Black Iris

Another ploy

Rose

The next thing I remember is all a haze.

I found myself awake, cradled in Gwen's arms. She was fast asleep, passed out on the couch with me. The lights were all off, and the TV was dimly showing Netflix's 'Are you still watching?' page.

In the darkness, I pulled myself from Gwen's arms. I was still half asleep, but some part of my brain registered that I needed to go home. But, a bigger part of me just wanted to go back to sleep.

Gwen stirred, shifting slightly before returning to a peaceful slumber.

That was when her shirt rode up, and I saw the scars marking her stomach.

Scars almost identical to the ones on mine. Only, hers carved with the name of a different flower.

In my half-asleep haze, I wasn't even sure it was real. Or if it was just a dream.

Later, I wouldn't be able to tell.

But seeing her stomach, a wave of fear washed over me and I started crying again.

Gwen's face scrunched up and she reached out for me.

"Shh," she mumbled, taking hold of my arm and pulling me back into her arms. "You're okay. Sleep now."

As she stroked my hair, and I stopped crying. I felt the lull of sleep draw me back in and I let it take me.

The next time I woke up, I was alone. And it was daytime.

As I blinked the sleep from my eyes I struggled to remember where I was. Then Gwen stepped out of a nearby doorway and it all came flooding back.

I swore. "My parents are going to kill me."

I scrambled off the couch, searching for my phone. Gwen cleared her throat and I looked up. She held my phone out to me.

"Here," She said, softly. "I'm sorry I didn't wake you. I was planning on letting you sleep for a bit last night, because you looked tired, then waking you to take you home, but the next thing I knew I'd fallen asleep with you."

I shook my head. "I'll order an Uber now."

"Don't bother," She said with a small smile. "My own personal Uber is already on his way."

"What?"

She smiled. "Sampson. He's Blake's driver, but he really helped me out getting away from him. He'll be here soon and he can drop you home."

I nodded. "Okay."

We fell into an awkward silence for a second then Gwen pointed to the kitchen. "Would you like anything to eat?"

I shook my head. "I'll eat at home. I'm not too hungry."

It was a lie, but she didn't seem to notice. She looked down and we fell into another silence.

After a few moments, I spoke, choosing my words carefully.

"Hey... do you remember me crying last night?"

She raised an eyebrow. "You did a lot of crying last night."

I sighed. "No, I mean... do you remember waking up, in the middle of the night."

She blinked, then shook her head. "No? I don't think so. Why, do you remember something?"

I frowned, my head feeling foggy. "No, I think it must have just been a dream.