Shadows Of Stardom

Chapter 49

I’d told my choreographer I wasn't feeling well, and I was pretty sure he didn't buy it for a second. He probably thought I was dodging practice again. He always seemed to think I was messing up and lazy, which he never failed to tell me. Honestly, his opinion didn’t sting as much as the fact that getting out of bed felt like climbing Mount Everest. But I couldn’t…

My legs felt like jelly, useless and wobbly. I'd been glued to my mattress since sunrise, too drained to even shamble to the bathroom.

"I hate when you get sick," Chanyeol grumbled, dropping a tray of food on my bedside table with an exaggerated sigh. "San's got me on caretaker duty, like I'm getting paid for this."

I managed to prop myself up against the headboard. The tray held three small plates piled high with different Korean dishes. It wasn't even noon, and it was already my third meal.

"I'm sorry," I mumbled, patting his arm. "That's what younger siblings are for. You did a good job, and the food looks amazing." I scooped a huge spoonful of rice into my mouth.

"You just ate like, an hour ago. The way you're inhaling that, you look like you haven't seen food in days," Chanyeol said, shaking his head. He walked over and turned off the air conditioner. "It's already cool in here. No wonder you're sick."

"I'm not sick because of the cold," I argued, but he just rolled his eyes.

"Then why are you sick?" He demanded, crossing his arms. I shrugged. Why was I sick? Vague discomfort and exhaustion didn't really cover it.

"Maybe I ate something bad. I just...keep throwing up," I admitted, picking at the kimchi.

"You sure you're not pregnant?" Chanyeol blurted out.

I looked at him in shock. "Don't be ridiculous; that can't be true."

But then a wave of panic washed over me. My period was...

No.

It was often late; this wasn't the first time.

"Stop putting those thoughts in my head," I snapped, grabbing a pillow and throwing it at him. It hit him right in the chest. Oops. That was harsher than I meant it to be.

"Alright, alright, I won't. Just stop throwing things," he replied, catching the pillow. He shot me a glare. "You're lucky you're sick."

I rolled my eyes and snatched the last piece of chicken from the plate.

"The doctor will be here soon," Chanyeol said as he started clearing the empty plates.

"I told you not to worry about it. I'll be fine by tomorrow," I argued.

"Says the person who can't even get out of bed by herself," he chuckled.

"I can..."

"Don't even try. Jisoo is with San. She'll help you shower since you can manage that on your own," he laughed, dodging the glare I shot at him before finally leaving my room.

Stupid illness.

I spent the afternoon glued to my phone, playing mindless games and scrolling through webtoons. Then it hit me like a ton of bricks: ice cream. The pint of strawberry cheesecake that Lisa had bought for me was calling my name. My mouth watered just thinking about its creamy sweetness.

I really need that right now.

But the thought of getting out of bed felt torturous. My body felt like it weighed a ton, and the mattress's pull was almost impossible to resist.