Chapter 48: Pains

Time moves so fast. It was exam period, and in a month, prom would be here. Jace, Ronald, Max, Jason, and Madison would soon be seniors. 'I seriously can't wait to finish this exam," Jace whined, dropping the book he had been holding onto his desk. Miranda chuckled as she looked at him. 'That's how you'll be saying it until the results are out. Boom, you'll be among the top 5," she teased. 'Stop talking like you have bad results," he replied, rolling his eyes. 'I'm still struggling to be among the top 10," she whined, resting her head on the table. 'How do you always do it? Being in the top 5 isn't easy." 'You should ask Jason, who's always leading. I'm just a follower," Jace said, chuckling. 'He's always been at the top since we were young. Jason's intelligent, and I think his silence actually pays off," Miranda shrugged. Just as Jace was about to reply, Emma walked into the classroom looking worried. 'Guys," Emma called, approaching them. They immediately focused on her. 'What's wrong?" Mira asked, noticing the dull expression on Emma's face. 'It's Dorah. She's been complaining about stomach pains since we finished the exam," Emma replied, looking even more concerned. Jace sprang to his feet and rushed out of the classroom toward Dorah's. As he reached her, he found her with her head on the desk, her hands clutching her stomach. 'Babe," he called softly, and she slowly raised her head. 'Jace, I'm in pain," she muttered. Tears had already begun to streak down her face. 'You'll be fine. Let's get you to the clinic," he said gently, attempting to help her to her feet, but she resisted. 'Why? What's wrong?" he asked, his voice laced with confusion. 'I'm feeling wetness on my skirt. I think it's my period," she explained, more tears falling as she spoke. 'Shh, stop crying," Jace whispered, wiping away the tears that continued to pour. 'It's nothing to be ashamed of," he added. He removed his jacket and wrapped it around her waist. 'You can get up like this. The jacket will cover it," he said reassuringly. He helped her stand, still holding her carefully. 'You can walk, right?" he asked, his worry evident. 'I can manage," she replied, though her voice was weak. Emma and Miranda made way as they made their way out of the classroom. 'What about Prudence?" Miranda asked, looking back at Emma. 'She's still in her exam, science," Emma replied. 'Where are you guys going?" Ronald's voice called out as he met them on their way. 'Geez! Dorah, what's wrong? You look worn out," he asked, noticing how badly she was struggling. 'Cramps," Jace answered, his expression tense. 'Oh," Ronald said, nodding with understanding. 'Ehm, you should go on without me, and you too, Mira. I need to get her to the clinic. I have to make sure she's okay first," Jace said firmly. 'But…" Miranda started to protest. 'No, Mira. I'll meet up with you guys later," Jace cut in, his tone final. 'You should go. You shouldn't miss your exam. Emma can take me to the clinic," Dorah said, her voice strained with pain. "Emma, you should go get her sportswear from her locker. I'll take her to the clinic and leave afterwards" he said ignoring what Dorah said. 'Okay, don't stay too long," Miranda said, her eyes full of concern as Jace nodded. 'Let's go," Ronald said, and with a final glance at Dorah, he left. Jace looked at her again, his face filled with sorrow. He hated seeing her in pain. 'You should hurry," Jace said, looking at Emma as he gently lifted Dorah into his arms. Emma, still unsure, nodded and hurried to get Dorah's sportswear from her locker. 'Let me down," Dorah protested weakly. 'No, just stay still," Jace insisted, his voice soft but firm. She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder. 'It's paining me," she whimpered. 'I'm sorry, you'll be fine. We're almost at the clinic," Jace whispered soothingly. As they reached the clinic, a nurse approached them. 'What's wrong with her?" the nurse asked. 'Menstrual cramps," Jace said, gently setting Dorah on her feet. " You need to go and get her clean clothes " The nurse said leading her into a room and she came out shortly after. 'She's taking a bath," the nurse said, as Jace gave her a questioning look. Minutes later, Emma arrived, and Jace pointed to the room the nurse had entered with Dorah. The nurse, seeing Emma, immediately led her to the room. After a short while, the trio emerged from the bathroom. Dorah was now resting on the bed. 'Have you eaten?" the nurse asked Dorah. Dorah nodded. 'Okay, that's good. You should take these drugs. It'll help relieve the pain," the nurse said, handing her the medication and a cup of water. Dorah took the medication and gulped it down. 'You'll be fine. Just get some rest," the nurse said kindly. 'Thanks," Dorah replied weakly, and the nurse smiled before leaving. 'Should I rub your stomach for you?" Jace asked gently as Dorah settled back on the bed, her exhaustion evident. 'Jace, your exam…" Dorah murmured, but he was already making his way to the door. 'Oh, I almost forgot about that. I'll go, but what do you want me to get for you when I'm coming back?" he asked, turning to her one last time, his hand gently caressing her cheek. 'Black chocolate and ice cream," Dorah said, pouting cutely. 'Okay, baby. I'll be back before you know it," Jace promised, leaning down to peck her forehead. 'Emma, please help me take care of her," he added, his eyes soft with worry. 'I sure will," Emma said, her voice reassuring. 'Just go already. I'll be fine," Dorah said softly, but she could see the reluctance in Jace's expression. 'Okay, love. Take care of yourself," he said, his voice low and tender, before leaving. Emma watched Jace leave before turning to Dorah. 'You really have one caring guy there," Emma said, sitting in the chair beside her bed. Dorah rolled her eyes playfully. 'Oh, don't get started." Emma chuckled softly. Jace ran all the way to his class, breathless. Surprisingly, he met his friends outside, seemingly waiting for him. 'Why are you guys not in yet? I'm sure the exam has already started," he asked as he reached them. 'We can't leave you behind," Max said with a grin. 'Mira?" Jace asked, looking around. 'She's inside already. Though it took a lot of work to get her in. She insisted on waiting for you," Ronald replied. 'How is she now?" 'The nurse has attended to her," Jace answered. 'Let's go in." They all nodded and began heading into the classroom. Just then, the supervisor stepped in front of them. 'And where are you young men coming from? You're thirty minutes late," she said sternly. 'Clinic," Jace answered, his expression giving nothing away. The supervisor didn't ask any further questions and handed them their exam scripts. As Jace sat beside Miranda, she whispered, 'How's she?" 'She's been attended to. We can go check on her later," Jace whispered back, and Miranda nodded. Emma felt someone tap her shoulder. When she looked up from the bed, she saw Ronald standing there. 'Oh, senior, you're here," Emma said, standing up quickly. He nodded. 'Thank God you're here. I need to go get our bags from class. Can you stay with her?" Emma asked, rubbing her eyelid tiredly. 'Sure. Take your time," Ronald replied with a reassuring nod. Emma left in a hurry, and Ronald sat down beside Dorah on the bed, his fingers gently caressing her hair. He wished he could take away her pain. Dorah shifted slightly under his touch, and her eyes slowly fluttered open. She winced at the light before closing them again, but after a moment, she opened them fully. 'Ronald," she whispered weakly. 'Yes, babe. How are you feeling now?" he asked softly, continuing to stroke her hair and gently touching her cheek. 'I'm fine. Just a little pain," she whispered, barely audible, but he could hear her clearly. 'That's good," he said, his voice filled with relief. They locked eyes, their gaze lingering in a comfortable silence. 'You've been avoiding me. I'm sorry if my cowardice hurt you," he said, his voice sincere and pleading. Dorah's eyes never left his as she spoke. 'I never thought you'd hurt me by staying close. I just… I couldn't handle Madison's outbursts." 'I understand," he said softly, his heart heavy. 'I just want everything to go back to how it was before." She sighed and groaned as another wave of pain hit her. Ronald's face softened with sympathy. 'I'm sorry," he said, his voice full of regret. 'Should I rub your stomach for you?" Dorah's eyes widened, her expression surprised. She didn't answer right away, and for a moment, he wondered if he had overstepped. But when she didn't protest, he slowly slid his hand under her top and began rubbing her stomach soothingly. She froze at first contact, but soon, she relaxed into his touch, the tension in her body melting away. The warmth of his hand calmed her, and for a brief moment, everything else seemed to fade away.