Finding Love (GxG) -completed-

Chapter 32- Life Goes On

Waking up at 10:00AM Tuesday, Elise trudged to the bathroom. Waking up with a killer headache, she tried some Extra Strength Acetaminophen since she had yet to eat. Elise set her alarm for noon and attempted to lay back down. Elise realized that Kam or no Kam, she had college to finish and a job to work. She just wished today wasn’t a work day. If this headache didn’t improve soon, she wouldn’t be any good to anyone. Elise laid in bed for about thirty minutes with no reprieve in the headache. Elise decided she needed something in her stomach so she could take something stronger for the pain. Slowly she descended the stairway to the kitchen to have some toast. One slice of peanut butter toast and a glass of apple juice later, she placed her dishes in the dishwasher. Elise headed back upstairs with her water bottle and two ice packs in hand. Stopping briefly at the bathroom, she grabbed ibuprofen and tossed it back with a chaser of water. She then grabbed two hand towels to wrap around the ice packs and walked back to her bedroom. Gingerly Elise climbed back into bed and closed her eyes. Her alarm went off at 12:00PM and she still felt like a sledgehammer was going inside her head. She had removed the ice packs at some point but didn’t remember doing so. Elise rarely calls in sick to work, but she felt miserable, she has sick leave to cover the absence, and she just couldn’t see working eight hours tonight. Guiltily, Elise made the call into the scheduler at work to alert them she was unable to work due to illness. They were not happy, but since Elise rarely calls in, not much they could say. Elise just hoped they found a replacement so her coworkers weren’t left short.

Elise put a fresh ice pack on her forehead and one on her neck to help beat back the headache. Within twenty minutes it was improving slightly, thank the Lord! Since she cried herself to sleep last night, she had studying to do today, headache or not. Suddenly she remembered she was supposed to ride with Gwyn today so sent her a quick text…

Elise: Wanted to let you know I’m not feeling well. I’m not working tonight; I already called into work. Sorry for any inconvenience.

Gwyn: Oh my goodness, you are never sick. Is there anything I can do to help? 

Elise couldn’t help but smile at Gwyn’s concern. She really did have some remarkable friends. Kali was right… she really did worry too much.

Elise: Thanks, but I think I’ll be okay. Just a really bad headache. I have to get rid of this headache before our exam tomorrow.

Gwyn: Okay. If it changes and you need anything, please let me know. 

Elise: Thank you. I’m lucky to have such awesome friends. (heart emoji)

Of course the emoji made her think of Kameron, but it couldn’t be helped. There were going to be things that triggered those memories. She knew she fell hard and fast for Kameron, and now she had to fake it until she makes it to be back to her self sufficient, hard working, serious student self. This close to graduation, she could not afford to let anything derail her plans. Elise laid down with her laptop and notes and did her best to study. Every few lines, the situation with Kameron would pop back into her head and she would push it down and try to refocus her attention again. 

About 1:30PM she heard Gwyn talking to someone in the large entryway/dining room. Andrea and Kali aren’t usually home until later. They must have gotten done early today. This was her last thought before she drifted back to sleep. 

The next thing Elise knew she awoke to a knock on her door. “Yeah?” 

Kali pushed the door open with a look of concern, shut the door behind her, and came over to sit on the bed beside Elise. Quietly she spoke, “hi. Gwyn said you were home sick? Is there anything I can do?”

Elise did her best to give Kali a smile but knew she failed miserably. In the end she simply shook her head and replied, “No thanks. It’s a headache from h*ll.”

Kali nodded her understanding. “It’s just so out of character for you to call in. That’s why we are all worried… this wouldn’t by chance have anything to do with yesterday would it?” As she finished, Kali put her hand on Elise’s shoulder for support as she stayed under the covers, laying on her side.

“It’s a good possibility.” Elise unlocked her phone and showed her the text and pictures without saying anything. 

Kali gasped when she opened the second picture and then sighed when she finished reading the text. “Oh Elise, I’m so sorry.” Kali moved the laptop and papers and laid down next to Elise before continuing to talk. “Do you have any idea who took the pictures or how they got them?”

Elise laid quietly for a minute and thought. “No, it was so odd Kenny coming here to begin with. Then he said Kameron sent him. Why would she do that?” Kali shook her head and shrugged her shoulders, both hard to do when laying in bed on her side facing Elise. “What if Kameron sent him here as a test? What if she then waited for him to leave and took pictures to get her evidence?”

“If that’s the case, honey you dodged a bullet. You don’t want to be with someone so underhanded and untrusting anyway. Do you really think Kameron would do something like that?” Kali continued to look Elise in the eye as they spoke quietly. “I know that unfortunately doesn’t make the pain go away though. I’m so sorry.”

Elise felt tears come to her eyes and her head started to pound harder again. A knock on the door made Elise jump. She then said loudly, “It’s open.”

The door opened slowly and Andrea came strolling in. As soon as she saw Kali and Elise, she said, “I’m sorry if I’m interrupting, I.. umm can come back later,” and she turned to leave.

Elise took a deep breath to try to calm the pounding before she responded. “Andrea, it’s okay… really. We are just talking. What can I do for you?”

Andrea still looked uncomfortable but went on the side of the bed opposite Kali and sat down. Andrea met Kali’s eyes and raised her eyebrows as if to ask if Elise was okay. Elise rolled to her back so she could see Andrea as they talked. “I saw your truck so knew you were here. I just came to see if there is any chance you’d be willing to help me get Serena home on Thursday or Friday morning?” Of course both Elise and Kali nod. “They said she can come home in a wheelchair. So she will need assistance and I offered we’d watch over her while she healed. I apologize for not asking first, but if possible, I need someone to stay with her when I have to be gone to classes. She will have a full leg cast and lots of bumps and bruises yet. I’m planning to have her stay in my room with me so I can be close to her. You know, in case she needs something.”

Elise smiles. “Of course I’ll help.”

“Me too. Just let us know when.” Kalii says.

Elise decides now is as good a time as any, “You know, her staying in your room is very thoughtful of you. You don’t have to explain though. We would love and accept you both even if you were sleeping together and she wasn’t injured.”

Andrea’s mouth dropped open and she just looked at Elise. “Good to know. Thanks. Umm when I know times and such I’ll let you know. Thank you both!” With that Andrea left the room hurriedly.

Kali laughed. “You shook her up. Now she is going to wonder what we know or don’t know.”

Elise smiled and nodded. “Again I’m feeling a bit better after talking to you and spending time with you both. Are you positive you are going into the correct profession?”

Kali laughed again. “Yes. My experience is that to have the lifestyle I hope for, sales is the job for me. I’m sure you can see how psychology could come in handy in business too.”

“Of course I can. Thank you again. It’s gonna be rough getting over Kam, but I don’t think I have much choice.”

Kali nodded solemnly. “Just remember you are not alone,” With that last reminder, Kali got up, left the room, and pulled the door shut behind her. 

Caffeine… maybe I need caffeine? With that thought, Elise went down to grab some coffee and refill her water bottle before settling in to study for her exam the next morning. Luckily she woke up headache free on Wednesday so she could concentrate enough to test. She did not ace the exam like she hoped, but with everything going on, she was just happy to have passed it.