Bloody Paintbrush

Chapter 7

The next morning, Eri woke up feeling sore.

Gosh, it's been a while since I woke up feeling like this. Eri thought to herself while trying to sit up straight.

She rubbed her eyes then placed her hands in front of her and noticed her fingers were covered in dried up liquid then remembered about last night.

"Right, I had fun last night and didn't want the fun to stop." She mumbled laughing at herself.

Eri washed off and got herself ready for school. She grabbed her stuff and went downstairs. Eri brushed pasted Jennet and walked straight to the door.

"No breakfast this morning?" Jennet asked.

"No, thanks, I'll eat at school." Eri said bluntly. "Have a nice day!" Jennet said waving her hand. Eri stepped out and shut the door before she could hear Jennet say anything.

Eri walked to the bus station waiting patiently for the bus. The bus arrives and Eri steps inside. As she's riding to school she's deep in thought about last night.

"Hello? Ms.?" A voice in front of Eri said. "Oh! Yes?" Eri jumped. "This is your stop right?" The driver asked.

"Oh, yes it is." Eri said. "I'm sorry." Eri added. "It's fine. You have a good day, alright?" The driver said with a faded smile. "Alright. Thank you. You too." Eri said as she got off the bus.

Well that was embarrassing...! But at least he wasn't rude about it. Eri thought as she slapped the palm of her hand onto her forehead.

As she walked near the front of the building, she notices a beautiful woman talking to Silas.

Who the hell? Eri thought squinting her eyebrows together.

She took her time examining the girl. Woah, she's really pretty... Eri thought to herself sighing with disappointment.

Tallie greets Eri startling her once again. "Hey!" Tallie said touching her shoulder.

"Shit! Tallie, you have got to stop doing that!" Eri yelled.

"I'm sorry! It's just hilarious." Tallie giggled to herself. "Well, It's not hilarious to me." Eri stated.

She took a glance near where Silas and the girl were. Shit! I lost them! Eri thought.

"I've got to go to class. See ya." Eri said with an attitude.

"Aren't we going to walk together?" Tallie asked with a light smile. "Not today. I need to do something." Eri stated in a rushed tone speed walking inside the building.

Way to go, Tallie! Tallie thought to herself while lightly banging her head against the wall.

Eri ran trying to catch up with them. Once she did she hid behind a bush.

Gosh, what am I doing?! I look stupid. Eri thought to herself. I guess that night was a one time thing. Eri thought to herself with disappointment.

She stood up from her station and went to class before she did anything she'd regret.

"Good Morning, class. You know the drill now get to work." The teacher said.

"Hey... Eri?" Eri heard a voice in front of her. "Oh, Tallie, hey." Eri said.

"I'm sorry about scaring you. I won't do it again." Tallie said. "Oh, It's okay. I'm sorry about this morning. I was actually pissed and I took it out on you." Eri said. "So, we're good?" Tallie asked. "Of course." Eri replied.

Tallie went up to Eri giving her a hug. "Uh, Tallie? What are you doing?" Eri asked. "I'm hugging you." Tallie answered with a "duh" expression on her face.

"I'm not really a fan of hugs." Eri said pushing Tallie away. "Right. Right, I'm so sorry. I should've asked" Tallie said twirling her fingers.

"I'm gonna get back to work." Eri said. "Lunch later?" Tallie asked. "Okay." Eri said with a light smile.

Lunch time arrived and the girls made their way to the rooftop.

"Why do you like the rooftop so much?" Tallie asked. "Because looking up at the sky, clouds, and feeling the wind against my skin makes me feel relaxed. Also, that's where I get my inspiration for art!" Eri answered.

"Oh wow." Tallie said speechless. "I never knew you were so down to earth." She added. Eri let out a small giggle while looking down.

"It also makes me feel free in a way. Like I can rule anything." Eri stated.

Tallie stares at Eri examining her. Something about this girl. Tallie thought to herself with a light blush.

"So, what's your favorite color and why? You don't have to answer the "and why" part if you're not comfortable." Tallie asked. "Red because it symbolizes blood." Eri answered. "Oh." Tallie said with a frightened, yet intrigued expression on her face.

"Are you joking?" Tallie asked. "No." Eri said. "What are you a vampire?" Tallie asked laughing lightly. "Maybe." Eri said with a smirk. Giggling underneath her breath.

Eri spots Silas and his new friend a few miles away talking and giggling. Eri gets a disturbing flash back from her past and turns away with a slight hurt expression on her face. She picks up her food eating her feelings to distract herself from them and her thoughts along with her emotions.

Tallie noticed Eri was bothered and put her hand on Eri's shoulder with a worrisome look on her face trying to comfort Eri.

"Hey... If you don't mind me asking. Are you okay?" Tallie asked parting Eri's hair to her side. They make eye contact for a few minutes while Eri is trying to hold back tears and smiles for a split second feeling that same warmth once more.

"No. I don't like being touched." Eri said pushing Tallie's hand away. "I'm sorry." Tallie said.

Eri looked at Tallie with an annoying look in her eyes laughing.

"I'm sorry." Eri chuckled to herself. "What was that?" Tallie asked. "That's all you say. I've said multiple times I feel comfortable being touched yet you do so anyway and apologize expecting me to forgive you every time." Eri said practically yelling.

"I'm-" Tallie started when Eri interrupted her. "Sorry? Yeah." Eri said picking up her stuff and banged the rooftop doors open. She shows herself out and slammed the doors that it alarmed Silas and his new friend.

They both glance for a few seconds then go back to their business when Silas noticed Tallie all by herself and looked upset about something.

Eri runs to the restroom and noticed two girls standing outside the stalls staring at her.

"Whatcha looking at?" Eri barked. "Get out of here. I need this bathroom." Eri demanded. The girls looked at her like she was crazy and refused.

"Who do you think you are? Queen bee? No." A girl responded. "I'm sorry. Let me try this again. Get the hell out please." Eri said in a more aggressive tone. "No." The same girl said refusing with an attitude laughing at Eri.

"Loser." She said underneath her breath turning away giggling. Eri's eyes opened wide as she recalled a disturbing memory.

"How could I have gave birth to such a loser?!"

"Loser." Is what re played in her mind over and over again as she thought of what she wanted to do to those girls.

Eri went up to the girl grabbing her arm and twisting it. "I really didn't want it to come down to this, but I really need this bathroom and I would appreciate if you left." Eri said whispering in the girl's ear. She flipped her upside down leaving her helpless on the floor.

"Are you next?" Eri barked at the other girl raising an eyebrow while she's standing in fear.

"No!" She said hesitantly and ran out the restroom. The other girl got up off the floor and ran out as well. There was another girl in the stalls and after hearing everything she hurried on out scared for her life.

Eri takes deep breathes and locks herself in a stall dropping all her stuff on the floor while she sits on the toilet with her hands covering her eyes.

"Why did I have to unlock that stupid memory?! I thought I forgot all about them..." Eri whispered quietly to herself as she wiped her tears.