Skinny • Book 1 In The Reality Series

Calum

My Dad's laptop perched in my lap, I was scowling down at my english essay trying to determine if the word then or than was more appropriate when I saw a ghost like figure pass by my bedroom door out of the corner of my eye.

Cocking my head to side, waiting for the creak of the bathroom door's hinges before breathing out a sigh of relief realizing it was just Bethany or Anna going to the bathroom.

Stifling a yawn, I glanced over at the digital clock on my beside table, my eyelids growing heavier realizing that it was well after one in the morning.

"Just finish the closing paragraph." I mumbled to myself, before launching into what I found to be a rather inspiring pep talk.

"You've got this Calum."

"You think so?"

"I know so."

"Oh my gosh, thank you so much."

"You are the epitome of essay excellence. JK Rowling wishes she could write an essay this amazing."

"Stop it."

"I'm serious. If you don't get an A on this, we'll march in there and give the speech."

"I've been waiting to give the speech."

"It's a good speech."

"I'm calling my lawyer."

"You should win an oscar."

"I really should.

"You've got this. Only two more sen...."

It was the startling clang of the shower curtain falling which captured my attention. Pulling me like a magnet from my perch on my bed, out of my room and down the hall to the bathroom.

Nervously checking over my shoulder to make sure it hadn't wouldn't Dad up, I raised a fist and tentatively knocked on the door.

"What?" Bethany's voice called out feebly.

"What are you doing?" I hissed, "Are you trying to get us both thrown out? If you wake up my Dad we're dead!"

I waited for a sarcastic remark about how my under eye bags made me look dead anyway. Or how I couldn't tell her what to do when I couldn't even my own cow lick, but there was no response.

"What are you doing in there?" I questioned, "Plucking your eyebrows?"

"No!" she whimpered, my brow furrowing as I realized that she was crying, "Please just leave me alone."

"Why are you crying?" I demanded, trying the door handle.

"Go away Calum."

"Open the door."

"Please, leave me alone."

"Let me in."

"No."

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing!"

"Calum what are you doing?"

My heart dropping I whirled around to find Anna stood behind me, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"Nothing." I lied.

"I know there's a girl in the bathroom Cal." she sighed, crossing her arms over her chest, "You never leave the toilet seat down."

"I don't know what you're talking about." I snapped.

A muffled sob slipped from the bathroom, and Anna cocked an eyebrow.

"It's not what you think." I said quickly.

"All I'm thinking about is how Dad you're going to be when Dad finds out." she replied, pulling a bobby pin out of her hair and handing it to me.

"Why would I want that?" I demanded.

Rolling her eyes, she snatched it from me, and elbowing me out of the way, slipped it into the small whole in the center of the bathroom door handle.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

"Making sure your mistress of the night isn't dying." she answered, before breathing out a satisfied sigh as the door unlocked with a click.

Stunned, I watched as smirking she replaced the bobby pin in her hair before pushing the door open and freezing dead in her tracks, a small gasp leaving her mouth.

Concerned and confused I leaned around her and my stomach dropped at the sight of Bethany sat on the blood covered bathroom floor. A bloody handprint decorated the otherwise spotless toiletbowl, and several scarlet footprints spitted the silver shower curtain which lay fallen on the floor beside her.

"I told you to leave me alone!" she hissed, picking up the roll of toilet paper she was trying to clean the crimson puddles on the floor up with, and chucking it at me.

Dodging it easily, I took in Bethany's over sized once white t-shirt which now resembled the Canadian flag.

"Get out!" she sobbed.

"Wh-what the...what happened?" Anna stuttered in shock.