Just Kidding | ✔️

Chapter 52: BLEED

♡

Morning welcomes me as it usually does as of late. Except this time. . .this time something is off. Whether it be the fatigue or the unusual soreness inside of my bones, I can't help but feel as if something is off. I'd like to say it's due to Cooper, who is currently resting beside me, naked more or less, but my gut tells me I'm wishing for a miracle in that department.

Speaking of miracles, last night was-wow. That's all that comes to mind when I think of the gentle way Cooper handled me. The soft touch of his lips, the stroke of his fingertips and the sensation of him flush against me.

Groaning beside me, Cooper stretches and with a lazy smile, his eyes peel open, immediately locking with mine. "Good morning, beautiful." Kissing my bare side, he works his way up until his mouth covers mine.

"You feeling alright?" He asks, it's most likely a general question considering the circumstances but I can't help but to freeze up. My answer is much more forced than it should be. "Yup! Yup, yup, yup." With a perkiness unlike me at all, I peck his lips. Throwing on Cooper's shirt that's been sprawled out on my bedroom floor the entire night.

"Kyla. . ." Cooper's tone is hard and impatient from behind me but I'm already in the bathroom brushing my teeth, watching my tired eyes in the mirror.

"Kyla!" Cooper appears in the mirror wearing just his sweatpants and the look in his icy blue eyes doesn't appeal to me whatsoever. Spitting out the toothpaste I furrow my brows and ask. "What's wrong?" But Cooper's not paying attention to what I'm saying, his gaze is instead zoning in on my bare leg.

"W-What is it? You're scaring me." I ready to turn around, unaware that Cooper would lift the hem of the shirt and expose that I'm wearing nothing beneath. "Cooper!" I gasp. Swiping at his hand that's fisting the white fabric of the shirt, I writhe away.

As I expected, Cooper's grip doesn't loosen, not one bit as he yanks me closer to his side. "Stop moving, Kyla." He says fiercely.

"What are you doing?!" I whine, resulting in my back to hit the counter and Cooper to fall flush against my front. I'm not sure if I'm more afraid of how little clothing is between us or the fact that Cooper hardly notices at all as he brushes his fingers over my hip. "What is this?" He murmurs.

"Hm?" I blink. What's he on about? Looking down at my leg, not only is it looking more thin than it was just days ago, but there are small red spots splattered in one general area. They don't necessarily scream "disease" but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little panicked.

"I-I don't know." I admit.
"Tell me how you really feel, Kyla." He begs, his palm flat on the plane of my leg. It's warm and smooth as he circles his thumb over the stretch marks lining my sides. I think they're hideous but Cooper begs to differ.

I think over his question. Uncertain of its answer until I think back to the dizziness, nausea, coughing fits, soreness, fatigue, red spots. "Not good." I choke. "Cooper what's happening to me?" I fall into his chest and the look in his bright blue eyes before I collapse is something I'll never, ever forget.

It was a look of complete and utter desolation.

It's just passing three in the afternoon now and Cooper finally left after hours of convincing me to inform Lora and James about my "condition" which in all honesty could just be some silly cold or a sickness that's curable with at the most, medication.

It's difficult to avoid not telling Lora or James when I'm sprawled out on my bed with a cloth shoved up my nose to stop the bleeding.

Nobody can know. Because if this doesn't turn out to be some horrid disease then I'll have wasted everyone's time.

I'd look up what nose bleeds and small red spots are a sign of but I'm far too afraid that this might actually be a horrid disease. So for now I'll wait until possibly I'm far too weak to walk and then I'll take up Cooper's request for a doctor's visit.

"Kyla, honey-" Lora knocks on my bedroom door.
"Shit," I mutter. Chucking the cloth into the trash can on the opposite side of the bed I wipe away the remaining spots of blood with the back of my hand. "Come in!" I announce, praying I don't look as ill as I feel.

Once Lora is strolling inside, her eyes find mine and I'm terribly thankful that her carefree smiles remains. "What's up?" I clear my throat.

"I just wanted to tell you that your friend is out front." She juts her thumb behind her shoulder. "I think James is out talking to them right now."

My brows raise in question. "Who?"

It can't be Chloe, she's out shopping and it's not Riley, she's with Patrick. So who could it. . ."no!" I jump to my feet and race past Lora downstairs. I'm all of a couple inches away when James steps aside to let him in.

"Oh, well there you are. I was about to come get you." James beams at me. "I was just talking to your friend here. It's nice seeing him again. I almost thought you two drifted apart." With that, the only shield against the sorrowful eyes ahead of me is gone and I'm left to stare directly at-

"Bryce." I stop just behind the door frame. Keeping my distance.

"Hi." He's gained a more self conscious and unsteady aura to him, if that was even possible. His skin has paled and his frown holds the weight of his mistakes, there's no doubt he's ridden with guilt. Unless he's bothered by something else.

"What are you doing here?" I gulp, throwing my arms over my chest and awaiting his excuse.

He shoves his hands deep into his sweatpants pocket and shrugs. "I miss you. We were friends once, before all of. . ." He gestures between he and I, "this."

"We were."

"I know I've lost your trust and possibly even your friendship but-"

"You did something bad, Bryce. I don't hate you for it but right now I just need time."

"I understand, okay? I do. It's just," shaking his head Bryce lifts his eyes from the ground to meet mine and once he does, his expression falls into one of concern.

"What?" I halt. My breathing quickens and my pulse races as I watch Bryce lift a shaky finger. Pointing at me he says. "Your nose, It's bleeding. Like really bad."

Fuck. Not again.

"I-I have to go." I step further inside, holding a hand to my face. All too aware of the wet substance smearing across my fingers.

"Kyla-" he steps forward but the door is shut and a wall is put between is. Leaning back against the door I tilt my head and I listen for the sound of Bryce descending the desk stairs. Once he does, I'm thankful I ended our conversation when I did because just then I get the urge to vomit.

Racing across the living room, I barge into the powder room adjacent to the kitchen. I hardly make it to the toilet bowl as I empty my stomach of the solitary Luna bar I've consumed today.

It doesn't last all that long, at least not long enough to persuade me that it's food poisoning. The lack of ache in my stomach says that much as well. But as I open my eyes, the one thing I know for certain is.

Food poisoning doesn't cause someone to throw up blood.