Bitter A Prequel: the Marjorie and Siobhan Backstory

Nightmares

Siobhan had been staying with them for four days now, and neither of them had had much sleep. Marjorie still didn't know the full story yet, and she wondered if she ever would. Siobhan was more guarded now. "We're not kids anymore, Jorie." She must have heard those words thirty times in the last four days.

Marjorie spent half her time worrying about Siobhan and the other half worrying about what Charles was up to. He had sent her mother away and allowed Shibby to stay as long as she liked, but none of that made any sense.He had warned Aileen off of her a few times over the years. She was sure he was behind the house at the park as well, but why? To what end?

That night as they got ready for bed she noticed Siobhan seemed even more anxious. She sat on the edge of the bed fidgeting with her hair trying to make it lay just perfect.

"Jorie, maybe I should sleep in a different room. I know my nightmares are keeping you awake at night. I don't want to be the reason you look so tired everyday." Siobhan hung her head. She needed Marjorie with her, but the guilt of keeping her awake every night was eating away at her.

"Shibby, I am staying right here and so are you. Don't be ridiculous. You belong here with me. I can help if you let me." Marjorie wondered if that last bit was too much, but then Siobhan grabbed her and held her in a tight embrace.

"I don't know what I would do without you, Marjorie. It was horrible. He ... father had me tied up in the basement. He said I was evil. My thoughts. He said my thoughts were evil. That ... that I was going to hell." Marjorie just sat there. She was stunned but she said nothing. She just held her friend while she sobbed. "He found my notebook. Marjorie I am so sorry." Marjorie was confused but still didn't say a word. "Marjorie, I .. he found a letter I wrote to Ella"

Ella was the only other friend either girl had. She was a kind and caring girl who wore her curly hair short and had only this year told them she liked girls. She liked girls.

"Oh, Shibby, you like her?"

The blond's eyes went wide. Marjorie hadn't moved away from her. She hadn't shouted at her. She hadn't told her to leave or forced her back to the abuse of her father. She simply held her.