The Exchange

Chapter 5

I woke up the next morning with blood stains on my shorts and cramps that felt like someone was using a jackhammer on my uterus.

I knew I wasn't a weak-ass bitch. Only hormones could make me so pissed for no reason.

And plus, I cried like a baby listening to that song I instantly loved, Missing. I actually cried.

I cleaned myself up after examining my terribly pimpled face, which had only gotten worse since yesterday. I didn't mind too much, since I didn't really have anyone that I had to impress, but if I didn't get any Midol in my system within five minutes, I was sure I was going to die.

I went through the medicine cabinet in my bathroom, checking every bottle I pulled out of the cabinet. Allergy relief, acid reducer, a prescription from six months ago that I never finished, and finally, Midol. I only had a few more left, which I would certainly use before the end of the period, so I went downstairs to grab a pen and paper to write a note that we needed more.

I headed into the kitchen, but there Viktor sat in my chair at the kitchen table, with Matt right beside him as they enjoyed some cereal.

Who in the hell did he think he was?

"Good morning." Viktor greeted me as if he had done nothing wrong.

I decided to be civil about it. "Good morning. How'd you guys sleep?"

"Well, we didn't sleep very much. Lots of stuff to talk about," Matt said.

I sat down in what was supposed to be Viktor's chair and ran my finger along the curved, elegant design. "I can imagine."

Viktor smiled. "It's just so great to be with Matt again. It's better being with someone than just texting them."

"My best friend lives right next door to me, so I can't really imagine being apart like that," I said.

"Oh, Arti lives next door?" Viktor asked, eyebrows raised.

I nodded.

He smiled. "That's cool. She seems, uh, cool."

"Yeah, he likes your friends a lot so far. But once he meets the hockey team, I'm sure he'll leave you guys alone," Matt said, raising his spoon as he spoke.

I looked to Viktor. "Oh, I'm sure they don't mind. They think you're okay, probably."

"Um, thanks," he replied.

I smiled.

"Why don't you eat something?" Matt suggested to me.

"Do you know where Blaine and Arti put the cookies?" I asked.

Matt crossed his arms. "How about something better for you?"

"You're eating Lucky Charms, so who are you to talk?"

Matt laughed. "True. But that doesn't suddenly make cookies for breakfast a good idea."

"Well, tell that to my freaking uterus. She already made up her mind." I laughed.

Viktor went bright red, and he looked down at the ground.

Matt just let out a sigh. "On top of the fridge."

I smiled. "Thank you."

Maybe that kind of talk was embarrassing for Viktor, but Matthew and I tried to be open with each other as much as we could. Hearing about Arti and her sister, who wouldn't even talk to each other, made my heart cry. I never wanted that to be Matt and me.

I grabbed the half-empty Tupperware of cookies and gave one to Matt for his cooperation. He gave me a quick smile before going back to his conversation with Viktor.