CHAPTER 9

I wake up with an immense pain in my lower abdomen.

Ugh!

Was it the spice from the food last night?

That's when it hits me, what time of the month is it? Mid November. I possibly couldn't have started my period. I rush to the toilet and realise that I started early. Damn it, the cramps are killing me. I have a shower, get changed and go to lay in my bed again.

The pain is literally killing me, so I curl up into a ball hoping it'll go away. Maybe this was the reason why I was overthinking the whole Kane situation. It was just to do with my periods, at least I hope this was the reason. I don't know how long I just lay there but the only thing that snaps me out of my thoughts is my phone ringing. It's a video call from the girls but I probably look like a baboon from the pain, so I decline the call.

I put my phone back on my bedside table and lay in a foetal position again. Oh, how I hate periods! We're literally sworn enemies with each other! It's like periods have the upper hand in a war and every girl is the losing side but yet somehow, we all make it out alive. A round of applause ladies and gentlemen for females!

I giggle at my thoughts and this time it was a knock on the door that caught my attention.

The door opens to reveal mum "Hey sweetie, I heard you get up, but you didn't come down" She walks over to my bed and sits on the edge "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine" I say in a weak voice.

"Then what's wro-" She must've realised from the foetal position and the pale face because instead of saying anything further she just makes an 'O' shape with her mouth.

She gets up from the edge of the bed and comes kneels in front of my face "Baby, come down and eat, I'll give you some painkillers after that".

I nod my head and get up to go down with her "What time is it?"

"It's 1 in the afternoon".

I look around the kitchen and realise that neither dad nor Asher are anywhere to be seen "Where's Asher and dad?"

Mum drops cereal for me and puts it in the microwave before turning to look at me "James Allen called, regarding the deal I was telling you about yesterday, so Robert went to discuss it".

I nod my head and start eating "then why did Asher have to go?"

"Well, James wants Asher to start his work experience from next week and so James thought it would be a good idea if Asher came along today to ask any questions regarding timing next week or accounting in general".

"Mum can you make me tea please?" I say whilst putting my head on top of the island?

I hear the kettle starting to boil as the tap opens and then closes.

"Here, Delilah, have the painkillers" I open my eyes to see my mum standing there with water in one hand and the painkillers in the other.

"Thank you" I say whilst taking it from her.

The kettle goes off by then and I start to look out the window until I hear the cup being placed in front of me.

Mum sits next to me and starts to stroke my hair, "Dels, whats wrong?"

I take a sip of my tea and look over at her "Nothing mum, why do you say that?"

"Well, you just came home so upset yesterday and so I'm concerned".

"Mum seriously nothing is wrong, and I was just tired, periods could've been the reason for me feeling low too".

Mum starts crying slightly "I-I… know… t-that moving has b-been hard… y-y-you didn't have time t-to make friends a-and…"

Before mum can continue, I pull her in for a hug and stroke her hair "hey, this has nothing to do with us moving and me making friends, its not yours or dads' fault".

"B-but".

Before she can continue, I cut her off "mum, yes moving has been hard but neither me nor Asher have ever complained" I pull back so I can see her face "you and dad have been the most amazing parents that I could ask for so please stop".

Mum nods her head and hugs me again whilst whispering "thank you".

After a couple of minutes when she calms down, I let go and say to her "I should be the one crying. Hello! Period girl!"

Mum and I laugh as we give a final hug.

"Let's watch a movie" Mum says walking into the living room.

I get up to follow her and sit on the single sofa with a blanket, "Okay, let's watch conjuring".

"You know I don't watch horror movies" Mum says sitting on the 3-seater sofa.

"That's because you're scared" I say glancing at her.

She narrows her eyes to me "put it on".

I smirk and obey the orders from my mother whilst inwardly celebrating.

Halfway through the movie, I get up to go to the toilet. Whilst washing my hands, I look at my reflection and see that colour has returned to my once pale face. I go to my room to check for any notifications and notice a missed call from Kane and Emily but before I can call back; I hear a scream from downstairs.

I sprint as fast as I can and see mum standing covering her mouth whilst dad and Asher are rolling on the floor with laughter. I grasp my stomach from the sprint that now has caused pain to shoot up again and look between them until mum starts playfully hitting dad and Asher.

"What happened?" I ask still confused.

"They walked in and scared me" mum says pouting and glancing over at dad and Asher.

"Asher s-stop l-laughing… it's not funny" dad says in between laughs whilst walking over to hug mum.

I giggle slightly and walk over to my seat again "says you dad, you're still laughing as well".

"Well the difference is, I get away with it" dad says.

"Me too" Asher adds in.

Both of them give mum a hug and dad hand gestures me to join but I just lie, "sorry dad, got stomach pains".

Asher raises an eyebrow knowing what I mean, and dad nods his head "its okay kiddo, we'll come over to you".

They all walk over to where I'm sitting. We do a family hug to which Asher adds in "awkward" causing all of us to laugh and pull back.

"Let's continue the movie and if you boys want to be distracting then you're more than welcome to leave" mum says settling in to her place.

Asher runs upstairs and dad settles next to mum.

"Oh… honey, the deal got finalised" dad says casually.

"ARE YOU SERIOUS?" the pitch of mums voice increases as she hugs dad "Let's celebrate!"

"The Allen's are coming over to our place tomorrow for dinner" dad says before starting the movie.

Allen's are coming? So, Kane is coming?

Definitely the period causing me to think like this!

That's stress for tomorrow, I sink into the sofa and lean my head back drifting into sleep.

Right before I sleep, I reflect of the blessings I have.

The blessing of a family.