Some Thorns, Some Roses

XIII | A Large Snake Tattoo

That same weekend, I haven't left my room since the twins left. I haven't left to eat or speak to anyone. I just stayed in my bed all day long. I received phone calls that I immediately declined. I don't even think I was capable of moving.

 Perris came in at one point to check on me, but I was just laying, looking up at the ceiling when he entered. "Serena?" he called my name, but I didn't have the energy to maintain a conversation with him so I swiftly shut down a full rundown. 

"I'm fine, leave." was all I said, closing eyes and hoping that maybe he would just go away. I was never rude to Perris, not like that, so I didn't feel good about what I just did. However, I wasn't strong enough to engage in a conversation with him. My exhaustion outweighed my guilt so I dismissed it as something I would have to apologise for later. 

After while, I heard the door close and I felt immediate relief. I opened my eyes and no one was there, which was I wanted. I stared at the ceiling for maybe an hour longer before tears started to flow down my face. I didn't even realise I was sobbing until I felt the coldness of the teardrops that fell in my ears. 

"If you don't leave to eat, your brothers are going to get worried." Perris said and I sat up to see him sitting on my floor, which is why I thought he left. He was sitting in the room with me for an hour. 

I quickly wiped the tears off my face and said, "Yeah okay. You can go now." 

I wasn't fond of how hoarse my regular smooth voice sounded. I instantly grimaced and cleared my throat, a wet sniff resonated from my body and I could have disappeared in embarrassment. He was here the whole time.... 

Perris looked at me for a very long time. He seemed somewhat... emotional. I couldn't really tell because I had never seen him express anything other than amusement, hostility, indifference, or caution. 

"Do you remember my job? The tasks?" he asked with raised eyebrows. 

I rolled my eyes and looked to the side. "Yeah to protect me, you've said it a thousand times." I groaned, nodding my head. 

"Well it still doesn't seem to register in that thick head of yours." he pointed at the temple of his head, as he stared at me with as seriousness. "My job is to protect you, even if that's from your thoughts Serena." 

I looked back at him for a really long time. "Well I don't have any thoughts so you are okay to leave." I pointed my chin at the door, trying my best not to be a bigger bitch than I already was. 

"Stop bullshitting Serena. You sat there for an hour just looking at the ceiling, your room is a mess, and I can smell you from all the way over here." 

"It has just been a day! One day!" I argued with him, getting more and more upset by the minute. He doesn't have the right to tell me what to do! 

"Exactly, it has been one day. You haven't done anything and that's not like you." Perris said, standing to his feet. 

"You don't know me!" I shouted this time, standing to my feet. I was ready for this screaming match, I've had practice from Atticus. I can do this shit in my sleep. 

"But the thing is I do! All I do is watch you, every damn day!" he yelled, walking over to me, meeting me half way. 

We were standing right in front of each other, our noses nearly touching. I was looking up at him with fury and he matched my anger while looking at me with seriousness. "That doesn't mean you know me! That means that you think you know me!" 

"At this point Serena, I can finish your fucking sentences!" 

"Bullshit! You-" 

"Think you know me, but you don't...." he finished my sentence dryly with a deadpanned expression. I was silenced and I looked up at him in surprise.