The Sweetest Fruit ( Tomboy 🏳️‍🌈Love Story )

20.love

MJ

The empty bed drew me out of my slumber, the sudden coldness pulling me into wakefulness. My eyes darted around the room. 

Where did she go? 

The harsh light spilling into the space made me squint. She wasn’t anywhere in sight. 

Frustration surged as I rubbed the back of my neck. What if she realized what a piece of shit I am and left? 

Throwing the covers aside, I slipped into the black slippers under the bed. A quick glance revealed her toiletry bag was still there. Relief washed over me. 

She’s just taking a shower. 

Feeling foolish, I stood by the door, waiting for her return. 

"Why didn't you wake me up?" I asked as soon as she walked back in, her steps slow and deliberate. 

"I didn’t want to disturb you," she replied, absently rubbing her stomach. 

Her smile from last night was gone, replaced by faint lines of discomfort etched into her forehead. 

"What's wrong?" 

“I got my period,” she murmured, her voice trembling as though she might cry. 

“Oh.” 

She moved to the closet, dropping her belongings onto the floor with little care. A sanitary pad landed on the bed as she continued rifling through her bag. 

“Do you want me to leave?” I asked hesitantly. 

“No,” she replied quickly, though her discomfort was evident. 

“Can I do anything?” 

She sank onto the bed, the mattress dipping under her weight. "I can’t find my medicine," she whimpered, wiping at the corners of her eyes. 

“Where do you usually keep it?” 

“In my bag, but there’s none left.” 

Her voice cracked, and tears spilled down her cheeks. My stomach knotted at the sight. 

I took her bag and rummaged through it, confirming what she’d said. Nothing. 

I’d heard some periods could be excruciating, but this was my first time witnessing it up close. 

“Let me go buy some,” I said, grabbing a shirt and my phone. 

I hated seeing people in pain. It stirred old memories I’d rather keep buried—memories of helplessness and loss. But with Sonia, the urge to care for her came naturally. 

At the school nurse’s office, I asked for ibuprofen. 

“Fifty shillings,” she said with a friendly smile as she handed it over. 

“Thanks.” 

I grabbed some snacks Sonia liked before heading back. Students loitered outside, gossiping about anything and everything. I ignored the stares as I made my way to the room. 

Sonia was still sitting at the edge of the bed, her leg bouncing restlessly. 

“You haven’t dressed,” I said, noticing she was still in her oversized T-shirt. 

“I only managed to put on a pad,” she said, her voice flat. “Didn’t have the energy for more.” 

“Here,” I said, handing her the medicine and a bottle of water. 

“Can I have some sleeping pills?” 

I hesitated but relented after one look at her pale face. Retrieving them from my drawer, I helped her dress and lie down. She curled into a fetal position, her eyes glassy with unshed tears.