Yet he found himself helping said trouble off the sidewalk. Bailey probably would have been capable of walking on his own if not for that whistling sound that he swore he could still hear. He didn’t put up a fight when Zane snaked his arm around his waist and threw Bailey’s arm over his shoulder. Actually, it was more like he couldn’t because his stomach was still churning though he was sure that he had already gotten rid of everything.

Zane managed to drag Bailey’s practically lifeless body to his car. He grimaced the whole time, grumbling to himself about the smell and mess. Bailey did kind of have vomit on him and they were both soaked from the rain. When Bailey let out a disgusting burp Zane moved quicker than he ever had in his life to find something the kid could throw up in. He found a plastic bag in the back and handed it to Bailey who, thankfully, only coughed pathetically into the bag but did nothing more.

Zane waited, unsure if he should drive while someone was sick or wait it out. He doubted a moving vehicle would help a queasy stomach so he sat there with his eyes on anything but Bailey. He didn’t want to see anymore vomit, thanks.

Throwing up earlier actually made Bailey feel better. Leaning back into the seat, Bailey glanced at Zane, who was starting up his car while shaking his head.

“Thank you,” Bailey said. His voice was hoarse and quiet, unlike his natural loud nature.

Regardless of how bad he felt, Bailey sent the confused Zane a smile. Though his pearly whites weren’t showing, it was bright nonetheless and Zane questioned if the kid was human. How could someone look that chipper after getting the shit beaten out of them and then throwing up?

“Who knows how long they would have kept it up if you hadn’t shown up.” Bailey sighed, allowing his eyes to slowly close as if he were taking a literal two-second cat nap. They re-opened in time to see the so-called evil custodian shaking his head.

Zane hummed lowly in response but didn’t give anymore than that. He was obviously uncomfortable, sitting straight in his seat with his hands gripping the wheel. His knuckles had turned white from continuously clenching then loosening his grip. Bailey watched through half lidded eyes, wondering how unsociable the guy was to be reacting in such a way. He kept biting his lip, rocking his head back and forth, squirming in his seat like all he wanted to do was get the hell out of there.

Of course, that also could have been because Bailey smelled like a mixture of beer, rain and vomit. Perhaps Zane was super sensitive to smell? Even Bailey was disgusted with his own scent.

Silence fell over the both of them after that. Bailey might have tried to speak if he didn’t feel so tired. That exhaustion caused the car ride to seem even shorter than it actually was and he was a bit shocked to find Zane pulling up to his dorm. He hadn’t even realized they had gotten there until Zane cleared his throat.

Bailey blinked, finally realizing he had been staring at Zane the whole time. Those blue eyes were focused on Bailey, narrowed on him while practically saying get out. Bailey nodded even if he knew Zane hadn’t said anything. He tried to get out quickly but ended up hitting his head off the top of Zane’s car.

Zane pinched the bridge of his nose.

With an embarrassed laugh, Bailey finally got out. He turned around and was about to lean in to give another thanks but Zane wasn’t having it. He had leaned over, grabbed the door handle of the passenger side and slammed the door shut. Bailey backed up, not expecting it and had all but a second to register that it happened before Zane was peeling out of the lot, leaving Bailey at the dorms with a few questions he wished he had asked.

Zane tapped his fingers against the wheel, shaking his head at himself for helping the walking catastrophe. By doing that he was basically asking for trouble. He grumbled the entire drive home, threatening the very universe's existence if it ever forced him into a similar situation with Bailey. He just wanted to avoid the kid at all costs.

Sure, it was hilarious watching him get into trouble but getting dragged into it? No way in hell, that wasn’t on Zane’s to do list. He was a magnet attracting anything and everything troublesome to him within a ten-mile radius. How someone could survive such a life was beyond Zane. He couldn’t even handle the few times his mail got switched with his neighbors and they came over to drop it off, smiling and wanting to talk like Zane had any interest in them whatsoever.

With a firm nod, Zane vowed to stay away from Bailey even if that meant moving to another continent. In all honesty he wouldn’t go that far but he simply wanted to convey how determined he was…for once.

Zane finally made it home, eager to get a beer into him and ready to binge watch movies until he passed out. He kicked off his shoes, dropped his beer into the fridge, got a shower, changed and was about ready to start a movie like he always did every night before when there was a knock at his door.

With a raised brow, Zane wondered who it was for a mere second. He wasn’t curious by nature and so dropped it easily. He elected to ignore the knock and the one who had performed it, flopping down on his futon with every intention to stay there. Whoever it was would leave. He was busy and by busy he meant he was drinking and watching horror movies so the world needed to back off so he could get shit done.

“I know you’re in there, Zane,” a familiar voice said only seconds later that had Zane groaning and kicking his legs like the five year old that he was, on the inside at least. He was just aggravated now, after his encounter with Bailey he wanted sweet freedom but instead he was getting bothered again.

See, Bailey was contagious. Zane knew it. He was infected.

Knowing that they wouldn’t leave no matter what Zane did or how long he waited, Zane pulled on a pair of sweats and lethargically made his way to his door. Equally as slowly, he opened it just a bit to reveal a single eye peeking out of the darkness. He knew who it was and knew he was going to let them in but he wanted to at least act like he had a choice.