The First Few Nights of May (Pt. 4)

There aren’t enough teen queer romance stories in this world.

I got food poisoning the day after we went to the sushi place. I spent that weekend hidden under my rainbow comforter, watching Netflix with a bucket by my side.

When Monday came along, I was still sick, and I was somehow able to summon the strength to text Joyce and let her know I wasn’t going to school and probably wouldn’t be anytime soon. However, she soon arrived, kicking my bedroom door gently open. My parents had let her in (they knew what was going on), and then left for work, entrusting me with the house and my own emotions.

“If you’re skipping school today,” Joyce said. “Then so am I.” She had driven to my house in her pajamas, strangely, and now it looked as though we were having a slumber party in a messy bedroom that had a slight musky smell of vomit.

I tried to protest Joyce’s reasoning, stating that she was going to get in trouble with either our guidance counselor, the principal, or both. “What about your college? They’re going to be looking at your attendance right?”

Joyce scoffed. “This is the first school day I’ve missed in five years. Cut me some slack, Hermione.”

“My name’s Kelsey.”

“You didn’t get the joke? I don’t get you.”

We spent the day listening to Chuck Mangold records and watching scary documentaries on YouTube. Sometimes I would have to run to the bathroom next to my bedroom, but Joyce understood and she just kept making me green tea. When my parents finally got home, they weren’t surprised to find the two of us, our arms wrapped around each other, watching vines on Joyce’s phone.

I felt awkward, because Joyce did all these kind things for me. I had never really been in a relationship before where the other person didn’t expect me to do something for them every time they gave me a favor. I sort of regret it now, because I never really asked her how she felt. I never asked her about herself, because I was too distracted by her presence. Joyce Carrington was the most beautiful girl I knew, and I wish I had cared for her more than I did.

Author's Note

And so, the saga is continued. We’re getting closer to the end, I think, maybe one or two more parts. Stay tuned.
Also, please be warned of any typos/mistakes in this work or any others. I usually type up these stories on my phone, which doesn’t have the greatest keyboard.
And hey, thanks for reading. Have a good day if you’ve stuck out this far.