All About River

6

"Wow~" Thea mumbled to herself taking in the site before her. There was a gorgeous pan of perfectly cooked lasagna placed on the kitchen island. A plate of garlic bread, and a big bowl of caesar salad on either side. What really caught her eye was a small plate of freshly baked brownies. The aroma coming from everything. The presentation, really everything had blew her away.

"Ain't no way he done did this for just me." She grumbled brows knitting together. It was almost as if her brain couldn't accept it. But she had come to learn that her roommate was just really the sweetest thing around.

She passed the kitchen and entered her room. Which after some weeks had been decorated as much she brought herself to do. It wasn't much because she knew she hadn't planned to stay incredibly long. In her line of work moving around was a must; She had a large king size bed, made out of black oak. Paired with black sheets and a black comforter. She had a large grey bean bag chair in the farthest corner. And a very minimal black desk and white swivel chair.

There was a couple of her books spread around. Some clothing articles lying here and there. It might not appear like much to anyone's naked eye, but the room embodied her.

With a sigh Thea tossed her bag that she carried most days with her on the bed. She'd have to put that away later. It'd be best for no one to see the contents.

She slipped her shirt over her head, tossing it to the side. She couldn't help but peer down at the fresh bruises littering her torso. A dull ache in the muscles beneath the skin. It wasn't enough of an ache to be an unbearable pain though. It was withstand-able...they always were. And even when they weren't she had to live with it....she just had to, no if and's or buts about it.

She crossed the room, heading for the bathroom that she shared with River. She planned to change her clothes, possibly bandage herself up, apply antiseptics and whatever else that needed to be done before she would eat. As she walked she hummed a small tune to herself nodding her head softly; she reached for the pristine white door in front of her, pushing it open. The door flung with a thud,   

"Thea!"

The voice startled her, but the sight in front of her startled her even more. She peered ahead. Pale skin, littered with water droplets. So clean and unmarked, those words had rushed through her head. So quickly they might've been mistaken for the flash. But somehow time slowed as her eyes scanned his body. Although in reality it was just a quick second. His shriek had truly displaced the both of them.

River shuffled quickly to wrap a towel around his lower half.

"I-my bad..." She trailed off finally shifting her eyes. She turned to leave but a damp hand stopped her. "Thea..." River whispered his eyes dragging over her torso. The bruised and tattered skin only covered by a thin nike sports bra. He gasped as he dragged his eyes farther down, deep purple and black marks low on her v line. If it weren't for the large marks River would be utterly stuck on stupid at how gorgeous she actually is. Toned stomach. Toned muscles littering her arms. Abs, God--those abs really did it for him. He tried to shake that thought away, concern sinking into every crevice of his body, "T-Thea I...are you...?"

Thea wished and wished upon the stars for him to not see her like this. She prayed for this to never happen. For him to see her after one of her nightly escapades. This is specifically why she worked on the schedule she did. She didn't need or want a single person to start worrying, to gather any concerns. In her line of work, the less people who knew the better. The less people who could see her like this the better.

This is partially why she moved around so often. Not needing connections or relations with anyone. Not wanting to involve anyone, simply because its dangerous. What she does is dangerous. The people she work for are dangerous. And they give not a care in the world who or why one may know you. They're all simply collateral damage. 

"River, please don't ask. Please." She sighed softly, staring at the boy. As his eyes filled to the brim with tears the more he looked at her. "River..." Thea didn't know what to do, she never did in these situations. How do you explain this? What lie could she muster up now? Truth be told she didn't look like this all the time, most of her scars were unnoticeable. But tonight--tonight happened to be the roughest night she had ever encountered. She looked utterly beaten. And yea sometimes chicks digged the look but now staring down at this young boy in front of her, with tears spilling from his cerulean eyes. She had no idea what to do... "Thea do you need help? Please talk to me." He sounded like he was pleading. His small hand subconsciously trailing down the marks on her torso. "Please? Is some-is somebody hurting you?"

Thea breathed in sharply, letting out a long exhale. She wrapped her hand around Rivers' stopping him from caressing her bruises, but for some reason she couldn't bring herself to move his hand completely. "I'm alright River, I promise." She said ever so softly, her left hand swiping the tears away from his sad eyes. "I just, I got into a little scuffle tonight at the bar. Dickheads jumped me on my way out. I promise you ain gots to worry about me. Ok? I'm all good so stop cryin?"

"But--" He sniffled, staring up at her, "I'm good River, its done and over wit' I dunno who all it was but it's nothing that can be done now ight? And my fault for walkin' in on you. I thought you was just in your room or something. You accept my apology?"

"Thea! Please forget about me. Oh my gosh why? Why would they do this to you? Do people have no disregard for human life! We have to call the cops, Thea they-"

"No." She stated hardly, "No we don't. I'm ight, I told you." Thea tried to soften her expression when she noticed the little quiver in his bottom lip, "I mean ion even remember they faces all too well. Never even seen em befo' don't know a name or nothing. The police need a description don't they? I can't een remember so what good would they do for me? It's alright Riv, really. And Wow I didn't know you could be so feisty." She tried to lighten the conversation thinking on how he was clearly more angry than she was--which hers would be for a whole entire different reason. But still, this was interesting to see him riled.

"Well yea...be-because." He hiccuped, "because how fair is that?! They jump you and have no consequences. I mean for goodness sake and everything Holy, Thea you look beaten. Oh! Are you bleeding??" It was almost as if he had became hyperaware of the situation. He snatched his hand from Thea's grasp. Taking in every inch of her figure looking for a drop of blood. And thats when it dawned on him, her knuckles were almost as dark as the bruises on her body. Something wasn't making sense but he didn't want to further question it. He just desperately wanted to get this woman a Tylenol, and some Neosporin along with any bandages he could find.