Flu

I woke up feeling like I had been run over. My head and body hurt all over and breathing was a job from all the congestion in my head. I realized I was laying in my bed but had no memory of how or when I got there. The last thing I remembered was leaving work early feeling like crap and getting home, but the rest was hazy.

As I moved a bit trying to stretch my achy limbs and moaning a bit, I heard someone stirring beside me. I slowly glanced over and saw my friend Abby stretched out on top of the duvet covered with a small blanket from my living room. My movement clearly stirred her awake as she partially sat up looking in my direction.

"Oh, you're awake." she said slightly groggy. "How do you feel?"

"Like I've been run over by a bus." I said wearily.

"Lay back and try to get comfortable. I'll be right back." Abby said as she hopped off the bed and disappeared out of my bedroom door. As I sank back into my pillow, I wondered what she was doing here and when she got there. She had clearly been there a while since she was curled up next to me.

Abby re appeared a few minutes later with a bottle of Gatorade, what looked like a packet of cold/flu medicine and a small sandwich. She set the stuff down on my night table as she said, "You think you can sit up?"

I pushed myself up as she reached behind me and pulled the pillows up against the headboard so I could lean up against them. Once I got situated, she popped the pills out of the plastic casing and opened the Gatorade bottle and handed them to me. I immediately swallowed the pills and downed about half the bottle of Gatorade savoring the cooling sensation flooding through my body and washing the taste of death out of my mouth. After sitting still for a few seconds, she grabbed the plate with the half sandwich on it and held it out for me.

When I hesitated to grab it, she said, "You need to eat at least a little something. You shouldn't take medicine on an empty stomach." Part of me wanted to argue because I wasn't really hungry, but decided against it since she was being so kind and helping me. I took the sandwich off the plate and began eating it. As I ate, she sat down on the edge of the bed beside me watching me with a look of concern on her face.

After I finished eating, I looked at her awkwardly and asked, "Uh how long have I been asleep and how long have you been here?"

"You've been out about 4 hours." she told me. "I got here a little before that. I started to worry when you didn't show up for our weekly Friday night happy hour and when you didn't answer your phone I came over. I worried even more when you didn't answer the door, so I let myself in. Thankfully you left the door unlocked. I found you half asleep on the sofa sniffling and coughing and looking like you were dying of fever. Luckily, you were awake enough I was able to get you into bed and get a little medicine in you before you passed out again."

"Damn." I said as she finished her story. "I knew I was sick I didn't know I was that sick. Last thing I remember is leaving work early because I felt like crap. I don't remember anything after getting home."

"I'm sorry you had to see me like that." I said suddenly feeling a bit embarrassed at knowing my best friend had seen me in such a sorry state.

"Mikey don't be embarrassed." Abby said. "I'm just glad you're ok and that I was able to help you." Then she gave me a sad look before saying, "I was worried about you."

I smiled at her and said, "I'm glad you were here to help me. Thank you."

"Next time don't be afraid to reach out for help." she said.

By then the medicine was kicking in so my aches and pains were starting to dull and with a little food in my system I was feeling relaxed. Then I felt nature calling.

"Got to take a leak." I said and Abby got up from where she had been sitting on the edge of the bed so I could get up.

I threw the covers back and was shocked to find the only thing I had on were my briefs. I was clearly still not a hundred percent with it because the whole time I was sitting up and talking and eating with Abby I never noticed that I had no shirt on. And now I was discovering that not only did I have no shirt on, but no pants either.

"Woah!" I said pulling the covers back over me. "You undressed me?!" I asked looking at Abby incredulously.

"Oh, come on don't be a prude." Abby said. "You would have sweated to death if I had left all your clothes on before putting you to bed. You were already sweating from the fever."

I slowly pulled the covers back again and got out of bed and made my way to the bathroom. As I moved Abby said, "And besides, you've got nothing to be embarrassed about. You've got a body many men and women would die for."

As I reached the bathroom door, I turned to face her and said, "Uh thanks." before going in to do my business.

"What in the world was that?" I wondered to myself. Surly Abby didn't just flirt with me? We've never been like that. As I finished taking a leak, I looked at my bare skin and realized a shower would help me feel better to. I went back in the bedroom and found Abby sitting on the end of the bed flipping through the tv channels. I went to my dresser and fished out a fresh pair of briefs and said to her,

"I'm going to grab a quick shower, get this sweat off of me."

"Ok." she said smiling. "I'll be here if you need me." My imagination must have been playing tricks on me because as she said that I saw her eyes roam over my nearly nude body.

As I got in the shower again, I wondered what was going on. Abby and I had been best friends for over 10 years and while we joked around a lot and kidded each other we rarely went into what would be considered flirting. And now she was telling me I have a nice body and eyeing it up and down. It didn't make sense. My flu addled mind and body must be making more of it than it is I thought to myself.

I finished showering and pulled on a fresh pair of briefs and running shorts and went back into the bedroom. Abbie was sitting up on the bed watching the tv. I crawled back under the covers next to her.

"Feeling better." she asked.

"Much better thanks to you." I said before letting out a massive yawn.

"Lay down and get comfortable." she said. "The medicine is kicking in good now. I gave you the nighttime formula to help you sleep more." She and I readjusted the pillows so I could lay flat, and I nested into them and melted into the mattress.

After I got comfortable Abby hopped off the bed and asked, "Do you have a t-shirt or something I could sleep in?"

I sat up a little and said, "You could just go home. I'll be ok now."

"Not a chance." she said giving me a fierce look. I opened my mouth to argue but she cut me off quick, "I'm not leaving you by yourself tonight. I want to make sure you're ok. Now if you don't want me in here that's fine, I'll sleep on the sofa, but I'm staying."

At that point I didn't have the heart or the energy to argue with her. "I'll get you something to sleep in." I said as I started to pull the covers back.

"Don't get up." she told me. "Just tell me where it is."

"Third dresser drawer down." I said. "All my t-shirts are in there." She opened the drawer and pulled out a dark blue graphic t-shirt before ducking into the bathroom. She reappeared a few minutes later with her jeans and white t-shirt and hoodie over her arms and wearing my shirt. It was quite baggy on her and went down just past her mid-thigh.

My first thought was that she looked sexy wearing my shirt that was too big for her. The next thing my eyes were drawn to was the bra strap hanging out of the bundle of clothes she was carrying. My eyes immediately moved up and though it was hard to see in the dim light of the room and the dark color shirt I could just make out the imprints of her nipples poking out of the shirt. I mentally shook myself for having perverted thoughts about my friend.

Abby dropped the bundle of clothes on the short stool at the end of my bed and said, "Sleep well Mikey. I'll see you in the morning." before turning to head out.

My heart strings suddenly tugged. I couldn't let her sleep on the sofa after everything she had just done for me.

"Abby wait." I said just as she was about to cross the doorway. "Why don't you sleep in here. My bed is a lot more comfortable than the sofa."

"Ok if that's what you want." she said grinning as she walked back over to the bed. Was it just me or was she swaying her hips? She sat on top of the covers and grabbed a small blanket she had taken from the sofa earlier when she was keeping vigil over me. Again, my heart strings tugged.

"You can get under the covers Abby." I said. Then on a whim I added, "I promise there won't be any funny business."

She smirked at me and said, "Ok if that's what you really want." as she pulled back her end of the covers and crawled in.

"You comfortable?" I asked after she settled in.

"Mmm very comfortable." she said as she snuggled deeper into the covers.

I rolled over and cut the light and tv out before saying, "Good night, Abby."

"Good night, Mikey."

I woke up a few hours later and found myself in an awkward position. I needed to get up to take a leak but found myself somewhat pinned down my Abby's arm that was laying across my upper body. I looked over and saw that Abby had rolled halfway over to my side of the bed. She was sleeping on her stomach and partially breathing through her mouth, and her long dark hair was spread in every conceivable direction. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself.

I really didn't want to disturb her, but the ache in my bladder was making itself more known so I had little choice. Hoping she was a heavier sleeper I grabbed her wrist and gently tried to pull it off of me. I didn't get my wish for her to be sleeping deeply. As I lifted her arm she moaned softly, and I turned to see her lifting her head off the pillow.

"I thought you said no funny business." she said.

"I promise I wasn't trying to...I've just got to take a leak and your arm was..." I stammered out.

She started giggling and said, "Relax sweetie I was teasing." as she pulled her arm off of me. "Sorry, I didn't mean to trap you."

I got out of bed walked to the bathroom trying to ignore the cool air that was hitting my body now that I wasn't under the warm covers. As I took a leak, I again wondered what was happening between us. Again, she was almost flirting with me, and I was oddly enjoying it. As I flushed the toilet and grabbed my bottle of mouthwash to rinse the morning breath/taste out my mind went to the image of her wearing my t-shirt where I could just make out her nipples poking out and her smooth tan legs showing underneath. My penis started rising in my briefs and again I mentally smacked myself. Why was I suddenly having lustful thoughts about my best friend?

I spit my mouthwash out and stood still for a minute trying to will my hardon to subside a bit. The last thing I wanted was for Abby to notice I had a hardon and think I was a creep. My penis thankfully went down a bit and I splashed a little water on my face before heading back to bed. Back in the bedroom I noticed Abby had moved back to her side. As I came in, she looked up at me with a concerned look on her face.

"You ok?" she asked.

"Yeah." I said. "Just needed to take a leak and get the taste of death out of my mouth."

"Oh ok." she said softly. "You were in there for a bit, so I was wondering. Get back in bed it's cold."

I didn't need telling twice and was glad to pull the covers back over me. As I got comfortable Abby rolled over to face me and said, "Now try to get some more sleep. You'll feel better." I couldn't help but be warmed by her caring attitude. Soon after getting back in bed, I was dozing off again.

The next thing I remember was waking up to sunlight attempting to stream in through the bedroom window. I glanced at the clock on my night table and was surprised to see that it was after 10. I hadn't slept that late in a long time. The next thing I noticed is that I was in bed alone. I was a little disappointed but not surprised. Abby had done more than enough for me the night before to get me going in the right direction again. So, if she needed to move on to other things, I couldn't blame her.

I got up and took a leak and made my way out to my living room/kitchen. As I left my bedroom my nose was assaulted by the smell of frying bacon. In the kitchen I saw Abby from behind hovering over the stove. She was still wearing my t-shirt and had her hair partially pulled up in a tie/bun. The knot she had originally tied was clearly slowly coming undone and sliding down her neck and many strands had already escaped. I found it oddly endearing. Further down I could just make out the shape of her hips underneath my baggy t-shirt and had to shake myself again for leering at my best friend. I figured the best way to stop ogling was to make my presence known.

"Hi Abby." I said and she turned slightly startled.

"Oh, good you're awake." she said giving me a wide bright smile. How do you feel?"

"A million times better than I did this time yesterday." I said. "Thanks to you."

"You hungry?" she asked.

"Now that you mention it I am." I said. "This smells good."

"Well then grab some plates and because it's almost ready." Abby said as she turned back to the pan. I did what she asked, and we were soon sitting at my small kitchen table eating. As we were eating, she suddenly jumped up and scampered off towards the bathroom again. She reappeared a few seconds later with another packet of medicine.

Holding it out to me she said, "Here you should keep taking this for a bit longer. Makes sure you don't have a relapse." I popped the pills out of the casing and swallowed them under Abby's concerned gaze as she sat back down.

"I'll need to go back to my place here in a little bit." Abby said as she started eating again. "I need a change of clothes and I need to check on Arnie." Arnie was her big black and white cat.

"Ok." I said. "I can go with you if you want me to and help with anything you need done over there."

"No, you stay here." Abby said. "You don't need to be out in the cold yet. I won't be gone long."

"Abby I'm fine. I don't think I need to stay cooped up inside." I argued.

Abby's dark brown eyes got big as she looked back at me and said, "Mikey, I really think you should stay inside just one more day. I know you think you're back to full strength, but you were pretty bad off yesterday. I don't want to see you like that again. It really scared me."

The pleading look in her eyes melted me. How did she suddenly have so much power over me? Two days before all of this if she had tried to keep me inside, I would have told her off for it yet now she gives me a simpering look with her eyes, and I melt for her?

"Ok, you win." I said. "I hope this doesn't turn into a long boring day."

"I told you I'll be back." she said. "I just need to feed Arnie and change clothes. I'll bring some games and movies."

"Abby if you've got other things to do I'll be fine here by myself." I said.

"Tired of me already?" she asked.

"Of course not." I said. "I just don't want you feel like you're stuck here with me if you have other things to do." You've already helped me so much; I don't want to impose on you any longer."

"Mikey you're not imposing on me." she said. "I had nothing else to do this weekend. I just want to make sure you'll be ok."

Once again, I melted under the gaze of her dark brown eyes. Once again I wondered how I suddenly became a total sap for her, but kept that to myself. "Ok if that's what you want." I said.

We finished eating and got the kitchen cleaned up before Abby went to get dressed. As I flipped through the tv channels Abby reappeared in the jeans and sweatshirt she had been wearing yesterday.

"Ok, I'm going to head on out." she said. "I should be gone no more than a couple of hours. Call me if you need anything."

Thankfully my brain was a bit sharper than it had been the night before. "You may want to hit up a store and grab some food. I'm sure you noticed that my refrigerator doesn't exactly have a lot in it."

She shook her head before saying, "Geez, I spend one night and now you want me to grocery shop. Good grief!"

"Hey, you're the one who wanted to help." I said smirking.

I got up and went into the bedroom and after some searching found my wallet in the pile of clothes Abby had stripped off of me the night before. I fished out a credit card and handed it to her.

"Now don't go running up the tab on this." I said teasingly.

"Macy's does have some new gold bracelets I like." she said coyly as she took the card and we both laughed.

I settled back in my recliner as Abby prepared to head out. She grabbed a blanket and handed it to me. As I pulled it up over me, she leaned down and kissed me on the cheek and I was treated to a stomach full of butterflies.

"I'll be back soon." she said before ducking out the door.

In spite of my assertion that I was feeling better, being well fed and in cozy in my chair with the tv on low soon had me getting drowsy and falling asleep again. I partially woke up a couple of times over the next couple of hours or so only to glance at the tv and pick up a little of what was being said before dozing off again. The next thing I clearly remember was waking up to the front door opening and seeing Abby coming in with her hands full of grocery bags.

"Oh, you're back." I said groggily as I attempted to sit up. I slowly got up and said, "Here let me help you." I finally managed to get on my feet and take some of the bags from her and we got them into the kitchen.

"Are you ok?" she asked.

"Yeah, I've been dozing in and out since you left." I admitted.

"See I told you you needed rest." she said as we unpacked the bags.

"Ok, ok you were right." I said. "You don't have to rub it in."

At one point she was reaching up to put a box of cereal in the pantry her sweater rode up exposing a bare strip of skin between it and the top of her jeans. I couldn't help but have a little fun and reached out and give her a playful poke there.

"Ow!" she cried and turned to scowl at me as she pulled her sweater down. "You little shit." The scowl soon turned to a grin and we both laughed.

Once we got everything put away Abby said, "Fancy a game of scrabble?"

"Sure." I said clearing the mats off of my kitchen table.

We spent the next couple of hours playing scrabble. A few times Abby spelling out shall we say less than g-rated words. This, of course, sent the blood rushing down below on me and I was glad there was a table in between us so she wouldn't she me shifting to get more comfortable.

"Are you supposed to use words like that?" I asked as she spelled out 'pussy' on the board.

"It's a word." she said smirking. "And besides it could be a pussy cat. I can't help it if you've got a dirty mind." Damn...when did this girl become a tease? Had she always been like this and it's just now affecting me or was she just laying it on me?

After several games of scrabble, we decided to watch a movie. I got the movie started and was about to sit in my recliner when Abby said, "You want to sit with me?" as she sat down on the sofa. As was quickly becoming the norm I couldn't resist her, so I sat down next to her on the sofa, and she leaned into me.

"You know you could catch whatever it is I've had." I said.

"Your fever is gone so I should be fine." she said.

About halfway through the third act I glanced over and saw Abby had fallen asleep. She was still somewhat leaning on me, but I was able to move her to a semi laying down position on the sofa and cover her in a blanket and put a pillow under her head. Thankfully she was sleeping deeper than she had been the night before and didn't wake up to say I was trying any funny business.