Page 51 of Lovefool

My unsubstantiated worries fizzle out, replaced with a new brand of contentment that allows somnolence to descend upon the coziness of Sutton’s bedroom.

I’m in one of his baggy T-shirts. The only thing I’m still wearing that belongs to my original wardrobe are the questionable granny panties providing full pad protection. Unfortunately, they don’t cover up the sound of the intermittent crinkles when I move.

For someone who’s been a longtime fan of dick, tampons are…I just don’t vibe with them. Don’t even get me started on toxic shock syndrome. I read an article about it when I was thirteen and never looked at those miniature cotton missiles the same.

Nobody has ever made me feel like I did a good thing by staying here on this earth. Sutton, though, he rewards me every day because that’s just who he is. I’m starting to really fall for him. Like, a no-climbing-ropes kind of fall.

I need to lighten the mood. I don’t take compliments well. At least, not the deeper-surface ones.

“Careful, if you keep treating me like a princess, I may start to love myself again,” I joke, feeling his palms twitch over my abdomen, where they’re playing guard and staving off any more period cramps that come my way.

Sutton’s voice is so quiet that I’m unsure if I hallucinate what he says to me. The drowsiness in my limbs is starting to pull me under, my eyelids are sagging, and the loud, overbearing, superimposed voices in my head are fading with every unresisting step closer to sleep.

The fear of the future and the pain of the past don’t exist when he’s got me lovingly embraced in the present.

“One day, I hope I can help you get there again.”

20

CRUSHES AND CONVERSATIONS

Wednesday, February 24th, 2:51 p.m.

LAKE

Which dress looks better? *screenshot attached*

SUTTON

Ooh, am I your fashion consultant now?

LAKE

Don’t make me regret asking you.

SUTTON

Get both. They’re stunning on you.

LAKE

I would, but one dress costs me a week’s worth of groceries.

SUTTON

*sent $500*

LAKE

ARE YOU CRAZY??

SUTTON

Get. Both.

LAKE

Why would you do that? I didn’t ask you because I secretly hoped you would blow your money on me.