Ok, so this story is based on an actual day that I experienced not to long ago, and hope to never experience again. Hope you like it. Let me know. Enjoy!!!

There are many women who would agree. The first day is always the worst. I know when it is coming my body never lets me forget. The acne the mood swings. The sudden need for chocolate. I don’t usually like chocolate. But one week out of every month I crave it. I need it and must have it. My mom used to say that it was almost like I was going through menopause. I would be tired , I’d get hot flashes, my cramps were unbearable, and I would vomit at least once. But in all my years of experience with this monthly plague, I never experienced every single symptom in a single day.
That day was the worst damn day of my life. I woke up a 2:25 in the morning to that gut wrenching pain in my lower abdomen. I threw off the blankets and made a dash for the bathroom. I barely made it to the toilet before I threw up the contents of my stomach. My cat lazily walked into the bathroom and meowed. Any other morning I would turn on the faucet for her so she could drink. I felt bad about it later, but at that moment I had no mercy. I screamed at her to shut up and threw her out of the bathroom, slamming the door behind her. I went over to the sink rinsed out my mouth and splashed some water on my face. I made the terrible mistake of looking at myself in the mirror. My acne had almost doubled, totaling about twelve red and painful bumps on my chin. My hair looked tangled ad greasy, my eyes swollen and red. Let’s not forget the huge bag underneath my red orbs. I couldn’t help it. I broke out in tears. I was surprised I didn’t break the mirror. I looked a mess. I went over and sat on the edge of the bath tub putting my head in my hands as my body shook with sobs an exhaustion. Later on I would look back on myself and laugh a how pitiful I looked but at that moment all hell had broken lose and my world was coming to an end. A little over dramatic, I know, but that’s how I felt. At least my bleeding hadn’t started yet. After a good half hour of crying, my head throbbed and my cramps were still gurgling my stomach. I needed pain killers, and fast. I reached for the medicine cabinet hoping to find something to put me out of my misery. Advil, Motrin, a gun maybe. The glass door squeaked as it opened, and I felt such relief when I saw the bottle of Ibuprofen and a bottle of Chaste berry sitting right next to each other. I thought I had run out of Chaste berry but I guess not, because there the bottle sat. I reached first for the pain killers, popped the top, and poured two brown pills into my palm. I paused a moment staring at the pills. “Maybe five,” I mumbled pouring out three more. It could be enough to knock me unconscious or maybe kill me. But neither result sounded that terrible. I put all five pills into my mouth and took a gulp of water. Next I reached for the Chaste berry. Oh my sweet hormone balancers would fix me right up. I picked up the bottle and to my horror I heard nothing. Not one single movement from a single gel capsuled pill. I opened the top and stared at the white void that was the empty Vitex bottle. Slowly I felt the cold ice of panic seep into my veins. Jesus, Marry, and Joseph what was I going to do. Without my wonder pills I was going to be a raving lunatic all week. I needed more. I quickly made my was over to my closet. It wasn’t until I was half dressed that I realized the time. It was only 3:30 in the morning. The herb store wouldn’t be open for another five and a half hours. My stomach gave another gut wrenching tug. What was I going to do? I didn’t know if I could survive another five hours of this. I slowly undressed and put my PJ’s back on. I tried to get some sleep. The pain killers had kicked in but I still felt……off. A nice lavender bath would be perfect. It took the water forever to reach the perfect temperature and I didn’t have nearly as much lavender bath salts as I would have liked but it would have to do. I had stripped down and was just about to ease my way into the tub when my stomach gave another malignant heave. I made for the toilet yet again. Just when I though I had nothing left to throw up, my stomach managed to surprise me with yet another vomit fest. When my stomach finally stopped convulsing I slowly got up and walked over to the tub. The water was now uncomfortably cold and I had used the last of my bat salts. I collapsed to floor in tears. Another fifteen minutes of crying and I decided to try again. I emptied the bath and refilled it. I turned to close the door and stubbed my foot on it’s corner. I yelped and sat down on the edge of the tub to examine the damage. A bruise was already starting to form, and I could feel more tears coming on. Slowly I slid into the hot water and rubbed my bruised nub. I felt all my muscles relax, including my stomach. The hot water worked wonders on my aching sides. Who knew that throwing up could actually be a work out. I closed my eyes and willed my mind to let go. It felt like I fell asleep for mere minutes before I woke up clammy and cold. I looked down and realized that I had fallen asleep in the middle of my bath. A quick look at the clock showed me that it was about 7:30. I had slept for another two and a half hours. I managed to claw my way out of the freezing water wrapping a towel around my shivering form. I made my way to the closet and examined it’s contents. Jeans were out of the question, anything that pressed in on my stomach would have to be left out for the next few days. Instead I reached for a simple green tank top and my lose fitting brown skirt. I through my hair up into a pony tail and tried in vein to cover up my acne. After all I didn’t want to scare people. I grabbed my tan sweater and threw it over my shoulders grabbing my car keys on the way to the door. It was still early so I decided to head out and get some coffee before making my way to the herb store. But of course my day couldn’t be made that easy. I was very low on gas and had to make a complete detour to the gas station. Thank goodness I had asked for the day off from work. I could simply not tolerate needy customers right now. I spent a small fortune on gas and then headed over to the coffee shop in town. I made my usual order, and of course they were out of my favorite pastry so I had to make do with a bagel. It was sill about a half hour before that herb store opened so I decided to sit in one of the coffee shops dirty arm chairs. I was enjoying my coffee and bagel when this stupid lady with business suite on and a cell phone in hand came tromping in. I don’t know if she wasn’t getting reception or she couldn’t hear but she was yelling into that little phone as if her life depended on it. I watched amazed as she rudely order her coffee and paid. She turned away from the counter and out of all the chairs in the shop she chose the one right next to me. She finally finished her conversation with the person on the other end, whom, I am sure after her screaming, was deaf. Before I had time to even give a sigh of relief her phone rang again and she picked it up.
“Talk!….. Yeah!……. I’m getting coffee!” I rolled my eyes and moaned. I guess that got her attention because she yelled at the person on the other line to hold on and covered the phone with her hand.
“Do you mind, I am I the middle of a phone call.” I just stared at her. She was the one screaming her brains out and she wanted me to be quiet. “I’m sorry what?” She frowned when I asked the question.
“Could you please keep it down,” she said a bit louder. I frowned and shook my head. “I still can’t hear you. See you were screaming into that phone so loud before I think you made even me deaf.” Now it was her turn to stare. I could a slight blush rise in her cheeks. I gave her a sweet smile and stood. “Oh and a little advice, either talk more quietly next time, or keep your big mouth shut.” With that I made for the door. As I walked out I happened to glance back. The two barista’s behind the counter were laughing and the lady was still sitting there, her face beat red. As soon as I sat down in my car I felt my lower stomach tighten. I knew that the pain killers must be wearing off. Quickly I shut the door. I needed to get to the herb store and back home before my cramps returned full force. I managed to find a parking space right up front. I jumped out of my car and ran for the door. As the door opened I was hit with that lovely sent of herbs and incense. Any other day it would be a comfort, but today I was on a mission, and I could stop for nothing. I made my way over to the herb capsules and scanned the shelf. They were all placed in alphabetical order. But Chaste berry was not in C. I frowned then checked in V. Sometimes it would be placed there because the front of the bottle also read Vitex which was the species name. Nothing. I looked around hoping to find the shop owner Maria. Instead there was a younger guy there looking at a magazine. He had dark auburn hair and bright green eyes. I bet he is great in bed. Where the hell did that come from. I needed to get home.
“Excuse me,” I called my voice a little tense. He looked up at me and smiled. He had a very nice smile. “’Ello.” He replied his deep voice slurred in a slight accent. “Do you happen to know if you have any Chaste berry in the back?” I asked trying to be as polite as possible. His brow furrowed as he thought. With my luck he knew absolutely nothing about herbs. “Um, no actually we won’t be getting another shipment of Vitex in until tomorrow.” At least he knew what he was doing. My eyes widened in horror. “Your kidding right?” I gave a small prayer that he was kidding. Slowly he shook his head.
“We can set aside a bottle for you if you’d like.” He was too chipper for comfort. I slowly approached the counter trying to stay calm.
“You don’t understand. I need it now.” He frowned. Wow, he smelt really good. What the hell is wrong with me. I am like a cat in heat.
“Are you okay miss,” he asked sounding truly concerned. I narrowed my eyes at him.
“Am I okay? Do I bloody look OK!!!!” He blinked slowly and walked around the counter. He was immensely tall. I stood at at least 5’8”. He must have been a good 6’5”. A near foot taller than I. He placed a hand on my shoulder and when I looked at it he quickly removed it. “Are you Lydia?” I looked up at him and he smiled. “Maria made sure to set aside a bottle for you.” Suddenly I felt like a complete ass. I nodded.
“Thank you.” I mumbled quietly. He rang me up and read the total. I began digging in my purse for some money.
“Not feeling well today,” he asked. I looked up at him.
“To put it mildly, no.” “Well I hope you don’t mind me saying this, I am usually pretty strait forward, and I think you are extremely cute.” Was he flirting? I quickly paid and made for the door.
“Hope to see you soon Lydia,” he called from the counter. I gave a small wave and left. I got home just in time. My bleeding had started as I pulled into the garage and I cursed out loud. I went inside and changed took my Vitex and laid down on the floor of my room. My cat came over and plopped down next to me. She was always forgiving. My mind kept drifting to that guy. He was flirting with me. I looked like death and he was flirting. I smiled. He probably knew that I was having a bad day and was just being nice. Or he really thought I was cute. Could it be that even in this state I could attract guys? No, of course not. Well maybe. I remember reading an article in a magazine about PMS. Women were often seen as extremely beautiful around heir monthly. It was very hard to believe when you felt like shit. But the article read that women’s beauty perked around that time. Something so beautiful and magical was happening inside them that no one could possibly see them as ugly. I thought for a second then sat up looking at my stomach. I am beautiful because of this. Every woman is beautiful because of it. It’s a mess. You feel sad and scared and small. But you are a marvel. Your perfection and absolutely beautiful. It’s hard but at the same time sweet, and it’s supposed to be like that. You give the gift of life and purity. I felt tears fill my eyes again. I was happy to have this, I was lucky to have this. And I loved that guy at the herb store. He saw me when I felt my worst and he saw me for what I really am. Beautiful.

Hope you liked it. There is a few phrases at the end that heard some where, so I used them. Anyway, tell me what you think. R&R!!!!