupted him...

'Really Dasha? Your his girlfriend! Just text him,' my mind yelled at me.

'Hey babe!' I texted as I sat down and began writing down notes for my class.

While the Professor droned on about something unimportant, I kept checking my phone for a message or something from him but nothing showed... okay what was going on?

Other than the fear of him not really wanting me, which wouldn't make any sense, I was trying to convince myself that he was sick or something. Or just really busy with his classes today...

"Dasha, if you check your phone one more time I'm going to take it up," my Professor threatened me as I bit my lip and slipped it back into my backpack. This was utterly ridiculous!

"Sorry," I murmured in a unapologetic tone and went back to writing whatever the hell he was talking about.

Once the class finally finished I hauled my butt out of the classroom and made my way over towards Hayden's room. After waiting for the students to file out, I peeked my head in and noticed a sub was standing there flipping through notes that Hayden must have left. She looked up through her black frames and smiled, "can I help you?"

"Oh, I just was wondering where Professor Blaze was," I stuttered.

"I believe he's on a sick leave. He said if anyone had any questions about anything to email him and he would reply as soon as possible."

"Thank you," I murmured and walked out while holding my phone. He was sick, and I couldn't do anything to help him...

Well you could skip class and go check on him, my mind urged me.

As enticing as that was, I knew I shouldn't skip class because there was the potential of us having a pop quiz or something... what to do...

Well either he can be mad about you missing class but grateful that you're there with him. Or you can be mad that you weren't there earlier with him, even if he is just asleep or something. My mind continued to reason with me as I tried to counteract everything it threw at me.

"Fuck it, let's go see him," I decided and marched off campus towards his house.

The walk wasn't too far, but I made a point to make it look like I wasn't directly going towards his place. You never knew who was watching... I had dropped my bag off at the dorm and had slid on sunglasses and a baseball cap to cover my hair, perhaps no one would notice that it was me.

Instead of going through the front door, I made my way through the back gate since there wasn't a lock and carefully shut it. Remembering he had a dog made me think in my head that hopefully it wasn't mean or anything before I realized that Hayden had told me Missy had taken the dog. Cheap bitch.

The backyard had a small what looked to be vegetable garden and tons of oak trees among the plot. It was pretty spacious given the circumstances of most of the houses not being that big anyways on the street.

I tried the handle on the door and already knew it was locked. Well knocking would have to do since he wasn't replying to texts or anything. I rapped on the glass three times and stood back some while pulling my hat off and sliding the sunglasses into my pocket.

Feet slowly shuffled down towards the back door as I saw Hayden's tired and haggered expression turn to shock as he realized it was me.

"What are you doing here?" he breathed as I allowed myself in and stood back to examine him. God he looked awful.

"I was going to ask you about my paper... but you weren't there... and the sub said you were sick or whatever so I decided to come check on you."

"Dasha I'm fine," he croaked again and rubbed his eyes.

"No you're not, go lay back down. I'll make you some soup or something, and then later you can lecture me about not being in class."

He frowned but obeyed and went back towards the couch where there were already an abundant amount of tissues covering the table and two blankets lying across the couch.

I walked into the kitchen and grabbed a can of chicken noodle soup to warm up on the stove. Then I looked around for a medicine cabinet and pulled out some different things to give him or offer, in case he already had taken something.

While the soup heated up, I went back into the living room and saw Hayden was fast asleep on the couch with his mouth slightly parted. Even though he looked like hell, he still was so sexy!

I sat on the edge of the couch so I didn't disturb him while I pulled the covers over him. He shifted slightly and I trailed my fingers through his soft and partially damp hair. My poor baby!

Tentatively, I brought my lips down to his forehead and left them there for a few seconds before getting up and bringing back his food and medicine.

"Hayden," I murmured gently and rubbed his shoulder.

He cracked one eye open and remembered I was at his house. "Dasha?"

"Yes baby, I'm here," I helped him up and offered him his food. "I wasn't sure what you had already taken," I said and handed him some day-quill.

"I took some stuff," he smiled and made room for me on the couch.

"How long have you been like this?" I frowned.

"Since Sunday," he sighed and rubbed his eyes again, "I went to the meetings but left early. The doctor said it was a mild case of the flu but I'm doing a lot better today believe it or not than Sunday."

"I'm sorry I wasn't here," I mumbled and looked down at my shoes.

"Hey," he brought my face towards his, "I called my mom and she brought me some stuff over yesterday. I'm glad you weren't here so I couldn't get you sick."

He ate some more of his soup while I continued to stare at him. I was caught up completely in him and he still had no idea!

"Well you sound better," I encouraged after a few minutes.

"Yeah," he coughed a few times and proceeded to blow his nose, "I've slept most of yesterday and today." He looked at me with an apologetic smile, "sorry about my attire at the moment."

I took in his t-shirt and blue plaid pajama pants with a smile. Why was he apologizing when he looked so cute?

"It's fine, you should probably take a hot shower though. I think it would help some," I rubbed his back gently.

"I will soon," he yawned again and asked, "how was your weekend?"

"Great! The lake was a little cold," I admitted and went into details about what we had done and whatnot.

"Oh and I found a song that kinda reminded me of you," I blushed.

He quirked his eyebrows up in interest, "what song is that?"

"Heaven, by Bryan Adams."

"That's a perfect song," he yawned again, "sorry love. I can't stay awake."

"I know baby," I scooted into the cushions and held him closer to me. "I'll be here when you wake up."

"Okay," he smiled and fell asleep once more.

I wrapped my arms tighter around him and inhaled his somewhat musky and sweaty scent. As heartbreaking as it was to see him sick, it also made me feel like Superwoman to know I could take care of him even if he didn't want to admit it.

"Get better soon Hayden," I whispered and kissed his forehead again.

**So nothing too major in this chapter, but thank you for all the reads! I'm happy to see I can get another book in the 1000 without it being a same sex story! If you liked this chapter, or just are enjoying the story in general please comment! It only takes a few seconds :) thank you!**