Taboo

14

I had yet to hear the door click shut when my mom's voice greeted me.

"Good morning, Davina."

It was still fairly dark, the clock had barely hit seven so it was understandable that I experienced a bit of a scare when I noticed the lonesome figure sitting in the kitchen - keeping in mind that there was no source of artificial light illuminating the room.

"Oh," I started, "Good morning, mom."

My mom sat at the kitchen island, leisurely stirring what I assumed was a hot liquid, judging from the faint trail of steam that surfaced before disappearing completely into the atmosphere.

"How was your night?" She inquired, still stirring, the 'clink-clink' of the metal spoon hitting against with the ceramic of the mug beginning to irritate me.

"It was. . . good, " I answered, slightly unsure of myself at that moment.

"Which friend was it that you stayed with again?" She finally looked up, locking her earthy brown eyes with mine.

"Valentina."

"Mmm." She silently brought the mug up to her lips and took a torturously slow sip.

She finally addressed me. "Go and rest," she said. "You look tired."

I let out a silent sigh of relief, grateful to finally be able to escape from my mother's scrutiny. I hadn't realised how tired I was until I was halfway up the stairs and inwardly screaming for my bed.

"Be careful, Davina." My mom let out a call of caution.

I froze and turned. "Mom, I -"

She immediately cut me off, "I trust you Davina. You're a very smart girl with a great future ahead of you so please don't get yourself into anything stupid."

"I won't." I answered after a moment of disconcerted silence.

"Good. You can go."

For the second time, I exhaled deeply and started to travel up the stairs again.

"And remember to cover up that thing on your neck before you come back down here."

I brought my hand up to lightly touch my neck, my eyebrows almost knotting in confusion before practically skyrocketing.

~

School was becoming a drag and it was always nice to get away from it all to work with Ethan on our project. But he today he was acting strange. More disconnected than usual.

I caught his face in my hands and briefly studied it.

"Are you high?" I asked in surprise.

I got my confirmation when his averted his gaze from mine.

I allowed my arms to drop. "I didn't know you smoked."

"I do when I'm stressed," he elaborated.

"Oh." I paused. "What's stressing you?" I asked hesitantly, praying that I didn't come off as intrusive.

The only response I got was an apprehensive glance so brief I almost didn't catch it.

What could be bothering him? It sure as hell couldn't be school; he's never there. I racked my brain but came back empty.