The Girl Who Cried Save Me

Chapter 24

Friday.

One day left.

I was beyond nervous. Today Emily and her Mom were packing, so they could leave around noon in the morning.

"Jess, what's up? You look like you're being chased by the mafia", Emily said, leaving her suitcase and walking over to me.

Lie to her. She can't know.

"I don't want you to leave", I lied, looking at the floor.

Emily wrapped her arms around me in a comforting hug. I cherished it because I knew it was one of our last hugs.

"Schools almost over. I'm moving here when I graduate, don't worry", she said.

I nodded and feigned relief.

"I'll finish packing later. Let's go hang out with the guys?", she asked.

I nodded slowly and she pulled out her phone, sending someone a text.

"Alright. They'll be here in ten minutes. I'm gonna put my shoes on", she said.

I nodded and nervously fidgeted with my sleeves.

My mind was racing with thoughts and doubts.

What if Mike finds out?

What if Emily finds out?

What if it doesn't work?

I shook the thoughts out of my head as Emily grinned at me.

"Come on, let's wait outside", she said, pulling my hand gently.

I quietly followed her downstairs and out the door.

"Perfect timing", she grinned, seeing the van pull up.

"Hey ladies", Jaime beamed from the passenger seat.

"Hey", Emily smiled and he got out, wrapping his arms around her and giving her a kiss.

Mike also stepped out and pulled me into his arms.

I sighed in comfort and hugged him back.

I felt him place a kiss on my forehead before he pulled away.

"Hey", he said, lacing our fingers together.

"Hi", I offered him a half-hearted smile.

He didn't seem to notice the distress in my voice and grinned at me.

I followed him into the van and sat next to him.

"Why are you guys in water shorts?", Emily asked, raising an eyebrow at the guys.

I looked at Mikes outfit and noticed he was wearing black water shorts and a tank top.

"Well, since it's Emily's last full day in San Diego until she finishes school, we thought we could do something fun", Vic grinned.

It's also my last full day, I thought.

"Like what?", Emily asked, exited.

"Like going to the waterpark", Jaime grinned.

My grip on Mikes hand tightened and he looked at me worriedly.

"Are you okay?", he asked.

No, I thought, water parks mean wearing bathing suits. Wearing bathing suits means being exposed. Being exposed means people can see my hideous body.

"If you don't feel comfortable going, you and I can do something else", Mike offered.

I took in a deep breath.

Suck it up, Jess. It's your last full day here. At least let Emily have a fun day.

"No...I'll go", I said, giving in.

"You sure?", Mike asked.

"Yeah", I breathed, nodding.

"If you want to go at any time, tell me and we'll go", Mike said.

I gratefully pressed my lips against his and nodded as I pulled away.

"Thanks", I said.

"Anything for you".

*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*-*

  "One problem. We didn't bring our bathing suits", Emily pointed out as we paid and walked inside.

"There's shops here. I'll buy you guys one", Vic offered.

"No thanks. I brought money", Emily declined.

"Let's go get you guys one then", Vic said.

We all followed him towards a shop and I looked around nervously.

Shirtless guys and half naked women surrounded us.

Mike pulled me closer to him, which I was grateful for.

"We'll wait here", Mike said as we reached the shop.

Emily nodded and dragged me inside.

"Are you sure you're okay?", she asked, looking at me with concern.

Don't make her worry about you, stop being selfish!

"Yeah. I want to get over my anxiety", I lied.

She bought it and grinned.

"Alright! Let's buy a cute bathing suit", she beamed, dragging me over to a rack.

I took one look at the bikinis and frowned.

Alot of them were so revealing.

I remembered the scars on my body and my eyes widened.

"Em", I tugged nervously at her shirt.

"Yeah?", she asked, setting down a pink bikini.

"Uh...h-how do I hide my...uh", I motioned towards my arms.

She understood me and thought for a second before her face lit up.

"They sell makeup here! It's waterproof", she grinned, pointing to something behind me.

I followed her gaze and sure enough there was a shelf with all kinds of waterproof makeup.

She lead me towards it and scanned the shelf with the concealer.

"We need the palest one", she murmured to herself.

"I'm not that pale", I defended.

"Mhm", she grinned knowingly.

I shot her a small smile and she grinned, reaching for the whitest bottle.

She handed it to me and I read it.

099: Porcelain

I rolled my eyes but nodded at her in gratitude.

Then she lead me back to the bathing suits and rummaged through the racks.

"Eureka!", she announced, holding up a silky red bikini.

It wasn't too skimpy, like the rest of the two pieces and I already knew it'd look good against her tan complexion.

"Jess! You haven't even looked for one", she whined, looking at my hands that were empty, beside the makeup.

"I don't really like any", I shrugged.

She shoved her bikini in my hand and determinedly walked towards a rack.

I sighed and pulled out my phone, scrolling through Tumblr.

"Jess!", she grinned, coming up to me.

She held the bikini up to me in triumph and I eyed it.

"Are you sure I sho-", I began but she cut me off by shushing me and dragging me towards the cashier.

"Okay then", I sighed.