Page 116 of Let's Get Textual

Then the guilt is quickly gone—he’s the betrayer, and I’m the betrayed.

I lift myself off the floor and peer into the mirror. I can’t walk back to that bedroom looking like I do. He’ll know I’m upset, and I don’t want to get into this in the middle of the night. In the morning, I’ll tell him I’m having cramps and want to leave. I’m certain he’ll buy it.

I run cold water and rub it over my face, clearing away the tear streaks and hoping to help with the puffiness I see everywhere.

Taking a deep breath and talking myself out of running from this house right this moment, I twist the knob and sneak back down the hallway.

Once I enter the room, I realize I’m faced with another problem: I have to spend the night lying next to him.

Which is going to crush me even more.

Sliding under the covers, I make sure to lie at the edge of the bed so I don’t have to touch him.

Out of nowhere, his hand lands on my shoulder and snakes up, brushing away the hair from my neck. His lips collide with my neck and my body betrays me, sparking to life from the kiss.

“Delia?” he whispers against my skin.

My name sounds like love and duplicity all in one.

“Yeah?”

“You sure you’re okay?”

“My period is here and I’m having horrible cramps.”

“Is there anything I can do?”

I hate that he’s being so sweet right now. It’s almost enough to break me.

Deciding now is the time to ask, I roll over and paste a sweet smile on my face.

“Actually…do you mind if we go home in the morning? I didn’t pack any period essentials and my flow is heavy.”

I have to give him kudos—he doesn’t flinch or bat an eye at my talking freely about menstruation.

Instead he gives me a soft smile. “Whatever you need, we’ll do it.”

He places a kiss to my forehead and I have to squeeze my eyes shut before tears begin to flow again.

“Good night, Delia.”

“Good night, Zach.”

Goodbye, Zach.

Zoe: You okay?

Me: No. We’re about to leave though. I should be home in about two hours.

Zoe: We?

Me: I haven’t talked to him about it yet. I’m scared to. I told him my period is heavy and I’d rather be at home dealing with it. Zoe, he was so sweet about it.

Zoe: But that screenshot…

Me: That screenshot.

“Thankyou so much for everything, Jack. It was wonderful to meet you.”

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