Red Ribbons on Her Wrists

Salt in the wound

Smith: What? He was lying right, I mean oh my god. Ew.

Young: I honestly thought the same thing. I thought he was just trying to cast the blame else where. I left his dealership with a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach because I knew I was going to have to go home and ask Thalia. Ask Thalia if her brother had been doing unspeakable things to her. The walk home dragged, I think I was sluggish from lack of sleep, a hangover and the weight of what Kyle had just dumped on me, I didn't notice Mr. James outside the butcher shop sweeping the steps of leaves. Hello Landon he said happily. I greeted him back as best I could, with my new found knowledge beating against my head. He asked if I wanted to see his new car, it was a beautiful used Lexus, and I congratulated him on it. I noticed he had on a new gold watch and the store front had been replaced. I asked him about business, assuming it had picked up. Surely my meager rent wasn't enough to afford him all these luxuries, he shook his head but boomed proudly that any day now it would! I said goodbye a bit perplexed but I had much more pressing matters on my mind. Perfect timing was something I never aquired, I tended to say the wrong thing at the wrong time. Laughed when I should have cried, it was a trait I've never been proud of. That day I wasn't in the right frame of mind, I should have gone to bed but I didn't.

I found her waiting for me on the couch, she was as gorgeous as ever but now it physically hurt me to look at her. I remember taking in the sight of her and thinking maybe I should just let it be, like she wanted me to but I couldn't. I needed this now, I needed to solve this mystery no matter the cost.
L.Y. Did your brother molest you? The shock in her eyes ripped my heart out but I stared expectantly.
T.J. What makes you ask that? I realized she answered my question with one of her own and that she was fidgeting with the cuff of her shirt not meeting my eyes.
L.Y. Kyle said he saw your brother, that day, with his hands on your ass. I don't hold the man in high regard, but there was something about the look in his eyes when he said it that made me believe him. Answer the question Thalia.
T.J. What does it matter? She was on her feet and she was angry, visibly vibrating with rage.
L.Y. you know why it matters. I whispered weakly. Thalia you can trust me, I care about you so much. I put my hand on her shoulder and she relaxed beneath the weight of my it.
T.J. Yes. He did, and my parents knew they caught him but just hushed me and forbad him from continuing our "relationship". He didn't listen he was just more careful about being caught. The worst part of it all Landon was that my dad blamed me for tarnishing his golden boy. I became aware of many things at once, the feel of my carpet beneath my feet, the smell of the vanilla candle I burned constantly at her request, how heavy my hand felt on her and how the acid from my stomach seemed to rise up inside me burning everything in it's path. She chanced a look at me and it was almost like her face slowly started to melt into the most pitiful look of a despair. I never wanted to tell anyone about it, it makes me feel dirty. I remember him telling me I was tainted goods, that no one would want me anymore because I was ruined by him. That I was worthless except for the fact that I was beautiful. He hated when I started to date Kyle, he hated Kyle and made his life as miserable as he could at school. He told people I said he was small... Down there. The rumor spread and I'm sure you can imagine how Kyle reacted when he heard about it. I'm so worthless Landon.. She trailed off and tears stained her ghostly cheeks.
L.Y. You are not worthless. I said grabbing her chin and lifting her face so I could look into her beautiful hazel eyes. As I stared into them I could feel her hurt, it was like the cosmos was falling all around us as the sparkles left her eyes. You are talented, you are smart as hell, you are funnier then anyone I have ever met, and yes you are absolutely stunning. You're heart is one of the sweetest I have ever encountered and I consider myself blessed for just knowing you. I never incited a kiss, we had only had one, but in that moment I needed to put my lips to hers because they were designed to be together. The way her coldness enveloped my warmth made me shiver and caused her to sigh. I knew then more then ever my obsession had changed, I no longer needed to know for her or me. I needed to help heal her because I was curiously in love with her. A specter had burrowed herself deeply in my heart and I felt relief. I pulled myself from her lips and smiled against them. Thalia James, I know it's odd and I know it'll hardly be able to work. I know I'm stupid fool for it but I want you to know to me, you are anything but worthless, in fact in my humble eyes you are priceless. I love you, and I think destiny put me here to not only figure out what happened but to help you heal but because you are healing me from wounds I did not know existed.
T.J. Landon.... Oh you silly boy. She brought that light brown delicate hand up and rubbed it through my shaggy hair. I think I love you more. I kissed her harder pulling her celestial body against my earth bound own and it was a small slice of heaven.
L.Y. Do you think he could have done this to you? I caressed her cheek and played with a spiral of her hair. I hated dragging this up in this small moment of bliss. To shatter the fragile plain we as lovers existed on but I had to get to the bottom of this once and for all.
T.J. Maybe, he told me once if I ever thought I could belong to another he'd kill me. Because I was and always will be his.
L.Y. You belong to no one, however you do belong with me. We smiled at each other and retired to the sheets in my bedroom where we surrounded each other with love and hope. It was the last night I ever slept peacefully.