The Boy With The Accent

[8] Bruised

Hey sorry for the late update.

Things were pretty wild last night.

(totally didn't get insanely into a book called London's Bad Boy By @wastedcuriosty and forgot to update.)

Love you guys!! <3

Alice

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I woke up to the sound of giggling. I cracked my eyes open for a second and saw my little sister, Kayla, slowly climbing on my bed. Giggling her way up towards my face, I knew what she was going to do and I hated it, but I couldn't bring myself to stop her.  Every morning it was the same thing. She'd wake me up with giggling, I'd wait for her to pounce, I'd pretend to be scared and start tickling her. And that's exactly what is going to happen when today.

I waited for 5 seconds, then I felt her jump up. I prepared myself for the landing.

"WAKE UP! WAKE UP! WAKE UP!! IT'S TIME FOR SCHOOL CAT! COME ON!!"

"AAAAAHHHH!!!"  I jump out from under her and pull her up. Her beautiful little kid laughs filled the apartment. "UH OH!! YOU WOKE UP THE TICKLE MONSTER!!!" She started screaming and trying to run from me, but I pulled her arm down and started tickling her. We were laughing and jumping around when my alarm went off. "Alright kid, I'm gonna go take a shower, make yourself some cereal, ok? Do NOT touch the stove." I said with narrowed eyes, trying to look more parent like, but she just waved me off, like usual.

"Yeah, yeah. Every morning you tell me this, kitty cat, but I'm a big kid." She replied with a cheeky grin.  Kayla was 8 now, but she looked more like a 5 year old.

"Yes, you are. But promise me, no stove. Promise me, I don't want you getting hurt, I can't have you hurt too." I looked to her with pleading eyes.

"Okay..." She whispered. I smiled at her and pushed her hair back.

"Thank you, kid. Now go on and have breakfast I'll be out in a sec, ok?" She nodded with a smile and ran to the the kitchen. I laughed at her eagerness at food.

    I walked into the bathroom and saw my bruises. "Shit!" I whispered.  My cheek was swollen and my lip was busted. I put a gauze around my bruised rib and applied make to all my bruises. My cheek wouldn't be fully concealed, but you wouldn't be able to tell it was bruised unless you were really close.

I looked at my neck and noticed the hickey Caleb left. My eyes bulged out of my head. "Holy shit!" It was darker than all the other bruises. How the fuck am I supposed to cover this!? I tried my best but it only faded a little. Oh well who's gonna give a shit.

I finished my morning routine and walked to the kitchen. Kayla sat at the counter, finishing her bowl of Froot Loops.  "Come on kid, don't want to be late." She hopped over and took her plate to the sink. We got in my car and head out to her school.

    She hopped out of the car and I hugged her."Bye Kayla! I'll pick you up after school, ok? Don't take the bus!" She nodded before yelling ok and running towards the school entrance. I held my smile until she walked in through the door and couldn't see the worried frown etched on my face. What am I gonna do about her future? I'm gonna have to take double shifts at Sully's and set up more fights...    

    "Hey, you okay?" I turned to the source and found Caleb standing next to me. The memories of last night came crashing at me and I blushed for a second before remembering that he likes Black Widow, not me, and that I hate him.  I put a scowl on my face as I looked at him.

    "Yeah I'm fine, what are you doing here? Stalking me again?" He snorted and nudged his head to the side, pointing to a little kid with the same features as him. "Oh, you have a brother? He looks like you..." I stopped myself when I realized I was talking to him. "See you at school." I turned to walk to my car.   

    "Hey wait hold up! What happened to your cheek?!" He yelled while cupping my face.  My eyes bulged out of my head. He noticed!?!

    "Um...nothing. My sister jumped on me this morning and the shelf on top of my bed fell and hit me in the face." He looked skeptical but accepted my lie.  Lying came easily to me. I had to, to survive. His hand brushed lower to my neck and his brow furrowed.   

    "Where did you get this one?" He said calmly but his eyes held a fire.  He was angry, just very, VERY well controlled. I realized he was talking about the hickey.   

    "I...er....well...um..." Shit, I'm stuttering. Wait I don't have to explain myself! He doesn't recognize it! It could have come from anyone! "That's none of your business." I said sharply, gripping my neck from his hands.    

    "Cat," He said with a warning tone, but it didn't scare me. I've seen worse. "Tell me who gave you this. Now." He had a threat hidden somewhere in there.   

    "Why?"

    "Why what?"

    "Why do you want to know who gave it to me? You aren't my boyfriend. Hell you aren't even my friend. So why the hell do you want to know who gave me the hickey?" He looked stunned for a second, thinking about what he would say. Opening and closing his mouth like a fish. "Exactly."

    I walked to my car and looked out the window as I drove away, he had his hands balled into fists as he watched me drive away, but his face gave nothing away. Blank, and expressionless eyes watched me leave Kayla's school.

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Please check out my other books.

Raven's Bow and The Night Thief are out and I'd love some more feedback!

Love you guys!

~Alice <3