Cough Syrup

Chapter 11: Oops.

I slid my body from the tub, reluctantly and dripping with what was once warmth. Wrapping a towel tight around my body, I tied my hair up in a wet bun. I had no time to care for it now. I opened the door, ready to make a run for my bedroom, and there in front of me was Zach. Sitting on the floor. Looking up at me in shock.

One of us let out an "Oops," before a sharp sound pierced my eardrums. Was that my scream? Yeah. That was definitely my scream.

Zach looked at me as horrified as I felt, his face instantly filling with color. I quickly grabbed the top of the towel ensuring it wouldn't fall down on me, and screeched, "What are you doing out here?"

He stuttered a few times before letting the words he was searching for. "I wanted to make sure I didn't offend you-but it looks like all I did was offend you more," He said, covering his eyes with his hands. "I'm not looking, I swear!"

I couldn't help but think that was kind of cute. He looked like a child down there, covering his eyes, blushing.

Than it occurred to me I was still in a towel.

"Very cute Prince Charming, but I'm going to my bedroom and I swear to god if you look when I walk away I'm going to cut your balls off." I heard a mph of affirmation from him and closed my bedroom door behind me. I let the towel drop as I walked back to yet another mirror. I wandered, why did I cover this house in so many mirrors? It's not like I'm conceited or anything. I let my eyes trail down my neck, and follow the rest of my body. I was so skinny, and short. You could see the outline of every rib.

Just kill yourself. I heard the taunt of my high school years come back to me. I wandered why I hadn't yet, or more why I didn't want to now. I told myself internally not to be stupid, that it was just because I didn't want to leave Zach like that. But sometimes I wandered if it was something deeper than that, or even if it was a personal reason. Though I had to admit, it sounded extremely stupid to have the kind or resolve to kill yourself one second and the next to live just because one boy kissed you. I didn't think that's how it worked. Maybe I never completely wanted to do it in the first place.

Maybe I wouldn't know until I try. And if I go through with it than I obviously wanted to.

The thought only had enough time to flash through my mind for a millisecond before there was a loud knock on my door. "Don't come in, I'm naked!" Was the first thing I blurted out.

Great, give him ideas why don't you.

"Uhh ok. Wasn't planning on coming in. Just.. You were quiet for a long time and I wanted to make sure you were... Okay."

"You mean you wanted to make sure I wasn't killing myself while you couldn't see me?" I laughed coldly. My question was met with silence. On the other side I had no doubt Zach was frowning. "I kid. Look, I'm fine," I say. "Just let me get dressed. I'll be right out."

I heard his feet leave my door, and I walked over to my dresser. Maybe I would kill myself later, but right now I should focus more on being less nude.

I rustled through the drawers, eventually finding a black pair of volleyball shorts and a black shirt that said "Creepin' It Real" across the chest in while letters. I had seen Avril Lavigne wear it once.

After I slipped on some socks, I decided my hair didn't need any work, and that makeup was for pussies. So I left my room and slumped into the couch.

Zach was in the kitchen, rummaging my fridge. "Find anything good?" I asked. When he heard my voice, he flinched and spun around.

"I didn't hear you come in," he muttered.

"I didn't hear you say you needed to." My eyes followed him. "Still on edge?"

He nodded.

"What's the matter? Never seen a girl in a towel before?" I teased.

Zach rolled his eyes, still blushing lightly, and sat next to me on the couch with a tub of ice cream. "Girls like ice cream. Right?" He looked up at me with wide, eager eyes.

"Right," I laughed. He grinned widely when I opened my mouth making a sound to incline I wanted a spoonful. He scooped up a large pile onto the spoon, and pushed it into my mouth. I smiled as I sucked on the frozen cream, the minty flavoring seeping into my taste buds and the chocolate chips melting with my body heat.

"You know," I mumbled with my mouth half full, "I wouldn't mind suffering out the rest of my life if you would feed me ice cream every day like this." I giggled.

His eyes glinted and his smile widened. "Deal."

I rolled my eyes.