SKINTIGHT (Watty Awards 2024)

Chapter 11

I'm so sorry I've been MIA for the past few weeks! I've been moving house and it's been so chaotic, it feels like I haven't opened my laptop on months 💀

I hope you're all doing well and enjoying this story ❤️ We're about half-way now. 

Please, please, please share, comment and vote!! This book means a lot to me and I really hope you guys like it too ❤️❤️❤️

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Violet

My head rests against the wall, the coldness of the tiles welcome on my face. My eyes start to fall shut. It's too early to be out of bed. It should be impossible to fall asleep with a full bladder. That way we'd be forced to pee beforehand, and we can avoid situations like these. I just want to be asleep. The sooner I get this done, the sooner I can get back to bed.

I grab a handful of paper off the roll and wipe myself clean. My head drops down, my neck too weak to carry it. I move to pull my underwear back up, but my eyes land on the crotch. Red marks stain the fabric — a few droplets and a smear. Blood. They're bright red. Fresh. They're not dark enough to be period blood. It's another internal tear; my second one this year. I should've known this would happen. It hurt too much yesterday. Fuck this.

I kick the garment aside and head straight back to bed, grabbing a fresh pair of panties on my way. I don't slip them on until I'm under the covers. I can't be bothered with today. I don't have enough energy to stand. My knee still hurts and now I have a fucking cut on the inside of my vagina. Thanks, Jack. Motherfucker.

I return to my cocoon — wrapped in my nest of blankets and warmth. Some areas of my sheet are still wet with my sweat but it's not uncomfortable enough to make me move. I'm not getting up. I'm not doing it. I'm not getting out of this bed even if the house was on fire. I'm not doing it. And they can't force me, either.

I'm going back to sleep. I need more of it. Jack just gave me another ounce of weed — indica to help me rest. It should be on my nightstand, but it's nowhere to be found. I must have left it at the gym.

"Vi?" Dani's voice interrupts my peace. "Are you awake?"

I don't respond. I'm not in the mood to talk. She opens the door, the light from the hallway pouring into my nest.

"Vi, it's 8 o'clock. Isaiah's heading to training," she continues. "I'm gonna stay here with you, okay?"

"You can go to class," I tell her. I don't want her missing out because of me. "I'm fine."

"I'm staying with you " she repeats. "Do you want any breakfast?"

"I just wanna sleep."

"That's alright," she responds, but she doesn't leave. She lurks in the doorway for a little while longer before finally making her way over to me, the floorboards creaking with each step. A cool breeze hits my back as she lifts up the blanket and climbs into bed. She scoots my way until she's pressed up against my back, her arm loosely draped over my waist. She smells like sleep.

"What are you doing?" I ask her.

"Laying with you."

"Why?

"Because I love you."

"Dani..." I groan. "I told you I was fine."

"It doesn't feel fine."

Her voice is filled with worry, and I bet her face is, too. I shift aside, turning over to eye my cousin. She doesn't look happy. Her brows are furrowed, and her lips are pursed. Her black ringlets rest on her forehead. She looks just as tired as I am. She must have stayed up late with Isaiah, probably telling our parents exactly what happened. She glances over my face, scanning my expression for any hint of harm. I meant what I said, though. I really am fine.