Chapter 9 ― So... Shopping

“Please!” I begged pulling Belle’s arm over and over again. “A quick look. I promise! It won’t take five minutes.”

“That’s what you always say and you take five hours!” She protested and I rolled my eyes. I never took that long. Two hours maybe, not five. She was overreacting.

We were at the shop and they wouldn’t let me go see the electronic department. The only thing I liked about the mall, besides food, was that department. There were always so many new things, new software programs, new gadgets. It was heaven for a geeky girl like me. But that day we went to buy clothes and I was in pain for that reason. I would never understand how people could enjoy going out shopping, it was the most infuriating thing ever.

“You’re no fun!” I moaned pouting like a little girl, I even crossed my arms over my chest and Phebs laughed. She and Belle had several bags in their hands whilst I only got one black trouser, a new grey t-shirt and a mini skirt. I tried to buy some men’s clothes, but Belle didn’t allow it. She tried to make me buy a dress, but I refused roundly.

I tried to go to men’s section again, I wanted a shirt I saw in a mannequin, but Belle saw me again and grabbed me by the elbow. “Where do you think you are going?” She asked and I mumbled a curse under my breath. That girl could be a spy, seriously, nothing could escape her sight.

“I was going to buy a present?” I tried but she looked at me sceptically and I knew it was useless.

“No, missy. We’re not finished yet, so keep walking with us.” I sighed and followed the dictator of shopping. Belle was the kind of girl who seemed nice and fun, but get her to the shop and she becomes another person! Another totally terrifying person.

We went into another shop and Belle and Phebs bought more stuff. I looked around but nothing caught my attention. I was luckier in my brother’s room. And I wasn’t kidding. When Belle was finally satisfied, I smiled hopping we could finally go home. I wasn’t feeling well since that morning, my belly hurt and I felt like staying in bed the whole day. Literally, the girl dragged me here. But I was wrong again because we still had to go to the bookshop. I liked in there, though; the smell and calmness, but I wasn’t a bookworm like Phebs. Even though, she sometimes recommended me a book and I enjoyed it very much. She knew me well and knew what kind of book I would like.

If Belle acted like a crazy person in the women’s department and I transformed in the electronic department, you had to see Phebs in a bookshop. She jumped around like a bunny, taking in her hands as many books as she could, screaming, squeaking even crying of sheer happiness. She was lovely, though.

“Oh, God! They have Dreamless!” She screamed dropping all the books she had and grabbing another one with a beautiful cover: A girl with wavy clothes against a sunset in a beach. “Lucas!” I had no idea who was the boy she was screaming for, but I assumed he was the main character. I just laughed at my lovely friend.

She bought six new books and made me buy two for me. She said it was a series I was going to love with all my heart and I believed her. She was never wrong with me. “May we finally go now? I’m not feeling well and I miss my bed,” I said with my best puppy eyes. My two friends smiled and we made our way home.

We had to pack our things since the boys would pick us up at dinnertime and I had too many things to do, but I only wanted to go to bed. My belly hurt more than before and I started to feel a bit grumpy. Maybe I needed something sweet.

Once we got home, I went straight into the kitchen and grabbed the Nutella from the cabinet and started to eat it with a teaspoon. One of the most beautiful things in the world was the taste of Nutella. Soon the girls appeared in the kitchen and grabbed spoons for themselves and then we all were enjoying together.

I was happy till a strong pain attacked me. I hugged myself and doubled over shutting my eyes tightly. Phebs and Belle got alarmed immediately and started to ask what was wrong. It took me five minutes to do the math and realised what was happening.

“Oh no!” I groaned when another wave of pain attacked me. “My period,” I whispered without voice wanting to shout.

Concern disappeared from their faces before they looked at each other smiling widely. I moaned louder knowing what was next. Phebs and Belle started to cheer up and laughing like I’d just said the most wonderful thing.

My period was horrid. I hated it with all my soul because I was in constant pain and I had to take too many pills for my own good. During five days I was so high that my friends could do whatever they wanted with me, during those days I became all girly and needy, I wanted to cuddle all the time, I needed sweet things, I cried with cheesy movies and I even wore dresses. During those days I was one of them. For me it was a nightmare, for my friends it was their favourite week of the month.

I groaned again when I realised that I was going to be on my period during the first week on tour, the lads were going to see me in this state and that was going to be so embarrassing. Someone kill me now, please! I begged internally hopping some god would hear my prayers.

“Oh my God! We’ll have so much fun!” Belle said clapping and I groaned again. I didn’t know what was worse, their excitement or my pain. I went for the first one.

“Please, don’t make me wear anything too embarrassing,” I begged standing up and going to my room to start packing. They lads were going to see another very humiliating side of me and I wasn’t thrilled about it.

* * *

“WIFEEEE!” Louis cried out walking into our house. I was sitting on the sofa hugging myself. I smiled at them trying to forget about the pain. I didn’t want to take my pills yet, I knew the next day it was going to be worse. The older boy hugged me tightly and I moaned softly but hugged him back anyway. He kissed my cheek sonorously and I giggled. Then it was Harry’s turn, then Liam’s, Zayn’s and finally Niall who sat next to me and put his arm around my shoulders “How are you? You seem tired,” he commented and I got surprised by how he could see so easily that there was something odd with me.

“Nothing to worry about,” I said trying to put him at ease, so I smiled, too. He kissed my temple sweetly and then I looked up at the rest of the boys.

“We’re leaving tomorrow,” Liam told us, the girls and I nodded. “That’s why you have to come with us now. We’ll go in the tour bus, but we’ll get hotel rooms in each city, so you don’t have to worry. I’m so glad you’re coming with us,” he smiled and I couldn’t help but glance at Phebs who was smiling but I could see that it didn’t reach her eyes. She still was worried about seeing Liam and Danielle together and I hated that pain in her lovely green eyes. I would like to hate Liam for what he was doing, but it wasn’t his fault either. It was no one’s fault.

“It’s gonna be bloody amazing!” Louis shouted and we nodded smiling.

“So grab your stuff ‘cos we’re going. Do you have everything ready?” Liam asked being the responsible one he was.

“Yup. We just have to go get our things,” Belle replied. I didn’t feel like moving and she knew it. “Who can help us?” She asked batting her eyelashes and the lads chuckled as they followed them.

Niall started to stand up but I stopped him. I didn’t want to be alone and I liked him next to me too much. The six of them could handle our bags perfectly, he didn’t need to go with them and I wanted him with me. I was already starting to feel all needy.

“Are you really okay?” he asked looking me in me in the eyes.

“Nothing I can’t handle, Niall. I just want you to stay with me for a while. Please?”

He nodded and sat again hugging me. I leaned into his chest and closed my eyes letting his breathing lull me. I loved how warm he felt, how our bodies fitted together so perfectly. As cheesy as it sounds, I felt like I belonged in his arms, next to him.

“You know you can tell me anything, Alex,” he whispered kissing the top of my head. I nodded because I knew I could, I knew he would listen to me, whatever I had to say. I knew it, but that didn’t mean I was going to do it, even more when it was about something so intimate as my period. No, thank you very much.

“I know. Seriously, you don’t have to worry, Niall. I’m okay,” I promised again looking up at him. His eyes met mine and my heart skipped a beat, as usual. I felt all my skin tingling due to how close he was, but I felt like he wasn’t close enough. I bit my lower lip as he stroked my cheeks.

“NIAAAALL!” we heard someone screaming and jumped away from each other. “WHAT ARE YOU DOING TO MY WIFE? GET YOUR NAUGHTY HANDS OFF OF HER!” And soon we heard steps approaching us very quickly. Louis jumped between us and looked at us suspiciously. “What were you doing?” He asked and I felt my cheeks as red as Niall’s. “Why didn’t you go for your luggage, wifey? Aren’t you feeling okay?” In that occasion he looked at me, concerned.

“I’m okay. I just don’t feel like moving right now. Nothing to worry about, beloved husband. But, seriously, it took you a while to notice I wasn’t with you,” I condemned him crossing my arms.

He jumped over me and hugged me so tightly I almost choked. “I’m sorry! It’s all Harry’s fault. He distracts me!”

“You’re a lousy husband. And here I thought you only cheated on me with Eleanor, but no, Harry is part of this horrid drama,” I said in a playful tone. He backed off and took my hands to look me in the eyes.

“I promise everything will be fine, you’re the only one I love!” he promised and I heard Niall laughing at us. “Nothing nor no one will tear us apart!” He added dramatically and we both looked at the same side, like there was a camera right there. Niall burst out laughing and soon I couldn’t hold it anymore.

“Oh, we’re brilliant. We should be in a soap opera,” I commented and both lads laughed.

Soon enough we heard more steps and then all our friends were there with our luggage. Louis jumped to his feet and Niall followed him offering me his hand to help me. I took it smiling.

“Well, we’re going!” Harry cried out and we all cheered up. “The van is waiting for us. We’re all staying at our flat. Right, Boo Bear?”

“Exactly!” Louis affirmed standing next to the curly boy.

“Well then,” I said walking towards my luggage but Niall took it first. “What are we waiting for? Let’s go!”

-:-:-:-

The video is the booktrailer of Starcrossed, the first book of the series, Dreamless (the book Phebs grabs, is the second). I really loved the first and I'm waiting for the second. Lucky Phebs!