Page 44 of SnowBound

He sighed. “Not you too? You’re the third person I met today who’s sick.” He took a step back and lifted his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry, but I don’t wanna catch it.”

“It’s fine. Going back to bed anyway.”

“Good luck, Abby.”

After he left, I adjusted my knitted cream beanie and padded away, thankful for the crisp winter air as it cooled my feverish self, my hands holding my jacket tight around me.

Sitting in a booth, a few hours later, I nursed my second glass of icy water, watching my roommate dirty dancing with Tom. They had been friends with benefits for so long, but I could see they were more in love. Tom had his hands all over her as he whispered what I assumed to be filthy promises, seeing the way she was flustered every time his mouth neared her ear.

The Mexican eatery slash bar had opened during the Holidays, and Ellie and I had been dying to try it out. Famous for their salsa music and homemade guacamole, they had become a popular hangout spot for college students since their opening. Lime green walls, terracotta tiled floors, ceramic topped table, this place was a chaos of colors. For some reason, here the visual overload worked. Somehow.

Amelia, a girl from my leadership and ethics class, slid into the seat opposite me.

“Hey there.” Dressed in all black, with dirty blonde hair and thick kohl lines framing her deep-green eyes, she took a sip from the oversized margarita in her hand. “Where’s Ellie?”

With my chin, I pointed to the dance floor behind her.

“Oh,” she said, pivoting her head in my roommate’s direction. “Damn, I would kill for a guy like Tom.”

I sighed. Because I would too. My friend kept repeating to everyone, all the time, they were just friends enjoying each other’s company and having amazing sex. But the way they were joined at the hip and all lovey-dovey, they didn’t fool any of us.

With my elbow propped up on the table and my chin resting on my open palm, I watched my friend. She looked happy. And carefree. After dating a possessive jerk last year, I was glad she ended up with a good guy this time. Ellie deserved the happiness.

My stomach rumbled, and I splayed a hand over my abdomen, trying to calm the waves rocking my insides.

Taking small, deep breaths, I tried to regain my composure. But the chaos in me refused to lessen, and I cupped my mouth with my other hand as I rushed toward the restroom. Again.

After my four-hour nap this afternoon, I really thought I was well enough to spend a night out with my friends. Yeah, the joke was on me.

Pearls of sweat lined my back as I exited the confines of the stall after I emptied the contents of my stomach. On wobbly legs, I splashed cold water on my face and rinsed my mouth, then made my way back to my table.

Dropping onto the seat, I rolled the glass filled with icy water over my cheeks.

“Girl, you look like hell,” Amelia said, chewing olives from the plate in the middle of the table.

A new surge of nausea swirled in my stomach. “Oh god. I can’t be in this place right now.” Standing, I picked my bag up, ready to bolt out of there.

“You’re leaving?”

“Yeah, well, I thought I was feeling better. Not the case. Can you tell Ellie I had to go, please?” My eyes drifted to my roommate, still in her little love bubble with her boyfriend. Yes, those two weren’t fooling me. “I’m calling it a night and going back to bed.”

Amelia offered me a thumbs-up, bringing her drink to her lips and licking the salty rim. Just the sight of it made my stomach churn.

“Go before I get sick.” She shooed me with a hand. “If you’re contagious, stay away from me.” Her fingers circled my wrist before I could leave, and a wrinkle etched her forehead. “Abby, wait. You look like you’re about to faint. Are you okay to go back by yourself?”

“I’ll halt a cab. Or walk. Don’t worry for me.”

My legs trembled as I reached the sidewalk. Trying to ease my agitated stomach, I took a huge breath in.

For the second time today, I enjoyed the cold air as it made its way to my lungs. After buttoning my jacket, I decided to walk to my dorm, afraid the vibrations of the car would mess with the calm that had now settled inside me.

* * *

“Gurrrl, it’s been three days. Are you sure you don’t have anything serious?” Ellie asked as she removed her coat and discarded it on her bed. She opened the paper bag in her hand and offered me a bowl.

“What is it?” I asked, lifting myself on my forearms, my blanket billowing out around my waist.

“Soup. Thought you’d like that. It’s from your favorite place on campus.”