Perfect

Chapter 5

Cody held her arm gingerly, and looked her in the eye. Sydnee just looked away, trying her best not to come in contact with him.

How did I forget the makeup would wash off? she thought to herself, I'm so stupid.

"Sydnee?" Cody said quietly, "What happened? Who did this to you?"

Sydnee pursed her lips. Did she really want to reply? What if Cody told his mother? Or called the police? She didn't want that. Her own mother would hurt her.

"Cody, it's nothing," she whispered, "Please leave it, sleep."

"How do you expected me to sleep knowing someone somewhere hurt-" Cody began, but then it dawned on him.

"Cody?" Sydnee said after a few seconds. He'd stopped mid-sentence.

"Is that why you didn't want to go home?" he asked in a low voice, "I need the truth."

Sydnee just shook her head and turned around with her back facing Cody.

"Sydnee, turn around," he demanded, "Who did this to you?"

"Cody," Sydnee said, almost inaudibly, "Sleep.. we have school tomorrow."

"I don't fucking care, Syd," Cody replied, "Who did this to you? Your dad? Mom?"

"Just leave it," she said, "Please?"

"I need to know, Sydnee," he said, trying to grab her arm again. When she shuffled a bit again, more bruises flashed on her back.

"Sydnee, please, what's going on?" he asked, "Who did this? Tell me, please?"

He didn't know it, but Sydnee's face was trailed with tears. She wanted to tell him so badly. Why didn't she? What if he could help her?

"Cody," she got up now, "If I tell you, promise you won't freak out or tell your mom?"

"I promise," the words came out smoothly, though he was lying. He couldn't make real promises, no. What if this was serious? His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed Sydnee was taking off the shirt she wore, leaving her only in a bra. Then she stood up, exposing the top half of her body. He would have noticed her curves if it weren't for the bruises and scratches all over her body. He couldn't think of anything to say, so instead his mouth gaped opened.

"You don't have to say anything," Sydnee assured him, "But don't tell anyone."

"Who did this to you?" he whispered, shocked by her appearance. Sydnee burst out in tears, and fell onto the bed. Cody got off the bed and sat next to her. He let her cry until she was too tired. Eventually, she just took a few gulps of air.

"I'm sorry," she apologised quietly.

He thought to go after her, but knew it would make her even more upset. Things would definitely be more awkward in the morning.

Downstairs, Sydnee sat on the couch shirtless. She'd thought to go back and get the shirt from Cody's room, but didn't want to have to explain herself to him.

Then she asked herself what would happen in Cody's mother were to walk in, only to see her bruised with puffy eyes and a flushed face.

Slowly, Sydnee rose from the couch hugging herself, and took quiet steps to Cody's room. She saw him on the bed, the bottom half of his body under the blanket, with a leg sticking out. Half the bed was empty, so she laid down and fell asleep. She didn't care that she was half naked, she needed sleep.

***

"Goodmorning," a husky voice said. She didn't want to open her eyes, thinking it had all been a dream. She didn't want it to end.