Mental (Sturniolo's best friend)

4

TW: scars/sh mentions, abuse, panic attacks, family issues

If any of these topics will trigger you please do not read.

Stay safe

Kiara sits down next to me. I can see how annoyed she is just by her expression. I can read her like a book. I catch myself staring for too long so I refocus and listen to our teacher.

Kiara has been itching her arm a lot. It's around every two minutes she's itching. I wonder if she had a mosquito bite maybe? I'll just ask if she's okay.

"Hey, are you okay? Did you get a bug bite because you haven't stopped itching your arm."

"Huh? Oh um yeah. Just a bug bite. Must have been when I was walking here."

Why did she seem so unsure. I figured if she got a bug bite and had been itching she would be sure it was a bite, she sounded like she was playing along. But what else would it be?

Kiara POV:

Was I itching that much? I didn't think I was at least. It just itches so much and it won't stop.

Matt is still staring at me, it's like he knows something is up. That's something I don't really enjoy about him. I can't hide anything, well except this. I've done a pretty decent job so far.

"Staring has never been an issue let's keep it that way."

That was so harsh. I feel bad. He hates me I know it.

"Sorry, I zoned out."

"It's fine, sorry that came out harsh."

He doesn't reply. Why the fuck do I always mess up everything! I'm a mess.

Matt's POV:

I hope she's okay. She's never this harsh unless she is in a bad mental place. Maybe she is just angry that I didn't drive her? No, she loves walks. She wouldn't be angry that I gave her a reason to do something she loves that she rarely ever does, right? I hope im not being dumb right now.

It's the end of the day and I think I'll drive Kiara home. She isn't annoying me anymore so it should be fine. "Hey Kiara, I'm driving you home." She has her headphones in she can't hear me.

I grab her wrist to gain her attention. "Ow" Kiara winces quietly. "Ow? Why did that hurt?" I ask. Why would it hurt, I just grabbed her wrist.

Oh.. I think I know.

Kiara's POV:

It stings. My arm is throbbing since Matt grabbed it, but that's not what I'm worried about. How do I respond to Matt's question.

"Nothing, just I scratched my arm because I fell on the way here. It's nothing I swear."

"Really?"

"Yes."

"Then show me."

"What?"

"Show me. The scratch."

Fuck. I can't do this.

"No, it's bandaged you won't see anything anyways."

Please just stop.

"Then show me the bandage."

"Why do you want to see so bad?!"

"I know. I know what you're doing."

I sit there in silence. How does he know.

"You think I'm stupid? All the itching and the wincing really made it clear. You're cutting yourself, aren't you? Why are you lying to me? Why? I thought you trusted me! I can help you! I just want to- to... to"