That fucking beeping hunk of plastic! I bash the obnoxious device until it leaves me alone, roll over, and try to go back to sleep.

Five minutes later, it happens again. God dammit! I smack it again. The cycle repeats once more and by the fourth time it starts beeping, I stand up and rip the clock out of the wall and toss it across the room. It makes a loud clatter on the hardwood. I collapse back down onto the bed and shut my eyes once again only to hear the sound of my door opening.

“Charlie? Are you alright? I heard a loud bang.” Luke pokes his head in the door with a concerned look.

“Fuck off…” I say exhaustedly into the sheets.

“I’m coming in.” I don’t move. “Did you throw the alarm clock?”

“Yes.”

He sighs and picks it up. “You know you can just turn off the alarm, right?”

“No.”

“Come on, get up. I have class today so I don’t have time for a full breakfast but we can still eat some cereal or something.” I groan loudly. I suddenly feel two hands pressing onto my back and a sudden, violent pushing and shaking. “Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!”

“Ow! Shit fuck ow ow ow!” The hands recoil almost the instant I start screaming. “You dumbass!”

“Oh my God! I’m so sorry! I totally forgot you were still hurt. Are you alright?” He sounds remorseful but my body aches too much to do anything but grunt in pain. Let me help you up.” I feel Luke’s hands slide back onto my bare back, this time much more gently. “I gotcha. Don’t worry.” His right hand slides under my arm and onto my chest. He lifts up my left side and places my arm around his shoulders. “OK now slowly.” As he pulls me up, his hand holds my chest and glides down to my waist.

“I’m still covered in bruises, bandages, and scars, how could you forget I was hurt?” I’d glare at him if my eyes weren’t clenched shut in pain. He helps me stand and limp down to the kitchen.

“Just sit down, I’ll get you some cereal. What kind do you like?”

“I don’t know.”

“Hmm… Here.” Luke pulls a colorful box from the pantry. He places a bowl in front of me and pours a colorful mix into my bowl. “One second.” He grabs a spoon from a drawer and pushes it in. He goes to the fridge and grabs the milk and pours it in.

“You know I can make my own bowl of cereal right?”

His smile makes the room obnoxiously bright. “I know but I felt bad for hurting you so I wanted to help my friend out!”

“Oh, so now we’re friends?” He hangs his head.

“I just want to make you happy, Charlie. And I think I can do that today.” His smile returns with conviction.

“Oh and how’s that?” I raise my eyebrow in disbelief.

“By being gone for several hours.” I’m actually taken aback and nod my head for him to continue. “I have a few classes today so I’ll be gone until three. I have a few things I’d like you to do but otherwise, you’re welcome to do whatever.”

“What is it you want me to do?”

Luke pulls out a paper from his pocket, unfolds it, and slides it over to me. “Just a handful of items.” He checks his watch and his eyes go wide. “Shit, I have to go. I’ll see you later.” He rushes around the counter, wraps his arm around my shoulder, kisses my cheek and runs out.

I’m left staring in confusion at the wall of the kitchen at what just happened. “Did he just…?”