BRUISES

| Thirty-Two |

It's been three days since I've seen the girls. Since we all were sitting around the fire in Penny's backyard. Where I showed them the bruises that lingered my skin and have been healing. After seeing my dad, I needed time to myself.

    I didn't tell anybody about the situation but I briefly told Jules when she asked how I've been. It felt foreign to see a separate message from her checking up on me. I asked in return how she was and she wrote "confused". I wish I was able to tell more but there is nothing more I can say.

    All I knew is that she fell off Brennan's beautiful balcony of his huge home and had a serious injury. Like I said, I wasn't there but from the way Rubies was telling me the story—she was awfully terrified.

    I remember the day she called me. It was right when she left from visiting Jules in the hospital. She was in tears—hysterically crying after telling me that Penny didn't want to talk to her. Maybe something was going on that holds a grudge between Penny and Em.

    Something we all don't know but them.

    For those days I don't see anybody and lay in bed. I scroll through social media when I hate it the most. I speak to Francine and my mom but don't bother to tell her about dad. She'd be mad that I went to see him but don't bother visiting wherever exotic country she's in now.

    But when I lay in bed—the silence becomes loud. It becomes so loud that I have to play music to blur out my thoughts. I think of the girls and Ian and the party. I think of Penny and how she looked at Andrew and Brennan.

I cry when I stare at the bruises on my arms and when the hot shower leaves red marks on my back. I am emotionless when I stare at the blank screen on my laptop because I know I will never be able to write again.

                    ~*~

I find myself at the bookstore. As I prowl through the aisles, seeking for a new book to read. I run my fingers along the spine with a coffee in my hand. Some customers are sitting on the floor reading so I step over their legs.

There's a table with book recommendations and I find a stack of my copies resting with the other colorful covers. I place another book on top to avoid people finding mine. Whirling around, I gasp to find a body standing right behind me.

Her eyes are large and her lips are slightly parted. Pressed against her chest is a copy of my book. She hasn't moved but her face has washed with color. She's in more shock of finding me—the author of the book in her hands—standing right in front of her.

"Hi," She starts without blinking. "I—um... I read your book." I glance down at the copy than back up towards her owl like eyes. "No, no, this is a new copy. I lended my copy to a friend and you'd find it funny if I told you her dog ripped it apart."

I can't help but laugh as I say, "She should be buying you a copy."

"Oh, I know. I felt bad and told her I can buy one." She must be in high school. Old enough to drive here.

"Thank you," I begin, walking away but she reaches out and taps my shoulder. I pause and when I turn, her body stiffens again.

"I'm sorry to bother you." Her voice is gentle, like a song on a record player.

I look down at my watch. "No, it's okay." I force a smile and she gnaws at her lip.

"Your book helped me. I was in a dark time and it helped me seek help. I should be thanking you." I find bracelets half way up her forearms.

I swallow. Unfair that she can't see the marks I make. The ones that can easily go away without being caught.

"Would you like me to sign it?" I offer, finding myself searching for a marker in my bag.