My heart jumps to my throat when I catch a familiar scent. 
Why does it appear around me so often these days? 
I turn around looking for the owner frantically but I can't spot them. 
-
"How do you know me?" 
"How can I not?" 
"You're quite popular, I'm not, so I had no idea you'd be into me." 
"I'm not into you. I just like making friends." 
"Yeah sure, like you haven't been practically undressing me with your eyes." 
"I have not been doing that!"

Sillage

"A-Are you sure about that?" I ask raising an eyebrow. 


"Absolutely." He says firmly, taking my hand in his. 


"Sam, this really isn't gonna get you anywhere. I don't think we should date, it might only last a few weeks, maybe less than a month?" I withdraw my hand, running it through my hair. 


"I, I don't care, I made my decision, this will be it." 


"I don't want to hurt. I don't want to hurt any of you. Are you- ouch." I clutch my stomach's left side, sitting down on the floor immediately. 


"Oh my god Mia, are you okay? Does it hurt too much? Shall I take you to the hospita-" 


"Jim, I'm not dying right now, it's just period cramps." I say waving my hands in the air. 


I had my period last week. But I read about leukemia online and apparently this is one of the symptoms and I don't think there's any solution except waiting and antibiotics. 


twenty three