Page 223 of Hooking Up

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Chapter Thirty-Seven

Iris

Iwake up with a familiar headache. AnI've been crying all night, my body is deprived of sleep, salt, and waterheadache.

Coffee and sugar only make it worse.

I'm a zombie at school. I absorb nothing in my classes. I fumble over walking undergrads through experiments. I stare at the results without a clue as to what they mean.

Work is the only thing that makes sense to me.

And even that is fuzzy.

* * *

A long walk helps.The pounding fades to a dull ache. My thoughts settle. The world comes into focus.

I manage to sleep. To get up on time. Shower. Eat breakfast. Drink coffee. Pretend to pay attention at school.

I even make it to the gym. And manage to read a little.

But, all day, I think of him.

He might hate me.

He might never want to see me again.

But then he might not.

He might forgive me.

He might still care about me.

I wait until I'm home. Until I'm fed and showered and ready for bed.

And I text him.

Iris: I'm sorry.

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