BRUISES

| Twenty-Eight |

July 2020

Darin poured me another glass of wine while I finished off giggling.

He chuckled, "You literally told me that."

The glass shook too much within my hold so he reached for it. I fell back on the couch and watched him place it on the coffee table. I ran my fingers through my newly dyed hair.

After the last time we saw each other, Darin asked to see me again. I was unsure but I wasn't able to deny the long, perfect smile on his lips. Taking an Uber to his apartment, I was going to drink and didn't know whether I'd be too intoxicated. Not after what happened.

He cooked dinner and it was delicious. I was surprised to find him cooking in the kitchen and listening to old jazz on the radio. I sat at the island, admiring the back of his muscles tense whenever he talked or moved.

Then we ate and talked about school and our lives. I told him I was still lost and confused on what I want to do. His roommate came home and greeted me hello before going into his bedroom. Showered, dressed and went out to the bars.

Darin was living the life anybody our age wanted. He figured out what he wanted to do and I admired him for that. I wondered what appeal did I have to him but tried my very best to ignore the negative thoughts.

"I don't remember telling you that I chocked a girl during my basketball game." I argued and he took a sip of his wine.

"You play dirty."

"So is that why you're afraid of a 1v1?" I questioned as I reached for my glass and drank mouthfuls.

"I'll crush you." He joked then reached out for my hair and touched it.

I glanced at his fingers and my smile dropped.

"You don't like my new hair?" I asked softly as my face grew hot.

He shrugged, "No, I'm just curious why you did it?"

    "I thought it was time for a change." I lied, aware of why I did it.

I didn't want to confront with my old self. The bangs weren't enough.

"Really compliments your pale skin." He replied and I snorted.

"Jeez, thanks." I rolled my eyes jokingly and played with the stem of the wine glass.

"You look beautiful." He added a second later. I glanced at him between the bangs and blinked away my glassy eyes.

With the softest smile, I whispered, "Thank you."

I was buzzed and my body was warm. His apartment was warm for a July night but I wasn't bothered. I still wore a light sweater that fell over my shoulder and an old pair of shorts.

"You were saying that you came back for a story?" He questioned and I took a sip of my wine.

"To write a story." I corrected with a nod of my head. Darin watched a home-run happen on the television then turned to me.

"Why here?"

"Inspiration I guess." I muttered, hard for me to think about it. "Or to just find myself."

"Yeah I mean at one point you were home at a close-by college and working at Danfords. The next, you packed up and left."

"I had to leave, Darin. For my own good." I told him, tasting bitterness on my tongue. He took it as though I didn't want to talk about it and licked his lips.

"Tell me about the story. Why are you writing it?"

I paused and sat still. Darin glanced nervously until I reached for my bag and pulled out my notebook.