Thinking Out Loud

Chapter 3

"For gods sake!" Dianne's toast, burnt within an inch of its life, popped up out of the toaster, smoking slightly. From the moment Dianne woke up, things seemed to be going wrong. Tim hadn't done terribly on his first show but Dianne knew they wouldn't last long in the competition so now that week two was approaching, her stress levels were high. It didn't help that she'd ran out of the right colour foundation so she had had to make do with just concealer, her mascara was on the verge of drying up and she had started her period after coming off birth control. Having read up on it, she knew this was only a 'withdrawal' bleed and not a proper period but her hormones were messed up. Everything was getting under her skin and Dianne was sure she was going to snap at someone, either Joe or Tim, at some point today.

She pulled the burnt toast out of the toaster and dropped both slices straight into the bin before putting two new ones in and watching more carefully to make sure it didn't burn. A yawn overtook her as she stood by the toaster; these early mornings were not doing her any good, especially when she didn't want to go to sleep so early because it was the only time she saw Joe. As her toast popped up, this time the perfect shade of brown, Dianne put both slices on a plate and buttered them with almond butter, sitting down to eat them at the breakfast bar. She ate whilst scrolling through her phone, as usual, and was just about to get up to put her plate in the bin when she felt a strong pair of arms wrap around her waist and a head bury in her shoulder, light kisses being pressed onto her skin.
"Morning," Dianne said as she brought her hand up to Joe's head, playing with his hair.
"How you feeling, ready for week two?"
"No. I'm tired and stressed and I'm bleeding."
"Why are yo- oh."
"Yeh." Joe pulled away from her and took her plate to put it in the dishwasher. "Do you want a coffee or something?"
"Please," she sighed. Joe glanced at her, his eyes sympathetic, before making her a coffee.
"Thank you gorgeous." Dianne took the coffee Joe was holding out to her and sipped it tenderly, careful of the heat.

When she had finished her coffee, Dianne stopped her and Joe's conversation as she had to leave. Dianne stood up to put her cup in the dishwasher and noticed that her stomach was bloated and puffy, making her look bigger than she was.
"Joe, do I look fat?" She turned to the side and lifted up her top.
"No." He shook his head, "You look gorgeous, as ever."
"I feel so fat today."
"Is it a symptom?"
"Ah, good point. I think it is. I need to leave." Joe pouted. "I know, I'd much rather stay with you all day than go and dance but I can't imagine today lasting till ten. Not sure my body or my brain could hack it. I reckon I'll be back for eight."
"I'll have dinner ready as usual, see you later. Just call me if you need anything bringing. Painkillers, chocolate, water... you name it, I'll bring it."
"You're sweet. I'll see you later." They shared a kiss quickly before Dianne grabbed her things and headed out the door.

She stopped the music and unplugged her phone. Today had gone all right, but Dianne just wasn't happy. Throughout the day, she had tried to cover up her mood and leave it behind; she was a professional and knew better than to bring her personal life into the training room.
"I'll see you tomorrow." Tim appeared behind her and hugged her.
"See ya Tim." Dianne smiled a fake smile, one that didn't reflect how she was feeling at all. As soon as Tim had left, Dianne packed her things away quickly and waited around for her car to pick her up. When she was in the back of a cab, she messaged Joe to let him know and leaned back in her seat, sighing heavily.

"Joe," she whined. Dianne was sat on the sofa, wrapped in a blanket, her knees tucked up to her chest. All she wanted was a cuddle but Joe was too busy sorting out the kitchen, cleaning up after dinner and tidying it.
"Yes gorgeous?"
"Are you nearly done?"
"Yep." Joe put the last plate into its cupboard and turned to look at his girlfriend, who was just a ball of blanket with a bit of red poking out the top. "Do you want anything bringing over?"
"No thank you, but I would like a cuddle." Joe pouted. He hated it when Dianne wasn't herself, when she was sad or in pain. Walking over to her, he sat down on the sofa and Dianne leaned into him immediately- still wrapped in the blanket- instantly feeling a lot better.
"You ok?" Joe asked, moving his head to kiss her hairline.
"It's just not been a good day," she murmured, "my foundations ran out, my mascara has pretty much dried up, I came on my period, it's week two which means someone's gonna go and I'm hormonal."
"I can go out and get you your makeup tomorrow if you like?"
"Aw, please. That would be amazing considering I have no time to do it."
"Just give me a list of the things you want and I'll get them for you tomorrow," Joe said before kissing her head again.
"You are a godsend, Sugg, an actual angel."

Before long, Dianne had dropped off wrapped in Joe's arms. Joe, not having the heart to wake her up so they could go to bed, just carried on watching tv; he didn't need to be up early tomorrow and he could stay awake, so Joe decided staying up was better so as not to disturb her.

It was getting closer to midnight and Joe was getting more tired. He didn't want them both to sleep on the sofa, they wouldn't get a proper night's sleep so he turned the tv off and, having one arm under her knees, one around her back, Joe stood up with Dianne and carried her carefully out of the living room, up the stairs, and into their bedroom. Joe pulled back the covers on her side and lowered her carefully into her bed. Knowing she wouldn't be best pleased if she woke up in makeup, Joe took a wipe and carefully wiped it over her face, trying not to wake her up. She had already changed into comfy clothes so he didn't need to put her pyjamas on her. As he straightened up, Joe saw a small smile playing on Dianne's face.
"You are a little shit," he laughed, "have you been awake this whole time?!"
"I woke up when you put me on the bed," she said, eyes still shut, "and I was gonna show it but then you started to wipe my makeup off and I didn't wanna surprise you or something." Her eyes fluttered open, "you are the cutest person I've ever met."
Joe blushed slightly. "I can't believe you," he said as he shook his head, "I just carried you all the way up, took your makeup off, would have put pyjamas on you, and you were awake." Dianne giggled. "Go back to sleep you weirdo. You've got another busy day tomorrow."