Between Heaven And Hell

Chapter 7 - TW Self Harm

The sun was out, even tho the wind smelled of rain. Shar heard her cell phone ring, the soft chime traveled across the room. She walked over and picked it up, looking at the caller ID. A small picture of a tan cat accompanied Taylor's name. She smiled but didn't answer. Even through her pounding head the demon already knew what her friend wanted. It was always for a ride to school. Taylor was not a morning person and took a habit of sleeping in, then she would call Shar for a ride so she didn't miss her first class of the day. Shar didn't mind the small habit. Even if it was a bad one. Half the time it gave her a reason to get up in the morning. Taylor wasn't even out of her way as she headed towards the towering college.

Shar honked the car horn as she sat out at the curb. Taylor came bounding down her sidewalk looking like she had just was drug out of bed, and she probably had just clamored out. The Neko was running toward the car with her jacket only half on.

Shar smiled softly to herself thinking how fast Taylor could get ready, let alone do it in a moving car. "Hey, thanks for the ride. Why didn't you answer?" Taylor said as she shoved the last of her muffin into her mouth, getting into the car.

Shar shifted into drive and started toward school, her eyes focused on the road in front of her. Her hands tight around the steering wheel. "Because I knew what you wanted, if for some chance I was wrong, you would have left a message, correct?" Shar grinned and raised an eyebrow knowing she was right. Taylor always gave her hell about phone calls. Shar always thought it somewhat silly, and some days she swore she was going to toss the device in the river.

Taylor giggled as she looked starry-eyed at Shar. "Ya, so." She stuck her tongue out at Shar. "Oh, can you swing by Starbucks? Pretty please." Her hazel eyes glittered in the sunlight as she begged Shar for her addiction.

Shar glanced over and smiled. "Sure thing kitten." She said as she reached over and ruffled Taylor's already messy hair softly. She truly adored the girl, Taylor after all was the only thing Shar had left. She had stood by each other no matter what, and Shar could never thank her enough.

As Shar pulled her arm back Taylor grabbed it and noticed Shar winced. "Long sleeve?" Taylor shot her a questioning look as she started to unbutton the denim sleeve. Shar pulled back quickly before Taylor went too far. Taylor knew better than to fight and let go of her arm. "Hard night I take it?" Shar just nodded as she pulled into the drive-through. "I take that it was over Vivian again." Taylor said it as a statement more than a question and it was full of her own sadness. Taylor hated to see her best friend suffer. Her voice was meek as she took the coffee Shar handed her. Her eyes were on Shar, worry clear in them. Shar just lowered her head slightly, refusing to answer, knowing she would break if she did. "You know you could have called me. Did you take your meds this morning?"

Shar forced a smile to ease her friend's concern. "I know, but it just kind of happened. I was in the bath and just slipped I guess. All I knew was I got out. Next thing I know, I'm in bed, in the nightgown she gave me. I look myself over and there's this." She pulled up her sleeve to reveal a six-inch gash on her forearm right next to the vein. Taylor gasped slightly. "And yes I took my meds, I took them last night as well." She grumbled the last part with disdain. Shar wouldn't look at Taylor the rest of the ride to school. She pulled into her normal parking spot at the far end of the parking lot and looked at Taylor, "Please don't tell Esme." Shar said softly as she got out. Both girls were silent for a moment.

Taylor put her hand on Shar's shoulder softly. "I won't." Shar wrapped her wing protectively around the cat-girl and pulled her in for a hug.

Shar's eyes scanned the schoolyard. She elbowed Taylor. "Hey, there's Blaze. And it's Monday" Taylor looked and started to squirm. The change in the subject made them both feel a little lighter. "Oh just go say hi, you scaredy cat. He won't bite, and if he does I will bite him back." Shar smiled, showing off her fangs as Taylor gave her a look of disgust.