Deviant(12)

*****



In my dazed sleep, I was vaguely aware of someone’s hands on me. Fingers were trailing up and down my arms so seductively, I couldn’t help my moans. It kind of felt like a dream, but the dream seemed all too real. Am I dreaming? Are these hands on me real? I didn’t know. My head didn’t seem to want to know. All my body wanted to do was feel, and I was lapping up every single morsel of the touch.

Shooting out of bed, I realized it was morning. I searched my bed, but there was nothing. Was it a dream? It felt too real. On the other hand, I was a little intoxicated so I was probably just hallucinating. Maybe having my stranger around me was playing tricks with my head. I was not only seeing things. I was feeling things now.

With a shake of my head, I got up to use the toilet. The paper was on the wrong damn way again. What was with him and this obsession with my toilet paper? “I live here, pal, not you!” I shouted into thin air. “Great! Now you’re getting me to talk to myself. Way to go, Tyler. You’re finally fucking losing it!”

I shook my head, but got on with it. I was eager to see if there were any messages today, so once I was showered and dressed, I switched my phone to silent and booted up my laptop.

I watched as all the messages came floating in. There must have been a hundred of them. Some were a little weird, some were just plain disgusting. With one click, I deleted those, then got on with the genuine ones. I was about halfway through when I spotted a message that piqued my interest straight away.



Hi. My name is Jeremy and I’m fifteen-years-old. For some time now, I have had this crush on a girl I met outside McDonalds, but I never had the guts to approach her and ask her out. I wanted to, but I can’t right now. You see, I’m sick. I’m at the hospital and have been for a few days. It’s obviously hard to declare my undying love to her now, and I feel I don’t have much time. The other thing is that I’ve never really kissed a girl, and if I do die, I would like to go knowing I had my very first kiss.

I actually have several other things on my list, like trying and liking vegetables. Yuck. I can’t understand how adults eat and enjoy vegetables so much. I mean, are they really that special?

Anyway, my secret crush’s name is Julie, and I would love for you to post this message for me.



Julie, for some time now, I have admired you from afar. When I first saw you standing outside McDonalds on Brent Street, a number of things happened. It was your hair that first attracted me to you and made me take notice. Your bouncy, strawberry-blonde hair swayed so magically, my breath immediately caught. When you looked at me, I almost fainted. You have the most unusual eyes I have ever seen. Then you smiled. It was only the briefest of smiles, as you were distracted, but it always made me wonder how much longer you would have stared at me. As for me, I couldn’t steal my eyes away.

If you read this message, I would first of all love to say how beautiful you are. Second of all, if you ever find that you like me, too, and you fancy a chat—or maybe even a little kiss—I would love to hear from you. Love, J.



I would appreciate it if you wouldn’t print my full name. I know several people at school who read your paper and I know I would never hear the end of it if they saw it.

Thank you for your time.

Jeremy



I sat there blinking for several minutes, and even re-read what Jeremy had written. I was immediately drawn to him, and had to find out who he was, so I sat there and wrote a reply.



Dear Jeremy,



I have just read your email and, I must admit, I was immediately taken with your words. You’re only fifteen, but what you said was very heartfelt and mature for someone your age. I, of course, will print this for you, and will endeavour to leave your name out. However, I would love to come and visit you, Jeremy. Could you please let me know which hospital you are in?



Many thanks,

Tyler O’Shea

Writer for the Daily London



I sincerely hoped I wouldn’t scare him off. I wanted to meet Jeremy simply because he intrigued me so much. His email touched me and made me appreciate how much I have in my life. It saddened me to think he may only have a short time left. I didn’t know what made him think that way, but I wanted to find out.

It was when I was just about to get up and make my second cup of coffee that another email came through.



I would love to get a visit from you. I don’t get many visitors. I just didn’t want anyone to find out it was me.



The minute I saw this, I hit REPLY and started typing.



Jeremy, believe me when I say I’m not wanting to see you from a journalistic point-of-view. I would just really like to meet you. I swear, neither your picture nor name will be printed in any of my articles. Unless, of course, you tell me to.