Not So Complicated

Chapter thirteen

Carmen's POV

Something didn't feel right. Or maybe I was overthinking it. Daniel kept asking me what was up with me in every class, but all I did was tell him that I was feeling a bit under weather and wasn't my day.

How long could I tell him the same thing? How long could I be feeling under weather? It couldn't go on.

I had to pull myself together, no matter what. It was getting to me to an extent where I couldn't sleep or eat properly. I hadn't spoken to Phoenix for a long time as well. He had gotten busy too, I couldn't just blame him like that.

It was around half past three in the afternoon when I couldn't sit in class anymore.

"Can you please collect my assignment if he gives any?" I asked Dan.

"Of course. Are you headed home?" He asked, concern etching his face.

"Yeah, I'm going home. I really can't sit for three more classes." I informed him and walked out of the class before the next professor walked in.

Though it felt good hitting the streets after sitting in a packed class, I couldn't see any difference in how I felt on the inside.

Reaching home, I straight away fell on my bed and dozed off, hoping to feel a little better.

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I felt someone stroking my cheek to which I slowly peeled my eyes open. It was Esme who was trying to wake me up.

"Sleep well?" She spoke softly.

I nodded, not able to speak immediately since I was too sleep driven.

"Its seven, Cams. You're not hungry?"

I slept for so long? Whoa.

"Its seven? Wow."

"I didn't want to wake you up and thought that you needed the sleep since you've been exhausted all these days. But I thought you'd need something to eat. So I woke you up."

"Oh, yay. I'll be out in a minute." I told her and went to brush my teeth.

Only when I saw myself in the mirror, I realized that my face had become pale and I looked like a mess, no doubt in that.

I hadn't even changed my clothes, I had just crashed on my bed the moment I reached home.

Pull yourself together, Carmen. Come on.

Drawing in a deep breath, I walked out of the bathroom with a fresh face and joined Esme in the kitchen.

She made me sit on the counter and stood facing me.

"You look sick, Cams. And I'm really worried for you. I can't see you struggling like this anymore. Please see a doctor? I'll come with you, if you want me to. But, please see a doctor? You look very exhausted."

"O-okay, I'll take an appointment as soon as possible. You come with me when I go."

She handed me a glass of milk and told me that she'd cook dinner in a few minutes.

The door bell rang, causing the both of us to look at each other, as if to guess who it was. She darted towards the door and there was a little shuffling before I saw Arlo in front of me.

I smiled at him with the glass of milk almost empty and even before I spoke, he sighed as if he was relieved when he saw me and came close to me, cupping my face in his palms and bore his greyish blue eyes into mine.

His eyes had concern filled in them and he hugged me to himself, allowing a very satisfying warmth flowing through me.

"How are you feeling?" He almost whispered, still hugging me to his chest.