Forced to have the Player's Kid (Book One of The Great Age Plague Series)

Chapter Thirty-Three

I woke up the next morning to, once again, vomiting. Luckily, it was before my alarm went off for school, so I managed to have enough time left to get dressed and ready. After French braiding my hair, I went into my bedroom and changed into flowy black dress that cinched at my neck, which sufficiently hid my baby bump. I gathered up my things in my backpack, not forgetting to bring along my gold and white planner, in which I had written down the time and location of my first prenatal doctor's visit that I had in the evening.

Once I exited the bathroom, Josh entered, his hair all messy from bed and his eyes droopy. I don't even think he registered me walking past him, and I couldn't help but giggle into my palm. Morning Josh was my favorite Josh.

Since I had a little time left while waiting for Josh to finish his shower, I proceeded to make him a big breakfast, including some waffles and fruit salad. Josh had this horrible tendency to only eat food loaded with carbs and trans fat, so whenever I cooked for him I always managed to sneak in something with nutrients. Once I was done chopping up the last of the strawberries, Josh entered the kitchen wearing a button up shirt over a tee shirt and some jeans. His hair was tousled wet from the shower and he gave me a smirk that I knew meant trouble.

"You look beautiful," said Josh casually as he grabbed a plate. Trying not to roll my eyes, I went to the fridge and grabbed some lemon water before joining him at the kitchen table. As I sat down, I didn't feel the need to reply to the compliment, as I wasn't sure what to think. Yes, it was nice, but Josh wasn't making this whole "platonic friends" thing any easier by flirting. After a moment of silence, Josh sighed and took a sip of water.

"So," he said "As your friend, I need to know more about you. Tell me about yourself," said Josh. At this, I looked up in confusion. How was I suppose to respond to that? He just sat there smiling, looking interested at how I was going to respond, yet also appearing easy going. His eyelids dropped just slightly with morning tiredness and his shoulders were relaxed

"Uh, what is there to know? I'm not a very interesting person," I said, playing with my hair nervously. Josh shook his head with a white-toothed grin on his face, looking charmed. At this, I blushed and looked down at my half-eaten waffle.

"What's your favorite color?" he asked. I couldn't help but laugh at how ridiculous the question was. It was like something a kindergartner would ask to his new "fwend." I shook my head and chewed thoughtfully.

"I think turquoise. Or maybe like a light yellow," I said "You?"

"Red and white. The colors for the Blackhawk's team, that really good hockey team before the plague hit," Josh said. I nodded and poured some more maple syrup on my waffles. My stomach grumbled and I wondered how that same maple syrup might taste on cheese puffs. Feeling compelled to try it for my baby's sake, I stood up and walked over to the kitchen cabinet, pulling out the bag of cheese puffs I made Josh keep on hand.

"Next question. What is your biggest fear?" asked Josh. He eyed the cheese puffs ruefully with a smile playing on his lips. As I sat down next to him, I felt my heart flutter at that possessive look in his eyes. What was that all about?

"I guess... Well, it used to be my mother dying," I said sadly. I stopped and sat still for a moment, willing myself not to cry at this reveal. I breathed in and out of my nose slowly. She was in Heaven. I had to hold onto that to keep from feeling too lost.

"What is it now?" said Josh quickly. His voice was grave and dark, and I knew that he understood my sorrow. I looked up with a frown, unsure on how to answer his question, and proceeded to pour some cheese puffs on my plate. Covering the cheesy-wonders in maple syrup, I tasted my creation while thinking on the new question. Of course, the taste of the syrup-dripping puffs brought me to my senses, and the answer made complete sense.