Burns

31.

I quietly made my way back to the house. I strolled into the living room and found the guys and the girls, excluding the hispanic girl and Brecley, and I wondered why, seated around the glass table that stood in the middle of the living room, close to the television, playing cards and drinking root-beer. They seemed to be having a good time, laughing and hollering at a move Cody was about to make.

I hesitantly dragged my eyes away from them and focused on climbing the staircase. A sudden rumble from my stomach at the whiff of a mouthwatering scent had me pausing. Was someone baking? I turned in an attempt to get a strained look towards the kitchen but it was hopeless, I couldn't see anything.

I sighed, having no idea how hungry I was till now. Not paying further attention to my growling stomach, I silently slipped up the stairs, not wanting to draw attention to myself. 

I stalked to my room feeling irritated. I needed a shower, my itching skin was becoming increasingly uncomfortable. I closed my door and wasted not a second in throwing my t-shirt over my head, folding it and placing it on the neatly arranged bed. I frowned, drawing to my full height to get a better look around. My room was left in a clean state and it was quite the contrary of how it was earlier today. Someone cleaned up my room and I had a nagging feeling that it was Brecley. 

I dragged a hand through my face, biting my lip slightly as I stared surprisingly at the neatness that stared back at me. A silent  groan escaped my lips as I looked away with a pained expression and a dry click of my tongue. I didn't want this, I didn't ask her for this. I stared at the ceiling, having my hands on my waist as I tilted my brow, pressing my teeth against my lower lip. This was getting harder than I had anticipated or expected.

I shook my head, tiredness washing through me. The more my body relaxed, the more the aches that never really vanished, resurfaced greatly. I gently rid myself of my pants and folded it neatly, placing it over the t-shirt on my bed. I ran a hand through my already messed up hair and willed my legs to the bathroom. Once inside, I leaned my back against the door, staring into nothingness. I turned my head to the sink and darted to it.

I started off by brushing my teeth then raised my head to look at the mirror… something I dreaded doing. The person staring right back at me looked almost hopeless, a sight that had me refraining just by a little from cringing. I looked pale with dark circles that coloured the outline of my eyes. I had a red spot, courtesy of the pimple that rested comfortably on my cheek. My hormones had a terrible habit of gifting me pimples every now and then, and I hated it.

My thick disoriented lashes framed my eyes as I blinked while turning my face to the sides to get a better look. I darted my tongue to moisten my lips as I squinted at my reflection. One thing I loved about myself was my lack of facial hair. I disliked them, along with the thought of always having to shave my face. 

I pushed myself off the sink and took a couple steps back to get a better look at myself. A few scars still existed but the ones from my fight with my ex-friend, Jason, was now completely healed. My fingers raised to lightly trail the scar I had against my left cheek. No matter how many times I had hoped it'd vanish, it never did. It was a painful reminder of the day I had lost my best friends completely and there was no coming back from it.

I got tired of staring at myself and threw myself into the shower. The second I turned the nub and cold droplets graced my skin, a shiver traveled through me. This was what I needed. I needed no more time dedicated to dreadful thoughts and complicated emotions. I really regretted not bringing my laptop along but that too was useless because I hadn't been very much coordinated to work. I was basically idle, without anything to do—another reason to why I agreed to come with Brec. I had no work waiting for me at home.