Page 5 of Keeping Promises

My first day off in what feels like weeks, and instead of sleeping in like I’d been planning, I was up earlier than my alarm, feeling extremely nauseous. It’s probably just the stress of working so much lately. I’m one of the few stylists at the salon that does both hair and makeup, so my boss, Chad, is always volunteering me for any and every outside gig we get offered. My bank account certainly doesn’t mind, but it’s starting to wear on me.

Today I have to catch up on laundry, grocery shop, and then tonight meet the gang for drinks. It feels like forever since I’ve seen my friends. We used to joke that Lexi was a workaholic before meeting Ben, and even though she absolutely was, I feel as though I’ve now taken up that role.

Since I’m up early, I might as well make the most of my day and start with a grocery list. I’ve barely had any time to shop, mainly just picking up takeout on my way home and usually passing out before I even finish it. I don’t know why I’ve been so tired lately.

I’m going through each room, adding what other essentials I might need from the store as I sing along to my favorite ’80s music playlist.

Face wash…check.

Toilet paper…check.

Razors…check.

Probably good to stock up on tampons, too. I remember to buy a box every month before starting my period, but I need to check how many are left from last month. I crouch down in front of the bathroom cabinet and nearly fall over when I see the unopened box sitting there staring at me.

A brand-new box of tampons, which means that I didn’t use any last month.Did I really not notice that I didn’t have a period?I guess not. When Lexi lived here, we were basically on the same cycle—you know that joke that friends are so close they even get their periods together.

Oh fuck. No, no, no. I can’t be… I pull up the calendar on my phone to see where I marked my last period, and sure enough, I missed it.

Shit!

This is one of those moments I wish Lexi was just down the hall because I need her right now. I open the group chat I have with her and Brynn and send an SOS.

Me:9-1-1!

I don’t have to wait more than two minutes before those three dots appear, alerting me that someone is typing.

Lexi:What’s wrong? Are you okay?

Me:I need you – STAT!

Lexi:I’m on my way.

Brynn:I just got to the gym and have to get ready to teach, but I’ll swing by after.

Brynn:If you need me right now, though, I’ll get someone else to cover my classes and be there in ten.

I love that my best friends are willing to drop their lives to come running.

Lexi:Don’t be ridiculous. Teach your class. I’m already in the car. I’ll text you once I’m at the apartment if we need reinforcements.

My phone vibrates a few more times, alerting me of incoming messages to the chat, but I ignore them, sitting on the bathroom floor, my knees pulled into my chest, having a staring contest with the tampon box.

What feels like hours later, my head pops up off my forearms when I hear the front door open and close.

“Hadley! Hadley, where are you,” Lexi yells in a panic.

“I’m in here,” I call out.

The sound of her footsteps quickly approaches, and she races into the bathroom. Rushing over to me, she joins me on the floor.

“What’s wrong? The last time there was a 9-1-1 in our group chat, I let you guys know that I had sex with my boss. Knowing that your boss is gay, I don’t think that’s the case.”

A giggle slips before I unleash the fury of the bottled-up emotions. In a matter of seconds, she pulls me into her arms and rocks us back and forth.

“Hey, it was a joke, but now you’re starting to scare me, Hadley. What’s wrong?”

After I try to gather myself together, I sit up and grab the box of tampons.

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