Lessons To Learn (chapter 14)
Chapter 14
Kate was having a bad morning. She had come to college and then realized her monthly visitor had arrived. Kate was not a pleasant person while on her period. She hated company, and didn't want to put any effort into entertaining people. During this week every month, she tried her best to pamper herself and just do as her body wished. Mostly, take rest. She often was a victim of horrible stomach cramps during this time of the month, and her body aches and tiredness used to allow her to sleep well at night.
Only, she'd been dealing with this on her own for the past 2 years. Now she was in a relationship. Wait. Not relationship. Okay yes, it was a relationship, of sorts. How was she supposed to tell Rick to lay off for a while without making him feel like she was avoiding him? Kate never liked the idea of actually telling a man that she was on her period. And she sure as hell didn't want to tell Rick.
Her lecture that day in his class went rather smoothly. No one got on her nerves and she was grateful for that, but when the class emptied out, she saw that Rick stayed behind and was now walking towards her desk. As soon as he was before her, he leaned in and kissed her, his arms wound around her waist, and she appreciated the kiss, it was strong, and passionate, just like the one he last left her with. She allowed herself to get lost in hi for a moment, until she felt his hand move lower down her back…
She lightly pushed him away. "Enough for now big guy"
"Come on... I was just getting started"
She laughed. "Don't you have another class to go to?"
"I do, but the professor isn't as hot, and wouldn't in her wildest dreams let me come up to her and kiss her senseless"
Kate laughed. "Touché" she said and then began to pack up her things from the desk
"So I'll see you tonight?" he asked.
"Ummm… actually, can we not… tonight?"
The look of confusion on his face was disheartening.
"I just… I've got some stuff to take care of"
He looked at her intently for a moment and then smiled and said
"Alright, so… tomorrow?"
"I'll text you"
"Okay"
He looked so hesitant. So she stepped forward, cradled his face in her hands and kissed him thoroughly.
"I'm late for my next class and so are you… we'll talk later okay?"
Saying that she took her stuff and left.
On her way back home, she received a text from him "I know you said we can't text unless its sexting… but I just needed to make sure you were alright"
She smiled. Why! Why was he everything she's ever wanted!? She quickly typed her reply
"I'm alright, don't worry. I'm driving, ttyl"
"Oh cool. Ttyl Kate"
Rick was out with a few friends this afternoon, but he couldn't bring himself to really be with them. His mind was too caught up thinking about Kate's behaviour today. Why was she being so… different? He didn't know why, but it worried him. He knew he wasn't supposed to care so much, this entire arrangement is based on 'no strings attached'. She didn't owe him her time every single night. But he had assumed she wanted him that often. So when she told him not to come over tonight, it kind of caught him off-guard. He was trying hard not to think of it, but he had to talk to her, and so he had texted her, needing to make sure if she was okay. And even though her reply made him feel a little better, he was still not at ease. What if she was tired of him, what if he wasn't living up to her expectations. She was a woman with experience and he's just a student, what if she'd had enough of their little arrangement and was on the lookout for something more.
Rick knew from the beginning, that even though he was trying to not fall for her, he had fallen face first into this. He cared for her, and he never wanted to lose her. Even though they had no clue if there was any future for this kind of relationship. He was brought out of his thoughts when he noticed his phone ringing. It was her.
He quickly picked up
"Hey"
"Hi, I just got home"
"That's great"
"Where are you?" she asked. And he wondered whether she had changed her mind about not meeting tonight, whether she was calling him over now.
"The college cafeteria, just killing time"
"Oh okay… did anyone see my name on your phone"
"Uhh" he looked around, his friends were too occupied to notice
"No no... Don't worry"
"Anyway, I was just calling to tell you not to worry about me, I'm fine. Just feeling a little unwell"
"I see…"
He wanted to suggest if he could come over just to give her company, or maybe make her some soup or something. But then he thought twice. It was clear she didn't want him there. And it would be an act too filled with affection for the kind of relationship they had agreed to keep.
Kate was waiting him out, wondering if he would suggest that he just came over to keep her company. But it was just too much to expect, especially after they'd made it clear to each other what the limits were. Kate hadn't realized, how much it bothered her that she could only hear female voices around him, until she had said goodbye to him and disconnected the call. The thought wouldn't leave her mind. And she knew it was ridiculous. Of course, he could see other women if he wanted to, and if it was going to be that way, he would have to tell her, but the thought was making her anxious.
She buried her face into her pillow and tried to sleep the paranoia away. She remembered then, her periods always brought along with it these moods. Insecurities and paranoia. She couldn't wait until it was done with.
It was evening and she was bored. She tried busying herself with some assignment corrections but couldn't concentrate. She was feeling tired and so exhausted and the stomach cramps just got worse. She decided to go to bed early. Just before she could close her eyes, she thought of him, and thought she owed him a text at least.
"Hey"
"Hey… how you feeling?"
"Not too good… was just going to call it a night, thought I'll wish you a goodnight"
"Oh yea, goodnight Kate, sleep well"
"I'll see you tomorrow at college?" she asked. She didn't care how needy she sounded.
"I may not attend college tomorrow, a few of us are going trekking early tomorrow morning and we'll return sometime in the evening."
Kate suddenly wanted this conversation to end. "Oh cool, have fun"
"Kate? Can I see you tomorrow night?"
The question was simple. And the answer she wanted to give him was simple too. But a 100 million thoughts went through her head before she replied to him.
Chapter 15- Link here- http://caskettastic.livejournal.com/5898.html