Watch Me Drown

5. Sick

TW: throwing up

(Abby's point of view)

Sure enough, two days after Lucy had to come rescue me, I woke up feeling awful; even more tired, plus cramps, and a new nausea I had never experienced during this time before. How fun.

I spent the morning trying not to cry and eating bland foods. Julien was very gentle. She had learned how I was the week of my period, and instead of telling me to change, she changed her demeanor a bit. It wasn't so much that it was unhealthy, she just tried to be aware of how I was feeling, and work from there.

I seriously believed that she could do no wrong.

We were both in the office, me at the piano, her at her desk, typing away on her computer, when I abruptly stopped playing. My entire body hurt. The ache slowly crept in that morning, and now it was in full swing. I rested my head right there on the keys, a random combination of loud notes following.

After a few seconds of silence, Julien spoke. "Is that how the song ends?"

"No." I said, my voice muffled.

"What's wrong?" I heard her chair move, then felt her hand on my back, rubbing small circles. "Do you feel okay?"

I shook my head. I got very quiet when I didn't feel well.

"Let's go lay down, yeah?"

"Okay." I mumbled. Neither of us moved.

"You want some help?"

I slowly sat up and wrapped my arms around her neck. With a small chuckle, she hoisted me into her arms. She brought me to the bedroom and closed the door behind her, leaving Dorothea sleeping on the couch. She set me down on the bed gently, then draped a blanket over my curled up body.

"Okay," She said as she settled the blanket. "Painkillers? We have a large selection."

"Anything." I sighed.

"I'll be back!"

Julien scurried off to the bathroom in our room, returning a minute later with two pills and a plastic cup of water in hand. I took them quickly, then cuddled into her awaiting arms.

"Is there anything else I can do?" She whispered a few minutes in.

"No," I whispered back. "Just stay right here."

"Don't have to ask me twice." She smiled.

I kissed her shoulder and curled into myself as much as possible.

"What else is wrong?" She stroked my cheek.

"I'm nauseous."

"That's new."

I shrugged, my heavy eyes fluttering closed. Julien started humming, and I fell asleep moments later.

***

(Julien)

When I woke up, the sun had just gone down. I realized that we had slept for hours, so I got up to make dinner as silently as possible. I'd wake Abby when the food was done, I decided. She seemed to need all the rest she could get.

I had just started chopping up some vegetables when I heard bare feet slapping against the wood floor, and the bathroom door slamming shut. I looked up from the cutting board, eyebrows furrowed.

"Abby?" I yelled.

I reached towards my phone to pause the music. Gagging.

"Shit!" I exclaimed, and ran to the bathroom. "Abby?! Are you okay?"