Simple Love

15-Friendship is Blossoming Once Again

*Eli's Point Of View*

I sighed, tossing my bag in the small closet beside the bed. I looked over at Andrew, who was passed out, and sighed again. I grabbed my iPod and some clothes out of a bag, along with a razor to shave my face with, and went into the small bathroom.

I sat my clean clothes on the closed toilet seat, and began stripping off my clothes. I kept my boxers on and looked in the long wall mirror. Scars covered my entire body, and still I was unsatisfied.

I felt my eye twitch, and I sat down in the bathtub, slipping off my boxers along the way. I turned on the water, letting it's heat warm me, and bent over to get my friend out of my jeans pocket. I smiled a bit at the cold, shimmering metal in between my fingertips.

I turned off the water and began slicing open my thighs, a burning sensation filling my entire body. Crimson rivers flowed down my legs, and into the water, mixing together and making a reddish pink color. I shuddered a bit by accident, making the blade stab me in the stomach in return. I felt pain fill me, and I looked down, the blade inside of my flesh.

I felt myself beginning to panic, scared that something bad was going to happen if I didn't get it out from the skin, so, I began pulling. I felt the skin begin to tear a bit, but it didn't take too long for it to get out, for it was barely inside. Even though it wasn't very deep, blood oozed everywhere, making the entire tub full of water red. I bit my lip and stood up, unplugging the tub, and grabbing another darker colored towel from the little closet.

I began to dab at my stomach, the pain excruciating, and began to search in the hotel's mirror compartments in search of gauze. I decided to dry the rest of my body off, and put on some boxers and blue plaid pajama pants. I ran a hand through my damp, brown hair, and took the towel off of my stomach.

The bleeding stopped a bit, but it was still hurting like a bitch. I finally found a tiny first aid kit under the sink, and began to wrap my stomach in an Ace Bandage. I felt tears on my face, and I quickly wiped them away, casualties happen I reminded myself quietly, before grabbing my razor and beginning to shave my face.

I cleaned up my mess and walked out of the bathroom, topless. I threw my stuff in the closet and laid down, shivering at a random gust of cold air.

After a while, I couldn't take it, so, I put on an over shirt, and got up, walking out of the room, and began knocking on the one next door. Please, please, please answer.... I begged silently, feeling tears in my eyes and burning in my throat.

"Hello?" A tiny voice came from behind the door. The door opened wider, revealing a very tired looking Anika, wearing nothing but a little black nighty, and probably underwear. Her eyes got wide and her lip began to tremble. "What the fuck do you want, Eli?!" She rose her voice a bit, but nothing above a harsh whisper, as to not wake the man behind her.

"I just want to talk, Nik, please..." I lowered my voice. She shook her head a bit, and stepped in the hall way with me, grabbing the card to open the door, before closing it.

"The minutes, shoot" she said, sassily.

"I need some advice... please... uh..."

"With what, Martin? It's kinda late and I have oriental food that's screaming my name." I grimaced at her use of my real name, and then smirked at her remark.

"Okay. Don't freak out..." I began, slipping off my shirt. Her eyes got wide, and she took a step back, towards her door. "No, nothing like that.... please.... listen." I pleaded. I began to take off the bandage, it pulling at my skin, and making my heart race. "You deal with this stuff off too.... And I need advice." I finally got it all off, and her eyes got wide. She suddenly darted forward towards me, her hands and eyes roaming all over my lower abdomen.

"Jesus, Eli, what did you d-" she cut herself off, her eyes looking up at me, and filled with fire. "Tell me you're didn't.... tell me you don't... Martin Elijah Jones, tell me you fucking don't...." she rose her voice a bit. I felt the tears prick my eyes, and realization flashed across her face. "Take them off." She ordered, pointing at my pants. I smirked a bit, trying to lighten the mood, for you could cut the tension with a butter knife.

I did as she told and slid down my pajama bottoms. Her eyes got insanely wide and a hand shot to her mouth. "Sorry?" I whispered, pulling my pants back up.

"Eli" was all she said as she pulled me into an embrace, one that I've longed for, for so long. I took in her scent, and my heart began to race. "Eli, love, why?" I felt my heart skip a beat as she called me "love". I know that it doesn't mean that she loves me, she just says it, but I didn't seem to care.

"My past... ya know? With my parents separation and my dad beating and molesting me... then me doing that to you..... I.... it was too much to handle. Im not cutting for me, I've been cutting for you. You didn't deserve any of it.. I'm so sorry. I've been jaded my entire life. I thought that was right... And I know, it doesnt make it an excuse and it doesn't make what I've done to you right.... but.... I'm just so sorry, I fucking hate myself. You never deserved to be hurt, Nik, it's me who deserves the pain. You're a broken angel, and instead of trying to help glue you back together, I stomped on you more, shattering your glass. I am so so sorr--" she cut me off by slamming her lips to mine. I felt my world spinning and I pulled her closer to me.

Her body fit perfectly against mine, and she tangled her fingers in my hair. "Fucking Eli" she mumbled against my lips, before pulling away. I looked at her, wide eyed, and she shook her head. "Sorry... uh.... sorry." She mumbled. I shook my head and smiled.

"I'm sorry. "

"Can we be friends again?? I miss my bestie from high school" she smiled up at me. I nodded and pulled her into another hug. "Just no more kissing. I'm sorry about that, I'm a faithful girlfriend. Okay? I've got the love of my life back home, okay?" She asked. I nodded and let her go.

"Best friends, okay?" I said, and she nodded.

"Okay. Now come in here, I always carry around a case of crap with me in case I need stuff. So, come on." She ushered me into her hotel room, and into the bathroom. She started to clean my legs and stomach, making small talk along the way, and I finally realised how much I missed her, and not sexually.

We had been friends all through school, and we had always been there for each other, but, she met Andrew in middle school, and he took my place. We had still talked, but it wasn't the same as before, until now. I felt the bond forming again, and I never wanted to break it again.

She led me into my hotel room and waved goodnight, before disappearing back into her room. I laid down in my bed and fell asleep, happily, for once in so long.