Chapter 19: Chapter 19

“What are you doing?!” I almost screamed. Somehow I was able to contain my voice into a whisper but it came through my clenched teeth. “Everyone can see, Andre!”

He smiled down at me. “It’s either this or let you drip to the hostel. I think as the head girl you should preserve your reputation. Didn’t the former head girl used to be known as Aunty Flo for a period prank?”

He had a point and I hated it. I hated that I was in his arms. Yes, I hated it…it felt good though. I was in Andre’s arms. His muscles bunched up in his arms and I wanted to sink my teeth into them.

Oh God, I just want to die now. I wondered what he thought about seeing the blood on my shorts. Wasn’t he embarrassed or disgusted especially since he would have the stain on his shirt too?

“You really need to do something about this staring habit of yours,” he commented with a half smile. “I would think you were in love with me.”

I snorted. “Yeah, that’s never going to happen.”

It was incredible the distance he could cover with me in his arms. I felt helpless and I confess I was tempted to hide my face in his chest. I just hope I don’t weigh so much but then again he looked like he could handle anything so I forced myself to calm down. With his feet, he kicked open the seniors' quarters gate. Thankfully Gideon was the only one lolling about in the yard and I know he can keep a secret. That didn’t stop his brows from disappearing beneath his hairline in surprise though.

“Is she hurt?” he asked trying to come close.

“Yeah but it’s nothing serious,” was Andre’s quick reply before he walked over to my apartment. I gave him my keys and he opened the door and took me in kicking it close to keep Gideon out.

He didn’t let me go until we were in my room. There he carefully set me on my feet slowly like I was going to break into a million pieces, his eyes teasing me.

I looked at him curiously before snatching my book from him.

“You are welcome,” he said suddenly leaning down like he did that day at the beach.

I rolled my eyes. “Thank you,” I finally said grudgingly. When he made no move to leave I raised my brows. “If you’re waiting for the shirt I will wash and return it later.”

“Go to the bathroom and get a tampon or a pad.”

Uh? I chuckled. “Hey, you don’t order me around.”

“Sure but you’re the one bleeding not me. So will you stand there or will you do something about your current state?” he tilted his head toward the door of my bathroom. "Go."

“Fine.” I glared at him and left only because I could feel the trickle between my legs again. As soon as I shut the bathroom door behind me I heard my front door close. Good. I hope he’s gone for good.

I stood in front of the mirror and opened the cabinet above it to retrieve my pads. Goodness, gracious. My period was flowing heavier than normal and my belly and back were beginning to ache with my cramps. Rummaging through my cabinet I realized I had no painkillers. Great, I’m about to have the best period ever.

Gritting my teeth against the pain that was getting worse by the second I put on my padded panties and soaked the stained shorts and Andre’s shirt but not before inhaling his scent like an idiot. He smelled good but he is annoying beyond redemption. I wrapped my towel around my body and entered the room only to almost drop with a heart attack. There was Andre at the foot of my bed with a bag.

“Feeling better?”

“I thought you left,” I mumbled irritably. “Thanks for helping me out but I gotta sleep now. You’ve done enough today.”

He held the bag up for me to see. “I thought you might need these.”

“What’s that?” I demanded, eyeing the bag with distrust.

“Why don’t you look inside?” he smirked and tossed it. I caught it easily and looked inside, my eyes bulging at the contents.

There was a hot water bottle, an unopened pack of chocolates, a packet of painkillers, some more romance novels, gummy bears, water, and tea. I looked up and narrowed my eyes.

“So what you take care of girls in their periods for a living?”

“Are you always so defensive, Bianca?” he laughed. “Get into bed and say thank you. I’m just trying to get back on your good side. You’re instrumental in getting your friend to like me anyway.”

Didn’t he hear what I said about Siobhan liking him? Oh well if he didn’t then that’s good. Siobhan would have my head if she knew I told him anyway. I didn’t realize a smile had curved my lips up until I saw his eyes drop to my mouth and his tongue dart out to wet his lips. Looking away quickly I held the bag up.

“You were never on my good side but…” I shrugged. “Thanks…for this…also you’re forgiven, I guess.”

He seemed to catch himself as his eyes flew to mine and his mask came on again. “Good because I don’t want any bad blood between us. See ya.”

He was out of my room and through the front door before I could say anything. But what could I say? I already said thank you. The weight of the bag in my hand drew my attention to it and I couldn’t help thinking, wow, he really went all out with the care kit. I bet Carla has something to do with his efficiency in taking care of a girl on her period. The thought of that made me realize they were probably really close siblings regardless of the argument they may have had the other day I saw them.

It also made me think of Siobhan.

Ah God I hate periods. I get sentimental on my periods.

First of all, I was sniffing Andre’s shirt, next I was thinking he wasn’t so bad because he brought a period care kit and hadn’t even made me feel embarrassed about being stained at The Park, and now I’m thinking about Siobhan. I found myself missing my best friend.

On rare occasions when we had our period together we stayed in bed and took care of each other, munching on unhealthy amounts of chips and chocolates. Pulling the covers of my bed back I slid into the bed and took out the painkillers which I took and then got some chocolates. As I lay in bed trying to pay attention to the book Andre had given me I found my mind going back to him.

My stupid mind kept replaying the way he lifted me in his arms so easily.

Stop thinking about him, I chided myself, you heard him! The only reason he did all this is because he thinks you can help him get Siobhan. Just…think about Aaron.

Aaron.

As soon as I thought about his name I remembered what he said last night. It still felt so surreal that a guy was interested in me.

“…I want to date you this term and I don’t want any competition.”

Bold of him to think there will be competitions. He must be the only boy blind in class to think I’m among the other top girls in class.

But a warm feeling spread in my chest, I couldn’t help it. Well, I can’t give in to Aaron easily. If there’s anything that Siobhan has taught me it’s to keep a boy on his feet. I smirked to myself ready to drift off to sleep with my fairytale in my head when someone threw my front door open.

“Oh Lord, not again Andre.”

“Wrong guess,” came Siobhan’s cheerful voice. It’s your bestie!”