Chapter Twenty-Three

I had gone past my aunt who was in the kitchen. I went into my room, plopping face first onto my bed. My uncle was out fishing as usual, which made me happy.

"Blake?" My aunt called into my room. I could hear her walk in.

"Go away." My voice was muffled by my pillow.

"Honey, what's wrong?" My bed shifted by my feet and I guessed she had sat down.

"I was humiliated." I grumbled.

"I can't hear you, Sweetheart." She touched my leg. I sat up and looked at her.

"Samantha told me that everyone thinks Jason got me pregnant and I was gone because we went to Vegas to get married." Tears started falling down my cheeks. "Then Brice sad I was fat and had thunder thighs and told everyone that Samantha was a lesbian then Jason said Brice was gay and tried to drown him because he was disrespectful."

"So I went to change and Jason followed and saw that I had bled through my bikini bottoms." I sobbed.

"Ew, Vegas?"

"Yeah." I sniffled. "And Jason said he wanted to get married on the beach. That made me happy...."

"Oh, Honey." She hugged me. "It'll be alright. If Jason is really a man, a little blood won't bother him."

"It was a lot."

"It still won't bother him. As for Brice, he's wrong. You are very beautiful and you actually need more meat on your bones. " She poked me causing me to laugh a little. "You get some rest and I'll stop by the store, okay?" She stood, leaving me in the room. I pulled my blanket over me, curling up and eventually falling asleep.

*~~*~~*~~*

"She's laying down right now, Jason. She was very embarrassed today." My aunt's voice drifted into my room. I opened my eyes as my door squeaked closed. My blanket had been pulled up close to my face when I slept.

"I won't wake her." Jason responded softly. My door opened with a soft creak then closed again. The blanket hid my face so I couldn't see much. Something tapped on my nightstand then someone sat on my bed by my stomach. I was laying on my side and didn't move as a hand touched my hip. It was heavy but soft. Jason gave a deep sigh.

"I'm sorry you were embarrassed." He spoke softly. I sniffled, realizing my face was puffy from crying. "It wasn't fair to you."

"It wasn't fair to anyone." I croaked, moving my blanket from my face.

"Did I wake you?"

"No." I looked to my nightstand to see chocolates and flowers then looked up at him. "Thank you."

"You don't have to worry about Brice anymore." He rubbed my leg. I grabbed his shirt, pulling him down on top of me. He placed a hand on either side as I hugged him. He rolled so he laid next to me and took his shoes off.

"Ah!" I flinched, holding my stomach as I cramped.

"Did I hurt you?" His eyes widened. I shook my head.

"Cramps." I groaned. He crawled under the blanket and placed a hand low on my belly. It was like a furnace.

"I know heat helps." He was propped on one elbow. I scooted closer to him, feeling his heat through my hoodie. He laid down, pulling me into his arms.

"About earlier-"

"Doesn't bother me." He interrupted. He used to get me chocolate and get my heating pad when I was on my period then lay with me until I felt better. That was when we were just friends, though. "Never has." I smiled, remembering when we would be at school and I didn't have pads or tampons. He would either give me his jacket or walk behind me to keep me from becoming demeaned. He made it a habit to carry extra pads and tampons in his bag for me and pants incase something happened. It was another thing that made me fall in love with him. He always took care of me. From the very beginning. Suddenly, I started crying again.

"What is it?" He kissed my forehead.

"I can't go swimming for a week!"

"Why not?" He questioned.

"Because my body says it's 'shark week'." I cried. I could hear and perceive him chuckle.

"Then I won't swim either. Don't worry." He rubbed my back. "I'll stay with you."

"You're so sweet." I wept.