Page 53 of HER SISTER

I groaned, suddenly feeling a splitting pain cave in at the front of my head.

"Fuck," I said, pressing my hand to my head as my eyes suddenly opened.

And as soon as the bright light filtered in around me, I was groaning again—sitting up from the bed slightly as I rubbed my tired eyes.

I blinked a few times, taking in Mili's familiar room as I instinctively grabbed the water bottle and ibuprofen before practically guzzling the smooth liquid down and popping the pills back.

A deep breath fell from my lips as I sat the empty water bottle down—and I couldn't stop myself from looking over to the balcony door that was now opening.

Mili slid her phone into her pocket as she walked over to me with clear concern, "Hey, how do you feel?" she instinctively asked.

I shook my head as I closed my heavy eyes, "Not so good."

Mili hummed as she brushed my stray hairs out of my face, "I'm sorry I wasn't here when you first woke up—" she pressed a gentle kiss to my temple, "—the gallery owner called and I didn't want to disturb you," she said, and I couldn't help but shake my head as my aching eyes opened yet again.

"It's okay—you didn't have to be here," I assured her, knowing that it wasn't that big of a deal.

Mili only shook her head, "This is your first real hangover—of course, I had to be here," she determined, looking over to the nightstand before she said, "Good, you took the ibuprofen."

I nodded, "Yeah–"

But I quickly cut myself short with furrowed brows, feeling my mouth salivate and my stomach swirl with the most unbearable feeling.

Mili tilted her head, "What is it?"

I shook my head slightly, "I think—" I suddenly pressed my hand to my mouth before abruptly standing from the warm bed.

And before I could even blink I was in her bathroom, leaning over the toilet as I threw up anything occupying my stomach.

Mili gently rubbed my back, holding any stray pieces of my hair away from my face.

I felt my eyes burn with tears, hating the burning sensation coating my throat.

A broken whimper fell from my lips, "Mili," I breathed out before suddenly throwing up even more.

I don't know what I expected her to do, but I wanted something—anything, to make this go away.

"Let it run its course, and I'll get some medicine for you after," Mili softly said as she continued to rub my back.

I scrunched my burning eyes closed, following Mili's instructions as I managed to throw up even more.

I swear, I absolutely hate being sick.

Luckily, a couple of minutes later I was done—but that was mostly because there wasn't anything in my stomach anymore.

And I don't know if it's just me, but throwing up in the slightest bit makes me cry—it's like some sort of reflex for me.

"Hey-hey, it's okay," Mili's soft voice soothed me as I managed to full on cry on the cold bathroom floor.

"It hurts—everything hurts. I don't want to be sick again," I cried out, holding my aching head, but in reality, my entire body was aching, and it just wouldn't stop.

I'm never getting that drunk ever again.

Mili gently pulled me into her arms, "The ibuprofen will kick in soon—and I'll get you more medicine for the nausea. It's going to be okay," she assured me.

I let out a broken sigh, shaking my head to myself as I wiped my puffy eyes, and I knew only one thing would help me feel better right now.

"Can you lay with me please?" I suddenly whispered.

Mili didn't even hesitate to nod, "Of course, I'll lay with you baby," she said, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead.

And her statement alone was enough to help me feel a little bit better.

Soon Mili was guiding us both off the floor before I started brushing my teeth to get rid of the awful taste in my mouth.

While I managed to do that, she went to grab more water and medicine.

And I couldn't help but be thankful to have her here helping me through my real first hangover.

A sigh fell from my lips as I crawled back into the warm bed, and I surprisingly felt much better after getting sick.

I also think brushing my teeth and washing my face helped as well.

The mountain sunrise that seems to be glowing in through the glass balcony doors almost feels like some sort of reward for making it through one of the worst mornings ever.

But beautiful sunrise or not—I swear I'm about to go back to sleep and sleep in until at least twelve.

God only knows how bad Mya feels right now—she probably won't even be up until the late afternoon knowing her.

I instantly looked over to the door when Mili seemed to walk in with a tray in her hand.

My brows furrowed, noticing the medicine and water, but also some food.

"I'm so not hungry right now," I automatically said, knowing she was about to try and get me to eat something.

Mili sat the tray down on the bed, "You really need to put something on your stomach, Ati," she tried to convince me.

I only shook my head with a frown, "But what if I get sick again?" I asked, knowing I was paranoid that I would.

I never really ate after getting sick—my parents always would try, but I just couldn't.

And please don't get me started on stomach bugs.

Those things are absolutely awful and had me sick for three days straight.

Mili slid into the bed beside me, "The brAT diet will help. It's bland and easily digestive food for your stomach," she tried to explain.

I nodded hesitantly, realizing that Mili was the perfect person to have by your side when you're sick.

Or probably in any scenario—she seemed adaptable like that.

It was honestly a really admirable trait of hers.

I looked between the food, "Okay..." I trailed off, still clearly not on board, "Why is it called that?" I suddenly asked.

Mili hummed, "It's an abbreviation—banana, rice, apple sauce, toast. It stands for brat since it's easiest to remember," she explained as she went to open the banana, "I only brought up a banana and apple sauce and then later you can have rice and toast to help ease you back into regular foods."

I sighed slightly, knowing that eating this probably would help me—even if I didn't necessarily want to eat.

Mili suddenly grabbed the Pepto Bismol, which I didn't hesitate to take—easily drinking even more water before eating some of the food.

It was so odd...

No one's really taken care of me like this except for my parents.

Which somehow managed to draw me even closer to Mili.

"Feel better?" Mili questioned, analyzing my face as I drank more of the water.

I nodded as I swallowed the smooth liquid, "So much better," I said, knowing that my head and body weren't hurting anymore, and my nausea had faded.

However, I still felt really tired and heavy.

Mili smiled slightly when I pressed a soft fleeting kiss to her lips.

"Thank you for taking care of me," I said, feeling entirely grateful to have someone like her by my side.

Mili hummed as I pulled away slightly, "Anything to help you feel better," she said, setting the tray on the nightstand before grabbing the furry blanket.

I furrowed my brows, noticing the blanket was plugged in, "It's heated?" I questioned.

Mili draped the throw blanket over us as she adjusted the comforter underneath it, "Yeah, hopefully, this will help you sleep a little better," she determined as we got settled into the bed.

I smiled slightly as I wrapped my arms around her neck, "I really only need you, but thank you for your effort," I admitted honestly.

Mili hummed as she drew me in even closer, "I really only need you too," she murmured as she nuzzled her head into the crook of my neck.

A content sigh fell from my lips as our legs tangled together, "Now this is nice," I admitted, knowing that this definitely made up for the other half of my morning.

Mili hummed as she ran her hand up and down my back, "So nice," she said in agreement as we unconsciously fell into a deep sleep.