Germ-X and Chinese Food

"You abandoned me!" Richard screeches. I sigh. 

"For the last time, I did not abandon you. I had some business to take care of." He sniffs, crossing his arms over his chest. 

"What could be more important than walking home with me?" 

"...I don't really know how to answer that," I say, eyebrows drawn together in bewilderment. I can feel the lamp rattle in my book bag, knocking against my binders. 

"I waited outside for you for an three hours and forty one minutes until my mom had to come pick me up for dinner. Thanks to you, Chinese was cold that night!" I give a huff, blowing the hair out of my eyes, and turn to Richard, grasping him by the shoulders. 

"Look, I'm really sorry that I couldn't tell you what was going on, okay? I'll make sure to...leave a note or something next time." He wipes his nose on the sleeve of his shirt. 

"Promise?" 

"Yes," I say, fighting the urge to roll my eyes. Richard was more work than not having any friends. There was the distinct noise of someone clearing their throat. It was coming from my book bag. Richard looked at me quizzically. 

"Sorry, I'm fighting a cold. But I'm going to shut up now!" I say through gritted teeth, shaking the book bag. 

"A cold! Sadie, why didn't you tell me? I'm going to have to give you special treatment!" 

"Oh, no, that's not--" but he'd already thrown his backpack down on the ground, rifling through the many pockets. I take this opportunity to peek into the lamp. "I'm going to kill you," I hiss. Richard pops up wearing rubber gloves and a face mask. I swallow, letting him grasp my hand and smother it in Germ-X. 

(...Not--well, okay, pretty long afterwards...) 

I groaned, throwing down my bag and collapsing on the couch. Genie appeared, silver hair disheveled. He was deciding to stick with a sixteen year old's face. 

"What the hell?" I say weakly, exhausted with Richard's "pampering".

"Hey, you were the one who went with the sickness idea, not me." 

"Have I told you how much I hate you?" 

"Today? No, not yet." He grins and I glare at him. But staying mad at him is like staying mad at a puppy who's just torn up your favorite pair of shoes. 

"Tomorrow's saturday, right?" I say. Genie shrugs. 

"How would I know?" 

"As long as you're here, could you at least try and act normal." 

"Let me see...I'm the oldest thing still standing ever. And you're from the middle-ages. Should either of us really be normal?" 

"We should act like we are." He throws his hands up in the air. 

"You're hopeless, Saide!" Despite myself, I smile.