The Freak (mxm)

Chapter 15: You reap what you sow

"I seem to myself, as in a dream/ An accidental guest in this dreadful body"(Anna Akhmatova)

NOUR'S POV

I woke up surprisingly late the next morning. It was almost noon and I couldn't help to feel a bit guilty when I realised I had overslept. When I was a teen, my dad would never let Amine and I sleep after 8am on week-ends. He used to barge into our rooms, opening the curtains and saying shit about early birds catching the fucking worm. I don't feel like I've ever catch any worms in my life but now, as a result, I can't fully enjoy sleeping in. Thanks, dad.

I distinctly hear some noises in the kitchen and recognise Rémy's voice as he says goodbye to my brother and leaves the house. How weird. He usually leaves around nine, as he spends most of his time at the Library of his university, working on his thesis. Maybe he stayed up late last night.

Crap! Last night! How could I forgot about last night? Does he regret what happened? But nothing happened, right? He just wanted to... erm, give me a hand, as he said. I hope he isn't in trouble with his clingy boyfriend now, but surely he is clever enough to keep our weird encounter for himself? More importantly, did he see the scars on my thighs and belly? I really hope not. Then again, I had my back to him the whole time, and as soon as it was over, he handed me a towel and left the bathroom. 

So, I am good. Yes. I'm so so good. He doesn't know. He doesn't even have an idea about it. He -

An unexpected ding from my phone interrupts my feeble attempt at comforting myself. 

Hey stranger, wanna hang out?  :)

Becca! I immediately text back, feeling a bit guilty for not getting in touch for so long. 

Hey, what's up Beccie? Ofc, I 'd love to! When? 

I smile when I get another text a few seconds later:

Great, I was beginning to think you were avoiding me, lmao. Tonight, at 8, The Handmaid's Tale pub? 

My smile instantly vanishes as I shake my head in disappointment. A pub! What is it that people find to these cranky, crowded places? 

Idk. What about a film instead? I'd love to watch Peter Farrelly's new film Green Book. 

I hope she agrees. It would be so much better if we could go to the cinema. I haven't seen her in a while, so I'm not sure how well the conversation will go. At least, in the cinema, you're not supposed to handle a conversation and when the film is over, we can always talk about it. 

Maybe another time? I have tons of things to tell u tbh, so the pub would be a more appropriate place to catch up :)

I  let out a sigh. I tried. 

No prob Becca, The Handmaid's tale it is, then! See u in a bit. 

Thanks, Nour. Looking forward to it ;)

Me too x

Okay, maybe it won't be so bad? Last time we talked for quite a while. I really really don't want to go to a pub, but how could I say no without looking a bit weird? Plus, I don't want to anger my only friend. Beggars can't be choosers. 

A sudden stomach cramp makes me look down instinctively at my bedside table, to find the bottle empty. Shit! I need to ask Matthias what's the name of these pills, so I can get new ones. He said I had to take them for seven weeks, just to make sure that this failed pregnancy didn't have any long-lasting effects on my system.