Age Is Just a Number

Chapter 23: Hidden secrets

"What did her doctor say?" Cindy quietly asked Chloe when the redhead returned. James was still on the floor next to Beca giving her a drink of water.

"She didn't pick up." Chloe slid her phone into her pocket and knelt down beside Beca. "You okay?" She asked the brunette, stroking her arm softly.

Beca nodded but her face said something totally different. The brunette began to push the sleeves of her hoodie up but pulled them back down just as quick. "Can we go back to the house?" She asked, trying to get herself back to her feet but Chloe didn't let her.

"Take these off first." Chloe lay Beca's foot in her lap as she began to untie the laces on the skate. "Mom can I get the car keys? You guys can stay, I'll take Beca home."

Cindy dropped the keys into her daughter's hand. "Feel better honey, I'll see you when we get back." She spoke softly to Beca and gave her a sympathetic smile.

"Just take it easy." James touched Beca on the shoulder before he gave Chloe a hand to help the brunette to her feet.

It felt like an out of body experience for Beca. She just felt strange. She stared at James's epilepsy band before her head started to pound. "Chloe can we go?" She mumbled and the redhead slid her hand into Beca's.

"Of course."

The car journey back home was uncharacteristically quiet between the couple.

"I'm just going up to the bathroom." Beca announced as soon as they entered the house.

"Uh call me if you need anything." Chloe said as she locked the door. The redhead felt sorry for Beca, the girl was starting to build her walls up and Chloe was worried that she was going to shut her out completely.

As the brunette disappeared upstairs, Chloe brought her phone back out and walked into the living room, dialling Dr Hadley again.

Once again there was no answer.

Chloe pulled her phone away from her ear and noticed she had a text. She furrowed her brow as she saw who it was from.

[From: Beca]

I've been lying to you...I'm so sorry.

[Sent at: 13:23]

The redhead instantly stood up and walked upstairs. "Beca?" She called as she entered their bedroom, noticing the bathroom door was closed. As she focused her hearing she could just make out crying coming from the bathroom. "Beca what's wrong?" Chloe walked up and placed her hand on the door.

"I-I'm s-so sorry." Beca sobbed and Chloe was totally confused.

"Babe, why are you sorry?" The redhead asked softly, slowly opening the door. She uncontrollably gasped at the sight before her, her phone dropped to the floor so her hand could cover her mouth.

"Chloe..." Beca sobbed weakly. She was stood over the now blood stained sink, her left hand trembling with a blade from a razor between her fingers whilst blood continued to drip from the cuts on her right arm.

"Beca...I-" Chloe was lost for words as she approached Beca, taking the blade out of the girl's hand and setting it down before turning the faucet on.

Beca winced as Chloe gently took her right arm and let the water run over it, washing away the blood.

"Beca why did you do this to yourself?" Chloe was hurt. Mostly because Beca turned to this instead of talking to her. The redhead dampened a washcloth before pressing it against Beca's forearm. "Hold that there." She took Beca's left hand and placed it on top of the washcloth. "Please talk to me, Beca." She pleaded and then her phone started to ring on the floor so she quickly picked it up. "It's Dr Hadley."