Vault

Twenty-Eight

A sharp pain dug into my lower abdomen, pulling me from my slumber. I smiled at the sight of Karl asleep next to me. His pink lips were slightly parted as light snores fell from them. God, he's perfect. The sharp pain pushed through me again, making me move my attention from Karl.

I carefully got out of bed, making sure not to wake him up, and quickly got into my bathroom. I knew what the pain was; I've had it every month since I was fourteen. But of course, this had to freaking happen today. While Karl is asleep in my bed.

I sighed as I reached into the nearby cabinet where I kept my supplies, the box being empty. Fuck me. Cool, exactly what I needed.

I groaned as I felt the pain again. My periods have always been absolute hell. Being one of the 176 million women in the world to struggle with endometriosis somehow made me feel like I was exaggerating my pain even though I know how legitimate it is and I've never had someone refer to it as if it wasn't valid. But I can't help it. That's just how my mind works.

So now what do I do? I need go to the store obviously, which is not a big deal, but do I wake Karl up? I was still in the bathroom, trying to sooth the pain in my abdomen before I could stand up. I grabbed my phone and immediately texted the girls.

Me: Okay SOS. I've got a code red and need supplies asap. I've got a man asleep in my bed, do I wake him up to tell him where I'm going? Or leave a note and run?

Maddy: Well who's the man?!

Katie: Karl...

Maddy: Girl WHAT?!

Me: Not the point at this present moment

Katie: Wake him up

Me: And if he wants to come with me?

Maddy: Let him go with you? Every woman rides a crimson wave once a month, it's normal

Me: I know that, but it won't gross him out? Chris and Jimmy have grown up since high school and they don't freak out about it anymore, but they used to. They'd refuse to walk into a store with me if I needed to buy tampons

Katie: We've taught them to get the hell over it. I think Karl will surprise you, just wake him up and let us know if you need anything

I sighed as I got up and left the bathroom, quickly pulling on my black leggings from last night. I smiled down at his cute face and gently placed my lips against his cheek. His snores stopped so I leaned down and kissed his cheek again. A small smiled creeped across his lips in response. I placed one more kiss, this time against his lips.

"Good morning," Karl groaned sleepily after a moment, "never wake me up any other way."

"Deal," I agreed, "I like your morning voice."

"Then we need to have more sleepovers so you can hear it more often," Karl smirked as he finally opened his eyes, "good morning beautiful."

"Good morning," I smiled, "I need to run to the store."

"I'll come with you," Karl smiled.

"You don't have to," I assured him.

"I'm not going to miss a single moment of time to spend with you before I have to leave," Karl smiled.

I felt my heart swell at his words as he got up from bed and pulled on his jeans and hoodie. I could look at him forever, he just consumes my thoughts and feelings but I like it.

I groaned as another spike of pain hit my abdomen.

"Are you okay?" Karl asked concerned.

"Yeah, I just have to pick something up from the store," I forced a smile.