Chapter Text
Callum has never felt worse in his life. He’s hot and cold, thirsty yet nauseous… utterly beyond miserable. His clothing is soaked in sweat and plastered to his skin.
His first day of farm work has not got off to a good start.
The screen door to the crappy share house opens and then immediately slams, the hinges screaming painfully in his throbbing skull. He can barely lull his head to the side to check and see who it is coming through the doors.
Opening his eyes just makes the room spin before him and he groans softly with the effort required to not empty his stomach all over the floor.
“Hey.”
It’s a girl. Scottish. Maybe Northern Irish. He’s spent enough time in hostels to know they’re similar but different enough that you don’t make a guess unless you’re certain… and even then, he’s seen that backfire.
“Hi.” His voice sounds pathetic, even to him and he glances at the now empty glass to his right, desperately wishing it had liquid in it but too weak and miserable to do anything about that. His vision swims before his eyes and he focuses on his knees as another wave of nausea washes over him.
The girl seems to pause whatever she was doing and the next thing he knows, there’s a bright blur of painful white before his eyes. He shuts them tight, hopeful it will give him some respite from how woeful he’s feeling.
“Ah, a newbie.” The girl declares, clearly having moved even closer. She pauses briefly, her mocking tone changing to one of concern. “You okay there, newbie?”
He can tell she is crouched before him. Risking a peek, he can barely make out pale skin, pale eyes and pale hair. “Yeah, fine.” He lies. “Just tired from the drive, I guess.” He closes his eyes again, hoping she goes back to her task and leaves him alone.
She sighs and he can tell she has got to her feet. “They put you straight out picking?”
“I got here early enough.” Callum says by way of explanation.
“Hmm.” She doesn’t sound impressed. Callum jumps when a cold hand is pressed against his forehead. “You need to cool down. Fast.” She asserts. “Come on, newbie. We need to sort you ASAP or you’ll be cashing in all your holiday insurance in one fell swoop.”
She slips her hands under his arm pits and Callum is too convinced he’s going to puke to object. Together they stumble into the small bathroom shared by all occupants of the house. He slumps against the wall as he hears the old tap squeak.
The gentle pitter patter of water indicates she has turned the shower on. There’s a weird stop/starting sound and then she is by his side again.
“Come on.” She heaves him up, grunting with the effort.
Callum can offer little in the way of help as she guides him into the shower. The water feels ice cold and he winces as it falls on his skin. “Its freezing.” He complains.
The girl snorts, helping him sit up right, clearly telling he’s not in any fit state to stand. “It’s not.” She presses her hand against his cheek and forehead. “Veg there. I’ll be back.”
Callum can’t do anything but veg, reclining against the cold tiles but feeling better by the second.
Footsteps alert him to the girl’s return, but the room spins a little too much for him to focus on her, so he closes his eyes again.
“Here.” She guides something into his hands. “Drink.” She insists.
Callum groans, accepting her assistance as she lifts a glass to his mouth, her fingers surprisingly gentle against his own. The liquid is warmer than he wants, sweet and salty at the same time, but it is something in his dry mouth, so he accepts it. Once finished, Callum looks up for more.
“Hold your horses.” She insists, taking the glass from him. “You drink too fast and you spew everywhere. And also off to hospital. I am not cleaning this bathroom up while you get pumped full of saline.”
Callum chuckles despite how awful he was feeling, closing his eyes and resting his head against the tiles.
“Sit tight.” She disappears momentarily and returns with another glass. “Small sips from here.”
“Thanks.” Callum breathes, finally feeling well enough to open his eyes.
The world still swims before him, but he manages to focus on his rescuer.
He isn’t exactly sure what he was expecting. Someone matronly or a lot older than him perhaps? She is commanding and no-nonsense.
He is definitely not expecting a pretty, petite girl about his age. She’s eyeing him intently, her face an odd mix of amusement and worry. If he wasn’t sure he was already red in the face, he is certain he’d be blushing now. They are both soaking wet, sitting in the grotty shower of their share house. Callum keeps his eyes firmly north, painfully aware of the wet shirt clinging to her body.
“Thanks.” He feels like he should say something. “I guess I’m not really used to the heat yet.”
“No problem.” She shrugs, leaning back against the wall, not seeming to care for the water cascading around them. In fairness, they are both soaking. There is little to worry about from that point of view. “Though, you are now forever in my debt.” She grins at him and Callum’s stomach does a funny sort of flip.
That cheeky smirk could be dangerous.
Callum snorts trying to hide his sudden embarrassment. He is starting to feel infinitely better than he had on the couch, the fog in his brain lessening and he realises that being alone in the shower with a very pretty girl is definitely something he should be nervous about. “That’s fair.” He shrugs, trying to appear relaxed. His first day in his fruit picking job really has not got off to a good start. “I’m Callum.”
She smiles, inclining her head in recognition. “Nice to meet ya, Callum. I’m Rayla.”