I smile a big fake smile as I tell an old couple once again that we only have one set of two white deck chairs to go with an oval glass table. They'd come in multiple times asking if we got anymore in and I keep telling them we only have the one set. The crabby old woman huffed and left the store dragging her husband behind. I sit back behind the reception desk. My dad emerges from his office and kisses my forehead. "Hey." I say. I'm tired but I know he works harder. "Do you want me to pick you up some dinner before I head home?" I stand and grab my keys from the drawer as he nods and says okay. "I'll be back." I tell him as I lock the drawers on the desk and hand him the keys. I stack the papers neatly on the desk and give him a pat on the back.
I walk out the back of the store and find my car and once inside I fumble with my keys. I simply drive across the street to my dad's favorite sandwich shop and get us both subs. Even though I had to wait for ten minutes in the drive through I was glad to be sitting. I'd walked around the store over ten times today counting inventory and price checking, then directing people to what they were looking for considering it was mom and pop furniture store. I even helped rearrange some light weight chairs to make the place look less messy. It didn't sound like much but it was getting harder to walk around all the time in the hot June weather.
As I walked in the store my breathing got heavier, and I sighed because it was becoming more common everyday. I turned and knocked once on my dads office he said a quick come in and I opened the door. He held his hand over his phone and mouthed thank you and I nodded 'your welcome' as I set the bagged sub on his desk. I whispered 'See you later.' and he gave me a thumbs up. By the time I closed his door I ready to go home. I was very hungry and tired and all I wanted is a hot bath.
When I arrived at home I quickly noticed Nat's car and parked beside it. He was home early! I walked in the door and set my keys on the counter. I quickly unwrapped my sub and cut it in half.
"Babe," I yelled as I took a bite "have you eaten? I brought a sub to share." I grabbed a plate and fixed a glass of water before taking a seat on a bar stool.
"Hey," he hugged me from behind while I was eating. He then proceeded to attempt a kiss on my cheek.
"Ugh, not while I'm eating." I rolled my eyes and playfully pushed his face away. He grabs my hand.
"Just," he kisses my hand "one." and his stupid grin. I laugh.
"Eat your food." Nat continues and walks around to counter. He leans on the counter as he eats.
"And how was your day?" he asks. I sigh and set down my half eaten sandwich. I eat fast.
"Let's just say I started waddling."I say blankly, a smile threatening to show.
"You can be my little penguin now." Oh no, I think as he rushes around the counter to me and squeezes me tight. I lean back in his hold but the chair starts to tip. I grab the edge on the counter and turn around. I can see this playfulness in Nat's eyes and he absolutely adores me and I have no idea why. I look down, turn and hop off the stool. I give him a pat on the shoulder, I see his confused and sad expression and turn away. He always looks worried about me. I start toward my, no, our room and stop. I just wanted to be alone for a just a little while. He looks at me.
"You need anything?" he asks sweetly.
"Um," I pause. "I actually didn't get to go by the store today. . ." I point at the list on the fridge. "I just, I can't walk around the grocery store. I get tired after work and don't get the chance to go by there."
"I, can go." he shrugs "It's no problem." he takes the last bite of his sandwich and grabs his keys from the dish on the table by the hall.
"Thanks." I say as he grabs me for one last hug and kisses my forehead.
"I'll be back soon." I smile big as he leaves but as soon as the door closes I sigh. I make my way to the master bathroom.
After I've undressed, I reach for a towel hanging by the mirror and catch sight of myself. 'I'm fat.' I think. 'Why does Nat even like me? I'm fat and gross and he didn't cause all this trouble. I did. This is my problem to worry about, so why does he care about me? I set my towel on the back of the toilet and I tie my hair up. I step in the glass doors of the shower, the hot water steams the room when I turn the water on. I stand there letting the water pierce my skin with warm water. I realize I lean while standing now, it's strange and can't even remember when I could stand straight and not feel like I'm about to fall.
Showers are nice in someways but they make you think too much. I started thinking about how screwed up my life really is. Sure it's okay, I've learnt to deal with it but it's not normal. But that was an everyday thought. And then my brain stumbled down a dark path, again. What if Mark was here? What if he cared? Or what if I was married and this actually was normal? But now I won't get to travel the world like I wanted to. I have to take care of a little human, not just me. She won't have a real dad unless Mark decides he wants to be here. Her life is going to be broken and I didn't even feel the tears on my cheeks, or hear my sniffling until there was knocking on the door. I suddenly realized that the water ran cold and I was shivering.
I shut off the water, grabbed my towel and wrap it around myself. I look in the mirror and pat my face dry. Then another knock.
"Elle?" Are you okay? I heard in his voice. "Elle, unlock the door." he said calmly. I looked back up into the mirror. My eyes were red, I held on to the counter with a tight grip. I felt sick. I had just enough time to push the toilet seat up, so I didn't throw up on the floor.
"Elle! Are you okay? Ella!" I started to cry, I hated getting sick. I could her the panic in his voice but I couldn't respond. I felt too weak. I sat against the cabinet and flushed the toilet. "Noelle?" I hear. "Will you please open the door?" he was completely calm but worried. I leaned over and reached for the door knob. It turned and he opened it slowly. He got down on his knees and looked me in the eyes, then grabbed me tight. "You were acting really strange, I thought, I thought you had hurt yourself. Don't scare me like that." he pulled back. "You're really pale, you should lay down." he stood and helped me up. "Come on." He helped me to the bed and gave me a large t-shirt.
"Do you want anything? Water?" I nodded as I slipped the t-shirt on.
I couldn't even do anything because the stress of it all made me weak. I just sat in bed not even thinking or moving but just existing. I was just, there.
YOU ARE READING
Skinny Love
Teen Fiction'A teenage girl comes face to face with her past and must deal with its consequences.' Ella got pregnant at seventeen, by her best friend but he doesn't know about it. Instead of telling him she changed schools and took on a new life where no one kn...
