#goodessence

She’d noticed Gigi had been physically avoiding her for the past two days, even though she was still as affectionate and loving as always in text messages, phone calls during their lunch break from work and even at home, minus their usual cuddling and spending every moment possible together somehow.

To make it worse, she also noticed Gigi had been sneezing quite a lot. Especially at night. She would even sneeze while asleep.

Jaida was paying close attention to her, but Gigi did not seem to have any other symptoms of the flu except the sneezing. It was possibly an allergic reaction, except she had no clue what could be causing it and all her girlfriend did was shrug and reply she had no idea when asked. She tried not to think too much of it because, besides those two factors, she was normal.

Except the third day arrived and, when Jaida tried to pull Gigi in for a hug and was met with the girl pulling back quickly and sneezing, she was officially a lot worried. 

Jaida sighed and mentally prepared herself for the questioning she would need to do, deciding to lead with the redhead’s health, her main concern, “Baby, are you okay? You’ve been sneezing every minute of the day.”

Gigi looked apologetic, her gaze dropping to the floor as she shook her head. “I don’t know… maybe there is too much pollen in the air?”

“It’s summer,” Jaida pointed out, not convinced. “You weren’t sneezing so much during spring last year, so I’m pretty sure it’s not that. I know you don’t want to worry me, baby, but I’m already worried and you should see a doctor if this doesn’t get better. Is that okay?”

She was using her ‘motherly’ tone, something Gigi always teased her for because it was both gentle and firm. Jaida only used it when she meant business, so the other girl likely knew she would not win this battle against going to the doctor. All she did was nod.

Okay, with that out of the way, she could test the waters on a much different topic.

Her girlfriend was someone who required some time to herself every now and then, especially when life got too overwhelming and she was not yet ready to let Jaida into her thoughts. Usually giving her space meant holding Gigi close and letting her think, Jaida’s arms around her offering the comfort she needed for her mind to wander whilst still knowing she would not go through anything alone. It was something Jaida understood, and if giving her space now translated into not touching Gigi until she was ready to be touched, she was fine with it.

Jaida smiled warmly at her, daring to move a step closer. “Is it okay if I hug you now, Geeg?”

“Uhm,” Gigi paused, smiling nervously for a second before she continued, “Can I tell you something first?”

The brunette tilted her head in response, curious, then nodded. Gigi smiled again, eyes closing for a second like she would do when she was embarrassed, an adorable sight, though when she spoke it was like word vomit.

“I think your new shampoo is making me sneeze, that’s why I’ve been running away from your touches but I still can’t sleep without you so I’m sneezing in my sleep, too, and it’s so hard because I miss you, I miss you.”

“What?” Jaida asked, unsure whether to laugh or run to the bathroom to wash the shampoo off her hair. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

Gigi pouted, “Because it smells good and you have a full bottle of it, I can’t be mean and tell you to throw it away! Also, your hair looks so pretty!”

Jaida bit back any reply she could come up with, instead allowing herself to laugh her worries away and erupting into a fit of giggles, one hand brought to cover her mouth as she laughed. Thankfully, her girlfriend joined her in the laughter, her cheeks almost as red as her hair.

“Genevieve..,” Jaida said in between laughs, struggling to get the words out. “You are truly the best thing in my life.”

Gigi smiled. “Is it okay if I sneeze one more time just so I can kiss you now?”

“Nope! I’m going to take a shower now and borrow your shampoo.”

“Oh… can I join?”