The Therapist Friend

Ray

Rayne's P.O.V

       Walking into my apartment I flip the lights. It's been so long I've been here for more than like five minutes. Taking off the shoe things the hospital gave me I flip them in the trash. Walking over to the leather sofa I push myself into the corner stretching my legs out. It's been a long day and I just want to sleep. Pulling my arms into my sleeves I wrap them around me eventually passing out.

       When I wake up it's to the sound of knocking. Uncurling I look at the clock above the stove seeing it's already past noon. Getting up I go and pull open the door. On the other side stands Olivia. As soon as she sees me her eyebrows crease in worry. "Sorry I completely forgot let me shower and get dressed and I'll come over when I'm ready." I don't give her time to answer gently closing the door.

       Leaning my back against it I feel like a dick. Not giving myself time to have a pity party I push myself up heading towards the bedroom. It's still clean from when I was last here. Going to the closet I pull out a pair of black skinny jeans and a black tank top with rings holding the fabric at the sternum and at my chest. I haven't got to dress like myself since I got with Sonya. She always told me my taste in clothes was too provocative.

       Carrying the clothes to the bathroom I strip and step into the tub. Washing my hair, I pull at the bandages hissing as I pull them away from my skin. Throwing it out of the shower I wash my body around the cuts. They have already started to scab over. The bandages are going to be visible with the shirt I picked but I don't honestly care. It happened and in all honestly, I think I was just waiting on it.

       Hopping out I towel off wrapping my hair up to help it dry a bit. Pulling on a pair of underwear I forego a bra. Wiggling into my pants I yank open the mirror grabbing my first aid kit. I have some larger bandages inside of it. Cleaning and applying it to my sternum I flatten it out with my fingers. Slipping my shirt on the bandage doesn't show as much as I had assumed just a small patch in the middle.

       Unwrapping my towel, I spray my hair with something curling product splitting it down the middle. Pulling it up into two incomplete ponytails on either side I twirl two pieces from the front around my fingers to frame my face. Unzipping the red bag on my counter I unstack my makeup. I'm finally free from Sonya even though it had to go too far for me to get here. I just want to be me again. Doing a full face I apply primer, foundation, concealer, bronzer, a smokey eye, eyeliner, mascara, blush, highlighter, and finally setting spray. I no longer look like Rayne I look like Ray.

       It's been over a decade since I've been Rayne truthfully. When I was raped the first time, I let Rayne die in order to protect her. I removed myself so far from that girl. Sonya forced me to be her again. She refused to call me Ray taking away my whole sense of self. I always had to dress professionally around her. Now staring in the mirror I'm Ray again. I've removed myself from that girl again. In reality, I don't know if Ray was protecting Rayne or the other way around.

       Leaving the bathroom, I slide on a pair of booties with a short heel. Opening my bedside table, I grab my extra set of car keys. I got them on the recommendation of my father and I'm really thankful I did. Throwing them in my mini-Nautica backpack I also toss my cigarettes and lighter into it. Now completely ready I shut off the lights as I go.

Olivia's P.O.V

       Sitting on the couch I watch Noah play with his dinosaurs. Lucy is in the kitchen making lunch for them. I was supposed to be gone earlier but I had obviously woken Ray up. Scrolling through emails about upcoming work things there's a knock on the door. Noah's head jerks in that direction. Standing up I ruffle his hair telling him it's not Aunt Mandy. He looks disappointed for a moment before continuing his game.