As He Held My Hand

8. My Knight in Shining Armor Saves Me Again

 

8. My Knight in Shining Armor Saves Me Again

 

Gemma’s POV

 

Alex has still not come to find me yet. I’m thinking about whether or not to go look for her some more when I notice my cup is empty. I really liked the taste of the drink and it’s making my mouth fizz. I stand up, a little too fast I guess because I stagger a bit, and make my way to the kitchen. I hear someone whistle, but I figure that it’s not toward me so I pour myself another cup of the stuff Alex got me earlier. At least it looks like the stuff she gave me.

 

I sip the cup and lean against the counter, watching as people come in and leave the kitchen. Rick comes in after I’ve finished my second cup of the drink. “Hey, Gemma. You look great.” he says, getting a glass of water from the faucet. “Thanks.” I say shyly, my cheeks flushing. I set down my third, half-full cup and walk over to Rick, hoisting myself up onto the counter. I swing my legs back and forth, watching as he drinks his water.

 

“What are you staring at?” he asks, laughing. He tosses away the red cup and puts his hands in his pockets. “You,” I giggle, putting my hand over my mouth. I jump down from the counter and wrap my arms around his neck. I never noticed how cute Rick was up close. He had a dimple on his left cheek whenever he smiled.

 

Suddenly, my lips are against his and he pushes me gently back against the counter. While I kiss him, I feel my stomach lurch. I pull away and put an arm across my stomach. “Are you OK?” he asks, looking down at me. “Yeah, yeah I think so.” I say, kissing him again. But I’m not OK. I feel like I’m going to throw up. I pull away again and clutch my stomach. “Gemma…” he starts.

 

“Is there a bathroom somewhere?” I ask. “Uh, yeah. There’s one upstairs that no one uses. Are you sure you’re alright?” he asks. I shake my head and half run half walk up the stairs. I don’t know where upstairs the bathroom is, so I open a few doors to look for one. I push open the second door and look up to see a girl straddled across a guy. I recognize the guy from somewhere, but I can’t remember right now.

 

They stop what they’re doing and look over at me, the girl looking very embarrassed. “Gemma?” the guy asks, and I realize it’s Grant. Perfect, I just walked in on Grant and some girl nearly doing it. I’m about to say something, but when I open my mouth, I throw up everything I’ve eaten in the last few hours.

 

“Shit.” I mumble, tucking my hair behind my ear. “Gemma.” he says, pushing himself off the bed and coming to my side. He pulls his t-shirt on over his head and then crouches down next to me. “Grant? Grant!” the girl yells after him. He waves her off and places a hand on my shoulder. “Oh, ew, OK, let’s get you to the bathroom.” he says. Great, my knight in shining armor is here to save me again. He leads me to the bathroom where I can puke into the toilet instead of all over the floor. I crouch down on the floor just in time before I throw up again. Grant twists my hair and holds it back, and suddenly, I’m thankful for him being there with me.

 

I sit up for a second, my stomach feeling slightly better. “I’m sorry you have to see this.” I say. Then I puke again. “Oww.” I moan. I feel a cool hand on my back as I heave up the last of the contents of my stomach and then lean back. “Are you alright?” Grant asks. “I think so…my stomach doesn’t hurt as much.” I say. I pull my legs up to my chest and rest my head on my knees. Grant stands up, grabs a small paper cup, and fills it with water. Then he sits back down next to me and hands me the water. It feels good on my throat.