Mary leaned back in her chair, taking in a deep breath. Here she was again, trying to finish this essay, but found herself too tired to do so. She brought her head to her chest, rubbing the painful area. Mary clicked the save button on her computer, before closing the laptop. There was not a chance she was finishing this now. She just could not focus. She lifted her hand to her mouth, covering it as she coughed. She was suddenly startled as her phone vibrated. She picked it up, opening her new text message. Joey Just got out, coming to get u now.
Mary glanced at the clock, which read six o'clock. "Crap." She whispered under her breath. Where did the time go? She quickly replied, before pushing herself out of the chair. Even a simple task took so much effort for her to complete. She plugged in her curling iron, before pulling off her sweat pants and T-shirt. She quickly pulled on a pair of skinny jeans and a black blouse, quickly tying the bow that rested under the bust. She slid on her black, suede, four-inch heels, with a bow on side. She stood in front of the mirror, quickly curling her dark hair. Mary sprayed her hair with anti-frizz spray and ran her fingers through her hair. Her shiny curls rested on her shoulder. She grabbed her bag just as her phone vibrated again.
Mary heels clicked on the wooded floor as she quickly made her way downstairs to the living room. Luckily nobody was home yet. She pulled on her jacket and opened the front door, shivering at the chilly air as she stepped outside. She made her way down the porch steps, sliding into Joey's car. "Hey." She greeted, leaning in and pressing her lips against his.
"Hi, you look beautiful." He smiled, beginning to pull out of the driveway. "As always."
"Thanks." She said huskily, before falling into a coughing attack.
"And still sound terrible. You should really go to the doctor." Joey glanced at her as she pulled onto the highway.
"I'm fine. It's just a cold." She coughed once more, placing her hand on her chest, struggling to catch her breath.
"A cold doesn't last for two and a half weeks. You could have something worse. Like pneumonia or bronchitis."
"I'd be like deathly ill. I'm fine."
"Could you just go to the doctor? For me? Because if you don't do it yourself, I'm going to force you." Joey sighed, intertwining his right hand with her left hand.
"Fine. I'll call tomorrow. But only for you. And when they tell me that it's just a cold, I'm going to yell at you." Mary smirked, turning her head to look at him.
"Better to be safe than sorry." Joey raised his eyebrow, pulling onto the exit.
"So how was recording?"
"Good. Did you finish your essay?"
"Um…" Mary laughed. "About that."
"Mary, you're going to have to finish it eventually. Actually, by Tuesday. Now you're going to stay up all night doing it Monday, because I know you're not going to do it this weekend."
"I started it." Mary bit down on her lower lip. "Oh and by the way, Domifreak still will not shut up about doing a duet with you."
"Way to change the subject and I'm not going to."
"That's what I told her." Mary shrugged. "She's so annoying."
"Why don't you just move out?"
"Because she won't give me permission. But believe me, the day I turn eighteen-exactly four months from today- I am."
"Well good, because my parents are leaving for France in a three days and they're going to be gone for eight months. So you can move in and we'll start searching for our own place."
"Sounds good to me." Mary coughed as they pulled into the parking lot. She stepped out of the car, placing her hand in Joey's as they walked up the pavement. They stepped inside the warm restaurant, where a young woman led them to a table. They both sat down and listened to her explain the night's specials. When she left, they opened their menus and both began to read the Italian foods. This was their favorite restaurant and Joey would always treat Mary here. "I think I'm going with the Fettuccini Alfredo tonight."
"That sounds good. I think I'm going with the Gnocchi Bolognese."
"Awe, nothing I can have."
"It's not my fault you're a vegetarian." Joey laughed, shaking his head at his girlfriend. It was a habit for Mary to pick at his food. And the only time she didn't, was when he ordered meat. Her commitment to giving up meat had lasted for almost a year now and Joey had liked it. Now, whenever he ordered meat, he'd stop her from picking at his food.
She took a sip of her soda, before falling into another coughing attack. She held her chest, gasping for air. This had been happening for two weeks now and it was only getting worse. "Are you alright?"
She spit out one last cough, before nodding her head. "I'm fine."
"I don't think you are. You really need to go to the doctor. It's only getting worse."
"Okay, okay. I will. I told you, I'll call tomorrow for an appointment." She pushed her curls behind her ears and closed her menu. They both ordered their food and Mary jumped on the bread as it arrived on the table. Joey stared at her, shaking his head. She laughed, slipping a piece of warm bread into her mouth. "What? I'm starving. I haven't eaten anything since lunch."
"And that was at eleven. That's probably why you're sick. You're starving yourself." Joey shook his head, taking a piece of bread to his small plate.
"No, I just wasn't hungry until like an hour ago." Mary said. "And I'd never be able to starve myself. Food is just…so good."
Joey laughed at his girlfriend for the umpteenth time. "You're crazy. But I love you."
"Thanks, I love you too." She stuffed more bread into her mouth, before taking another sip of her soda.
It wasn't long before their food was served. They both ate, while discussing their day and planning their future life together when Mary moves out. After they finished they both decided to share a chocolate, peanut butter cheesecake. But Mary was only able to take two bites before she complained she was full again. And she had only eaten a few bites of her pasta. "Oh my god, I'm so full."
"You hardly even ate."
"I know. I don't know what's with me lately. I'm so full all the time. I don't like it." She laughed. "I guess it's my cold."
"Now I have to eat it all." Joey slipped another spoonful of the cheesecake and vanilla ice cream in his mouth.
Mary laughed, as she watched her boyfriend finish the cheesecake. "I love you."
"I love you too." They both leaned in over the table, pressing their lips together. When the pulled apart, Mary struggled to breathe. She placed her hand on her chest again and quietly coughed, gasping for more air. She forced a smile at Joey, pretending as if everything was alright. Maybe it wasn't just a cold.
Thanks for reading! Some of you may know me. I have written 20 stories for Hannah Montana, Wizards OF Waverly Place, Another Cinderella Story, H20: Just Add Water, Titanic, Enchanted, and Instant Star. I love to write, act, sing, and I love, love, love receiving reviews. I hope you enjoyed my story so far. There is still plenty to come. Thanks again and REVIEW!
BellaRose55