How To Stay Afloat (BxB)

Chapter 61: lonely and bored

When my mom comes home from work she calls me downstairs.

I sigh and come down to sit down on the couch with her. I tell her all about what happened at school.

"I don't understand why Austin got suspended." My mom says.

"Mom, he hit Adam in the face. Of course he got suspended." I tell her.

"Because he was protecting you." She states.

"More like avenging me." I mumble.

"But Adam won't be a burden for a week and I'm sure the teachers will keep an eye on him from now on." She assures me.

"Yep. Great." I say, pressing my lips together.

She smiles softly at me. "Did Austin and you make up?" She wants to know.

I nod my head, wearing a smile. "Yeah. We settled everything." I tell her.

"I'm happy for you." She says. "Why don't you go take a shower and I help you take off the bandage and put on a new one afterwards. Then we can all eat lunch." She suggests.

"Yes, yes and no. I already ate something from burger king." I tell her with an innocent smile. "A friend brought me some."

She gives me a soft smile. "Okay honey. But maybe you still wanna sit with us." She suggests.

I nod and then go upstairs to take a shower and finally wash my dirty hair.

Like planned my mom helps take off the bandaid.

"Ouch. Ouch. Gentle!" I complain when she pulls it off. It's stuck to the skin and the pulling hurts like shit.

"Aw, I'm sorry honey." She says as she pulls it further while I grind my teeth and try not to push her hands away on instinct.

"Just pull it off in one go." Caleb suggests, sticking his head in through the bathroom door.

"Are you dumb?" I ask him angrily.

He scoffs and walks in. "Here, let me help." He says and gently pushes mom aside. "I know how to make it hurt less." He claims.

I know what comes now. He'll yank it off in one go and it will be extremely painful.

His hand is on the bandaid before I can react and in an instant he holds it in his hand.

I dig my fingers into my thighs and hiss when the pain rushes through me.

"Caleb!" Mom says, gasping. "Are you insane? The wound could rip open!"

He shrugs, looking at my forehead. "That's what stitches are for. Looks fine to me." He says.

I glare at him and he smirks.

"Get out of here." My mom tells him angrily and locks the door once he's out of the bathroom.

"Sorry sweety. Are you okay?" She asks me concerned.

It actually hurt less that way. Sure, it was very painful, but better than slowly pulling it off.

"Yeah. He just wanted to help." I say.

She shakes her head. "You're too forgiving sometimes."

Am I? I actually hold grudges against everyone for a really long time. But at the same time I kinda forgive some people easily.

I'm still a little mad at Austin while I act like yesterday never happened towards Adam.

When my wound is all wrapped up again I thank mom and go back to my room.