Irish Oxytocin

A New Beginning | 7

                            ❁ Chapter 7 ❁

Cora's Point Of View

The shower was so incredibly hot. It burned my skin as I rested my forehead against the shower walls. My fingers trailed the cold tiles as I used my left leg to support my balance.
I watched as blood-stained water dripped down my body onto the white ceramic of Nolan's shower. What is going on with me?

I leaned off the shower and quickly cleaned some cuts I had the guts to look at. Nolan had put medical tape on my forehead where the stitches were placed, so they remained untouched.
I let some random man put stitches in my head. In my head.
How did he even know how to do that anyway?
The scorching water felt nice more than painful. I couldn't feel anything else as it hit and dipped down my body. I wanted to feel angry. To feel something.
I'm just about only disappointed. In myself.
I should've fought back harder. I should've stayed awake. How could I let him see me like this?
He took care of me; a stranger. Just a girl in his classes. He was some sort of angel; sent to me to give Daniel a break.

"Cora, I will burn this entire fucking world to the ground with everyone in it before I ever let anyone do this to you again."

How long had I been in here for?

I shut the shower off with very little strength, and held myself close.
My skin was still soft, but very tender. Especially around my ribs. There weren't as many cuts as I remembered there being.
As I opened the curtain, I noticed he left me his clothes to wear since mine were practically ruined. Luckily I had more uniform at home.
I didn't expect him to do that, since I got his sweater stolen within ten minutes of having it.

Even though we didn't exactly know each other, he was taking better care of me more than anyone else I know has. He didn't force me to talk, and I was really grateful. I was just slightly embarrassed that I've only known him for a couple days, and this happens.

I pulled his clothes on, and dried my hair with the towel he gave me. It was still damp, but I didn't want to be in here any longer. It was too humid.
I slowly opened the bathroom door, and his eyes immediately shot to mine.

"You look beautiful," he lied.

                                       ♥︎♥︎♥︎

We laid down in his bed for the whole day. Well, I did. I slept the majority of the day waiting for Daniel to come to get me.
Nolan was up and about, making me food and getting me water when I needed it. He was a really good cook. He fried up some bacon and make me a sandwich I wish I touched more.
I rested under his covers with a couple of ice packs as I recovered from the attack I endured. He had gently wiped witch hazel on the bruises, and iced all my swelling. I held the biggest ice pack under my arm for my ribs; which hurt the most.
All this drama revolving around him was insane. I knew I should stay away from him, and I knew I should just give up. I wasn't gaining anything from this.
More importantly, I shouldn't be here.
I didn't want to leave, though. And when I did try to stay away, he was always somehow there. I couldn't escape him.

I lied to him in the bathroom. I didn't want too, which is why I couldn't stop apologizing.
I definitely remembered who attacked me, and I was going to get her back for this. I just didn't want to tell him I knew.
I knew he'd ask me why, and I didn't want him to feel responsible for this. He already felt guilty about my argument with Daniel. Maybe he was partly to blame, but I didn't want him to beat himself up about this. I was setting myself up for this by feeding into this magnetic pull that surrounded him.
It was like a forbidden fruit. I wasn't allowed to have a taste, and it made me crave it more.
I craved Nolan.
The thought made me shudder.