With A Twist

FORTY-ONE (HAZEL)

It's been a few weeks since Theo's birthday and my mind is completely encased with the thought of my mother's letter. 

I'm messing up drinks at work, too busy in my head about where it could be hidden. After spilling a double shot of gin on the bar, I realise I need to take a break. 

Nodding to another one of the bartenders, I leave the bar through the back door. I untie my apron from my waist, my fingers fumbling with the fabric as my breathing becomes shaky. 

I don't think of my mother much, the pain too unbearable, but I need to find the letter. To have that one last piece of her being alive in writing. 

Tears begin to stream from my face, the panic rising in me too fast for me to stifle. Thankfully, the locker room is empty, leaving me to have my meltdown in peace. 

A wave of sickness surges through me, causing my feet to hurdle to the nearest toilet. I curl my body over it, my throat burning as I empty the contents of my stomach into the porcelain bowl. 

When the feeling finally passes, I sit back, slumping down on the floor and curling my legs up to my chest. I wipe the tears away with a shaky hand. 

Wait, when was my last period?

Oh... FUCK!

Scrambling to my feet, I immediately grab my bag and run out the fire door, hoping the guys are too tied up in their office, working on something, to notice me. 

I push open the door to the pharmacy, probably looking like a blubbering, psychotic mess. I fight my tears away, diving down the aisle to search for pregnancy tests. 

Grabbing one that reads 'Early response' , I walk over to the self-checkout and pay for it. I shove it into my bag and walk to the coffee shop next door, quickly buying a hot chocolate to be my alibi. 

When I let myself through the firedoor back to the locker room, I'm met by Andros's narrow eyes.  He looks at me curiously, eyeing how closely I clutch my tote bag to me. 

"I needed a hot chocolate," I offer up the excuse before he can ask. My voice comes out shakier than I wanted, and I can tell by his eyes that he knows I was crying. 

Instead of pursuing the subject further, his eyes soften and he walks over to me. I watch with wide eyes as he move his hand to my chin, pulling me into a soft kiss. I melt into his touch, my troubles temporarily fading away. 

When he releases me, he looks deep into my eyes, wiping away a stray tear from them. 

"I would have got you one, angel," he whispers, stroking my chin comfortingly. 

"I-I wanted the fresh air," I stammer. 

"Is this a period craving? Did your period start?" he asks, concern in his eyes.