Always, Tulip

▫️Twenty-one

"We shall come to race one day, yeah?" I wasn't good at sports but I would give it a try later on. Dalton nodded but his attention shifted to something else as he tugged my arm.

"I wanted to invite Mayella to my birthday party but she wasn't at school, is she sick?" He spoke all at once in a pout and I could tell that he was slightly upset.

I shook my head having not heard about it but promised that I would ask Grey and also invite them all to his party. He seemed satisfied with my answer as he smiled and walked back to Lora.

I saw Jordan re-appear from the back and I slowly approached him smiling till I took the seat beside him. I needed to ask a favor from him so I grinned all the more.

"I'm going to leave early today, will you help me process the book delivery for tomorrow?" I was starting to have a slight headache and I couldn't stay put working.

"I'll buy you two milkshakes," I attempted to bribe when my smile didn't work but Jo seemed to know me better. I never left work unless something was up.

"Feeling unwell?" He placed the back of his hand over my forehead. I slightly shook my head since I didn't want to worry anyone. Headaches were common when working.

"Of course I'll help you, go rest." I smiled in triumph and hugged him. After thanking him again and telling Lora that I would be leaving, I headed home.

I took the bus as usual but the throbbing of my head had me uncomfortably shifting in my seat. I drank more water to soothe the pain but it didn't seem to be helping.

I alighted at my stop and slowly walked to my apartment. Perhaps I could take a nap for the headache to shimmer down. I knew sleeping solved half of my problems.

Taking off my shoes as soon as I had walked in, I plopped myself on the sofa and covered my lower body with a small blanket that was lying around.

I clutched my head painfully as I closed my eyes but sleep seemed far away. The pain only intensified and when I felt a growing ache on my tummy, I rushed to the washroom.

I knew what this was about.

I changed into some comfortable pants and curled back into my spot on the sofa. I should have known this wasn't a normal headache.

I was now slightly relaxed knowing that I wasn't exactly sick but the cutting pain had me holding my abdomen tighter. I squirmed on the sofa trying to hold back from crying.

I groaned as I reached for my phone that had been ringing non-stop. I didn't have the energy in me to talk but I still picked up and croaked out an hello as I lay back down.

"Tulip," my eyes opened when I heard Grey speak. He never called this early so I wasn't expecting his call yet. I tried to seat straighter but my tummy only hurt the more.

"Grey?" I attempted to even out my voice as I bit my lower lip. There were voices around him and I assumed he wasn't home yet.

"Yes sweetheart, you're at work?" He asked and for a minute I was lost in his voice. I found it comforting that for a moment I didn't feel my body aching.

"No, I just got home." He hummed softly and went quiet. I waited on the line and just when I was about to call his name again, he spoke.

"Can I take you out for dinner tonight?" My eyes widened a fraction and I swallowed, nervously playing with the thread on my sweater.