a work in progress

Chapter 24 - One Too Many

"Get up sow!" I hear a muffled Harper.

She must have let herself in because I can't remember opening the door for her. I want to speak, but my head is throbbing and the light is having a menacing blinding effect on me.

"Shut up!" I croak grabbing a pillow and a handful of comforter over my head.

"We have partying to do for Hayley. What are you doing asleep at this hour? Didn't you go to work today?"

"Yes I went to work today. I didn't feel good. I left early. In case you were wondering, no, this isn't helping my condition."

"Glad to know you have an excuse for looking like shit."

"Great so can we reschedule tonight to tomorrow so I can adequately hang out with my shittiness? By tomorrow she will have gone," I say sliding my feet near her to gently nudge her off the bed.

"No goes it. Tonight's the night. Get your sorry ass up and get in the shower," she says snatching my covers and pillow and slapping me forcibly on the butt.

"Seriously!" I exclaim writhing in pain.

"Yes seriously," she answers unapologetically. "These moments are few and far between and we've got to maximize them."

"What are you blathering on about?" I ask rubbing my hindquarters still averting my eyes from the light.

"This is about to be the end MC. The end of our time as the trio we know and love. Carpe diem."

"Oh my gosh Harper you sound like Jackson, pimping random clichés, hoping they sound right." I sit up and let my eyes adjust to the harsh overhead light. Harper drops my bedding at the foot of the bed and crawls to sit next to me.

"What's going on?"

"Nothing. Just a migraine."

"I know your migraine's name is Matias and I promise the only cure for you is to get up and come hang out with your best girlfriends."

"You think?"

"I know."

"Yeah."

"Let's do it. You get up and give Hayley today, and I promise tomorrow I'll let you wallow, eat ice cream and we can watch all those insipid love movies you like."

"The Wedding Planner?" I ask sprightly.

"I wouldn't expect any other selection."

"Love you," I say leaning so our foreheads kiss.

"More," she adds grabbing hold of my hand and giving it an affectionate squeeze.

Harper lets me sit for a little while longer before she sort of rolls me out of bed and into the shower. She gives me strict instructions to meet her and Hayley at her townhouse later that night. My shower manages to rejuvenate my body and I convince my mind to put my feelings aside for the sake of Hayley.

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"I'm so glad you're feeling better MC. Harper told me that you weren't well. What was wrong?"

"Oh, it was just a migraine. I'm fine now though. Thanks for asking," I respond before downing a rum punch.

I'm not one for drinking; I prefer the mild sugar rush that comes with my Dr. Pepper. Today however the drinks seem to taste like sweet nectar begging me to ingest them.