Fractured Echoes

chapter 10

" The Stall "

There we were, Charlotte and I, lying in her bed. Neither of us said a word. I could still feel the weight of her body pressed against mine, but at the same time, I couldn't feel anything. It was like my limbs didn't belong to me, like my body was floating somewhere far away. That kind of numb you get after...well, after what we'd just done. Rough wasn't even the word for it. My skin was still hot, my breathing ragged, and I could feel the slight burn where she'd gripped my wrists too hard. But I didn't mind. I liked it. I liked her.

Charlotte got up first, moving like nothing had just happened between us. She always did that—like it wasn't a big deal, just another morning. She didn't even look at me, just slipped out of bed, naked and perfect, her back to me as she went to get dressed. I followed her lead. We didn't talk about it. We never did.

I grabbed my school bag, fumbling around in the drawer for the pack of cigarettes I'd stashed away. I didn't really smoke all that much, but after mornings like this, it felt like the only thing that made sense. I shoved the pack into my bag and headed downstairs for breakfast.

Breakfast was always my favorite part of the day. Not because of the food, really—though buttered toast was basically heaven—but because of the routine. The calm before the storm that was school. The dining room was full of the usual suspects. The seniors. My group. Rachel was scrolling through her phone, not even pretending to pay attention to anyone else. Emily and Cara were chatting about whatever scandal they'd dug up on some poor unsuspecting junior. And then there was Charlotte, sitting there like she hadn't just had me pinned against her bed ten minutes ago.

I slid into my seat, taking a bite of toast, trying to focus on the familiar warmth of the butter melting in my mouth. It was comforting. Normal. But then I looked up and saw Violet. She was sitting with us, technically, but her mind was somewhere else—probably on Aiden Parker. God, Aiden Parker. Every junior girl practically worshipped him, and of course, Violet had him wrapped around her little finger. The two of them were that couple. The one everyone wanted to be, or at least to fuck.

Speak of the devil, there he was. Aiden, leaning casually against the doorway, waiting for Violet like he always did. He flashed his signature grin at Ma'am Lee, telling her he was there for Violet. I barely paid attention, until I saw Violet get up, giving Aiden that flirty look she always did. But before she walked out, she turned back and winked. At me.

What the hell? Was she blinking at me? A fucking wink? I tried to shrug it off, but it stuck with me. That moment. What was she playing at?

Charlotte nudged me under the table. "Ready?"

I nodded, grabbing my bag as we made our way to the bus. The ride to school was the same as always, but the silence between me and Charlotte felt heavier today. I kept thinking about that wink. Why did it bother me? I glanced at Charlotte, wondering if she noticed anything off, but she didn't say a word. Maybe I was overthinking it.

When we got to school, we headed straight to the bathroom, like we always did. The hallway was buzzing with that pre-class energy, everyone darting around trying to get their shit together before the bell rang. Charlotte and I slipped into the girls' bathroom, and she picked a stall, looking back at me with that mischievous smile that always got me.

"Come here," she whispered, pulling me into the stall with her. I couldn't help but laugh, the absurdity of it all hitting me for a second. But then we were kissing, and all the weirdness melted away. It was quiet, rushed, but it didn't matter. My hands tangled in her hair, hers pressing against my back, pulling me closer. I could feel her breath hot against my skin, her lips moving with mine.

Just as I was about to lose myself in it, a loud bang hit the door. I jumped, pulling away from Charlotte, both of us staring at each other, wide-eyed.

"Iris? You in there?" It was Violet.

What the fuck?

Charlotte whispered, "Who could that be?"

I swallowed hard, feeling my stomach twist. "I think it's Violet," I whispered back.

We both stayed quiet, not sure what to do next.