Chapter 6: Fever, Chicken Soup, and First Sparks

06

When I got Mr. White’s call, the local news was warning about a hurricane and heavy rain.

“Samantha, Mr. White’s on a business trip for a few days. Can you check on Ben? I called and he sounded feverish... This kid never takes care of himself.”

I didn’t know how to refuse, so I agreed vaguely. After hanging up, I called Mom.

Mom said, “You don’t need to come home tonight.” When I called again, her phone was off.

I stood there stunned for a long time, then sighed, bought medicine for Ben White, and picked up groceries at Trader Joe’s for his place.

But things didn’t go smoothly. My carefully done makeup was ruined by the storm. When Ben White opened the door, he just sighed, pulled out a few twenties and stuffed them in my hand, took the groceries and medicine inside, and shut the door on me.

Did he think I was a DoorDash driver?

I was both angry and amused. Channeling my inner TV heroine, I banged on the door. Before Ben White, frowning impatiently, could open it, I tossed my hair.

“Ben White! It’s me!”

He looked me up and down, realized how bad the weather was, and quickly let me in.

“Go take a shower, or you’ll catch a cold and make me sicker.” Ben White grumbled, tossing me a towel.

I crossed my arms, still dripping wet. He seemed to notice my embarrassment, coughed, and tossed me a huge T-shirt.

“Wear mine—it’s new.” I looked at him in disbelief. He misunderstood and quickly backed away, “Don’t worry, I won’t peek. I don’t even look at girls younger than you!”

Ugh... some kindness!

After showering, I made Ben White chicken noodle soup, fed him medicine. Mr. White must have told him in advance; the guest room was ready for me.

“Go to sleep, Ben, stop watching TV.” I tidied up, nagging. He was silent. I turned and met his gaze; he quickly looked away, fumbling for the remote.

“What’s wrong?” I checked myself—nothing out of place.

He stared, then finally said,

“Your legs are really thick.”

This punk—I should’ve put hot sauce in the soup, not sugar!

Fuming, I finished cleaning up and went to bed. I couldn’t sleep in a strange bed, so I watched TikToks until midnight. Just as I was dozing off, I heard glass shatter in the living room. I jumped up and rushed out—sure enough, Ben White had collapsed.

I dragged his 6-foot frame onto the sofa with my 5’3” height.

I patted his face—he was burning up.

I cooled him with a towel, gave him more medicine. Soon he opened his eyes, dazed.

“Ben? Feeling better?” I asked softly. He looked at me for a while before recognizing me.

“Samantha? Are you trying to take advantage of me?” I glared at this punk. First thing after waking is worrying about his innocence.

I ignored him, was about to get a new towel when he grabbed me—still strong, even while sick?

His face was flushed, lips thin, eyes hazy. “Don’t go, I don’t want you to leave. Stay...”

My heart skipped. Was this a confession?

Though our meeting wasn’t great, with this face, this young body, I wouldn’t say no...

But we’re five years apart!

As I struggled with desire and ethics, Ben White suddenly murmured, “Mom... don’t go...”

Mom???

Does he want me to pat his back like a TV heroine, for some ‘motherly’ moment?

I poked his stomach. He groaned in pain, eyes wide. “Samantha, are you trying to kill me?!”

I grabbed his chin. He was confused by my anger.

His lips were puckered from my grip. I swallowed, suppressing my desire, and said word by word, “Call me, sis!”

“Si... sis!”

Satisfied, I let go and continued with the towel. After my fussing, he was exhausted and soon fell asleep again, murmuring “sis... sis...”

Sigh, who could resist this...

So I stayed at Ben White’s for a few days. He didn’t seem to hold grudges, just loved my cooking.

To get some payback, I made him call me ‘sis.’ After a while, he got used to it.

On the last night, his internet went out. Bored, I made some good food, brought out beer, and planned a movie night.

As Ben White fiddled with the old Blu-ray player, I was stuffing wings into my mouth. When “Eyes Wide Shut” appeared on the screen, I almost choked...

After he sat down, he missed the opening credits. For a moment, I didn’t know whether to warn him or let him find out on his own.

When the two characters on screen started getting intimate, Ben White spat out his beer, sneaking glances at me.

Not wanting to look inexperienced, I pretended to be calm and started a lecture.

“Ben, you know, this movie is considered a psychological drama, highly artistic, with complex characters, a pioneer in its genre...”

“Samantha, are you really analyzing the artistic value of a softcore film while watching it with a guy?”

I swallowed and muttered, “What else can we do...”

Well, that is...

We just kept drinking beer, silently watching the whole movie.

I didn’t know when I fell asleep, but when I woke up in the morning and saw Ben White’s sleeping face next to mine, my heart skipped, and I jumped up to check if my clothes were still on.

My movements woke him. Seeing his half-open eyes, I hurriedly explained:

“Don’t worry, I didn’t do anything! I definitely didn’t take advantage!”

“Look, your underwear is still on, I didn’t touch you, really!”

Ben White scratched his head, looking at my messy hair and the way I kept my distance, and smiled lazily.

“Shouldn’t I be the one explaining? Don’t worry, I carried you to bed, I know.”

I breathed a sigh of relief, slumped on the bed, rubbing my hangover headache. So when Ben White said, “Sis, let’s give it a try,” I thought I was still dreaming.