Symmetrical Scars

9) Yellow

<Raina's POV>

I stayed on the couch in the same pale yellow sweater and jeans, having not moved in at least three hours.

It was midday, and Jace was asleep in his room, taking an all-day nap to build his strength and smash my fucking bones to dust.

My eyes were glued to the phone like a teenaged girl while she waited for the one she liked to text back-- which isn't all that far off.

It was bliss actually, to sit here quietly and unmoving, especially when every slight movement brought immense pain to my ribs. It'd be perfect if it wasn't for the emotional trauma and impending heart-crushing conversation.

This will be Kid's seventh day out of Death City, and my third day of sitting by the phone. I probably should've gone to school today, and I'm pretty sure I'm failing at this point, but Jace and I can handle any remedial lesson the academy gives us.

Nonetheless, it sucks to know I've failed at something, and also to know that I'll be dissected as soon as I walk back into Stein's classroom. Besides, I doubt a scalpel can be much worse than near constant beatings. Not to underestimate Stein or anything.

Still, its been a week without Kid and I'm a mess. I've been taking my medications, which have helped a lot, but I still miss him to no end.

Jace has been particularly on edge this week, but I'm not sure why. He's been hitting me more often, and when he does, it's bad. In past experiences, this means something is stressing him out. I can't imagine what, because in his eyes, my boyfriend is out of the picture and I'm still condemned to be his weapon.

Since I haven't left the house, I haven't bothered to put on makeup and cover all the bruises, and I've even got a nicely cut lip from falling on the ground yesterday.

Summarized, this week was shit and I look like shit.

I even feel like shit...

I sighed quietly and stood up with a wince, my ribs and hips emanating a sore feeling from just standing up straight.

Muttering curses too graphic to say again, I walked into the kitchen and poured myself a glass of water, grabbing my two prescriptions for today. An antidepressant, and something to treat my bipolar.

As I was just about to wash down the pills with water, the phone rang loudly in the silence, and I gasped, causing me to nearly choke on the pills. I coughed and darted for the phone, hoping that it didn't wake Jace up.

Every bone and muscle in my body ached as I ran into the living room and picked up the phone, nearly tripping over my own feet.

"H-hello?" I said into the speaker, praying it was Kid, since I didn't check the caller ID.

"Raina? Is that you?" I sighed at the sound of his voice, even through the phone it sent a calming feeling through me.

"Y-yeah, it's me."

"Why does your voice sound so weak?"

It was probably because Jace did something, so I tried to brush it off, "I've had a cold this past week, I'm pretty m-much better now but, my voice is still all messed up."

I could tell he didn't completely buy it, but he let it go by anyway. "So, er... How have you been?"

I heard shuffling from back in the bedroom and my heart stopped for a second. "I've been fine, but um... I really need to go!"

"Oh, why?"

I cursed under my breath as I heard Jace get out of bed down the hall, "I... Just remembered I have a doctor's appointment... in like half an hour!"