Daily Challenge

August 25th, 2024 - Secrets and Cover Ups

"How many skin will you show today?" He tugged my tank top strap a little harshly.

"All?" I said, tried to be as emotionless as possible.

"Why?" His frown looked more terrible as a reflection. "I don't like it when you dressed like a whore."

I let down my hands, leaving the unfinished braids that was unraveling. "Let me be." Maintaining strong gaze without showing my anger was not my forte. "Just let me be," I repeated with a lower volume and back to styling my hair.

"I don't.."

"Don't what? Don't like it? Don't want it? What else?" I tied the loose ends and checked the result. As I didn't hear anything from him, I turned to face him. "Tell me!"

"Li.."

"Oh, don't start calling my name if you cannot answer the questions." I swiped my hand on the vanity, taking my purse with too much force. "And, I'm doing this because I have too many secrets."

He putted his hands on his pockets, didn't move from his spot, but didn't advance at me either. He just stayed with fury on his face and tiles on his eyes. He was trying anything to contain his emotions.

I stepped closer to him. I bent my knee to level my sight to his, trying to read the real storm within. I saw so many winds that twirling and howling. And I saw a breeze of regret.

"You know what?" My voice made him looked at me. "Let me tell you this crazy theory I have." The tone was stable and almost cheerful. "Cope mechanisms, I call it. A thing I do to balance myself." It went deep as I uttered the next sentence. "When I cannot say anything about the true me and my life, I show the other part of me which is real." Whispers came next, "It's my body."

I retracted myself and stood a few feet from him. Smile adored my face as I putted on my mask. Lastly, I gave him a salute before pivoted and walked away.
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(⁠づ⁠｡⁠◕⁠‿⁠‿⁠◕⁠｡⁠)⁠づ