are so horrible that I just curl up under the sheets all day, wallowing.

I eat cake and ice cream and then I just die, and TV doesn't help and I don't even wanna touch a book.

Caleb texts me hey and I reply with

My period is soo bad

please don't come near

me with a ten foot pole

I cover my face with a pillow, as if that will make it better.

What if I bring movies and food?

That makes me smile, just a teeny bit.

If you throw in some ibuprofen

then you got yourself a deal.

Done. See you at six.

I'll be here 😖

Around two I get about ten minutes of blissful reprieve, so I clean up, just a little. And then it starts all over again, so I just lay on the couch with the Discovery channel playing in the background. Ugh. It doesn't help that I had but one measly little Advil left this morning. And there is no way I could ever make it to the store.

Four more hours of mind-numbing pain? Not really an option, is it?

But the only other option...

No. I can't.

Yes you can.

No.

Yes.

No.

But it hurts. Thinking about it also hurts. Anyway, he's probably not even home.

And then, because the universe is conspiring against me, I hear the familiar tread of footsteps, the slight jingle of keys and the swift opening and closing of his door. Ughh. Not a chance.

Do it.

Don't you dare.

But I need to.

I remember the last time I saw him, my fists pounding against his chest and my tears staining his shirt, his arms wrapped around my waist, holding me close.

Yeah. I've officially been driven insane.

•§•

look too surprised to see me. Just tired, as usual. He takes me in top to bottom, raising an eyebrow.

Yes, I'm still in my pajamas. And I haven't brushed my hair. And I'm in so much pain that I don't give a flying crap about the fact I look absolutely terrible.

"Do you have any Advil or something?" I close my eyes, because of the cramps and because it's probably easier if I don't look at him.

He makes a small, affirmative hum, and just that tiny little sound low in his throat is sexy as hell. I hear him recede and I stop hiding behind closed eyelids, a little more awake than I was before.

He comes back and holds out a bottle of pills that sounds so wonderfully full.

"Thanks." I barely meet his eyes, and I try to ignore the tingling that erupts across my skin from when his hand brushes mine as he passes me the container. Mm. Barely any contact at all, and it sends me into a haze.

Cracking open the lid, I pour a few into my palm but he shakes his head, waving a dismissive hand. "Keep it. You look like crap."

Just what every girl wants to hear. "Thanks."

His grin is small and dry but it still makes me a little dizzy. "Anytime."

I linger for a second, and despite how much I've fought against it our gazes meet, and his eyes swallow me whole, just like always.

And, just like always, I sigh, he sighs. It is undeniable, the tension between us.

I close my eyes and shake my head, and then I walk away, and I only hear his door close after mine has shut behind me.

•§•

did you know that this is exactly what I would be craving at this very moment?"

His smile makes me warm. "I have my ways."

I pass him a plate and we sit together on the couch. I lean into him because the drugs have mostly worked their magic, and this is the best I've felt all day.

"I apologize in advance for the hormonal grossness that I have become." He pulls me in closer.

"Babe, since it means I haven't gotten you pregnant I am ecstatic that you're kind of a mess right now."

I give him a small shove, though I see his point. "That's kind of mean. Except, we do have a lot of sex."

He smiles, lips tilting up at the corners, and it's enough to make me melt, just a little. "Not for the next few days." There's a hint of bitterness there, though only in play.

"Boo hoo. Abstinence makes the heart grow fonder."

Caleb shakes his head, but his grin betrays him. "That is not how the saying goes."

"Whatever."

I force him to watch a rerun of Legally Blonde, and he protests but I know he secretly finds it funny too. On my fourth slice of pizza, he gives me a look of wonder. "Can you please explain to me how on earth you continue to weigh like a hundred and twenty pounds?" He shakes his head, disgusted. "You're like the worst eater I have ever met. Ever."

I give him wide, disbelieving eyes. "You mean, even worse than Daniel?"

His face breaks into the most amazing smile. "Okay, second most. Your brother is just plain disgusting."

I lean against him, because I feel cuddly all of a sudden. "You're telling me."

And as we watch the screen, I know that I can never grow tired of being in his arms.

"You know, you are a very lucky guy."

His chuckle rumbles through the places we touch. "And why is that?"

My expression is one of mock disbelief. "I can't believe that you didn't notice that I put on a new pair of pajamas just for you."

He raises his hands, surrendering. "I'll be more observant next time."

"Good."

And he kisses me, and it isn't unwelcome and uncomfortable like period kisses usually are.

When we break away, I keep my face close to his, and he doesn't move either. "Has anyone ever told you that you're a fantastic boyfriend?" I mumble it against his lips.

He grins, and it is sweet and brilliant, and I know I will find myself in love with him some day soon.

His palms are gentle on my face as he presses his lips softly against mine, and he pretends not to notice the new pimples or the paleness, and it makes me want to kiss him more.

•§•

have a strange thought. Like, a very strange, rather inappropriate thought. Sleeping in my bed alone (something I do much less often these days) makes me restless. I blame the hormones.

So, because I am a few brain cells short, I cannot be held responsible for my train of thought.

Wow it's quiet.

Yeah. Really quiet.

*listens carefully*

*doesn't even hear the grumbling of a heater or the spitting of the air conditioning*

Wow. So quiet.

It's a Saturday night, shouldn't there be more noise?

Like, people getting drunk outside? Friends shouting and laughing in the streets? Neighbors having wild parties?

Lol. Neighbors.

*feels that tingling low in chest*

Ughhh. Neighbor.

*listens for sounds from next door*

*hears not a peep*

Oh yeah, he's probably sleeping.

God, that's so weird.

Why does he sleep so early on weekends?

And stay up like a vampire during the normal week?

Does he ever have fun?

When does he get laid?

Shut up, Rosalyn. Just shut up.

No, seriously. I never see any girls. Ever. Not since I moved in.

He seems lonely.

Psht. If that man wanted to get some he would have no problems.

Maybe he's always too busy and tired from work.

Yeah. Because there's no way in hell it's because of you, Ros.

But what if—

No. Stop it. You're delusional.

But he did kiss me.

And you kissed him, and now you have a boyfriend.

*remembers kiss, remembers hands on waist and lips and tongues and back against the wall and...*

Stop it!

*groans*

*remembers elevator*

*hears low, very hot voice say "You know the walls are really thin?"*

*blushes*

Shit. I can't believe he heard us.

You never hear him.

I know! Why?

Maybe his room is far from the walls.

*pictures Nero's apartment*

I think it was on the opposite side.

See?

*groans again*

*is annoyed with nagging cramps*

I hate my period

At least it means that the pill is working.

Whatever.

Mm Caleb is amazing.

Yes.

Yes.

Mm, Nero.

Shut up.

Go to sleep.

Yeah, go to sleep.

But why don't I ever see him with a girl? Why don't I ever hear him?

Shut. Up.

No.

Yes.

No.

Time for bed.

No.

Yes.

Fine.

Didn't I tell you earlier that I was going crazy?

This time, I'm blaming it on my period. Next time, we'll see.

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