TWENTY TWO

"Oh my god! I thought I had it worst."

Looking over my shoulder, Thea stands behind me, picking up a glazed doughnut, bites off the plate, and takes it in her mouth in one bite.

"Oh my god!" She moans, licking her fingers. "These are amazing. You got to teach me the recipe. CJ, what's wrong?"

I sigh.

"Nothing," I shake my head as I stir a batter bowl. Hard and rough, like the ingredients aren't mixing.

"Um...you're going to break your arm if you keep doing that."

I ignore her and stir and stir until the bowl and cooking spoon slip out of my hands, spilling the batter all over the floor.

"CJ," Thea rush to my side, bringing a towel with her to help me clean, then wailed at me. "What's the matter with you? You've been spacing out and cooking like a madman these two weeks. We have to restock every day so that we won't go hungry. Don is worried about you. You won't look at and ignore him whenever you are alone. I have to apologize to him for you. Are you on your period? If you are, please