Right Through Me

You care?

                  It's been a week since I've been to work. I was too caught up in my guilt to actually face anyone. What was the point? They probably didn't want to see me anyway.

     I sigh and flop down on my bed. I stuff my face into my pillow and curl my legs. Why do things have to be like this?

      Auska won't be home until 8, so I have 10hours before he comes home. Might as well clean up before he decides to beat me again.

I get up and walk into the living room and start to pick up Auska's empty beer bottles.

~~~~~

              Done!

    I wipe my forehead and look around the house. I have been cleaning for almost 2 hours and the house looks shiny. Ugh, now I'm bored......time for lunch.

       Before I can walk into the kitchen, the doorbell rings. Hmm? Was someone coming over?

    I walk to the door and open it. As soon as I see who's on the other side of the door, my eyes widen.

     "What are you guys doing here?"

"We came to talk to you, Alex." Takano says. Onodera nods from beside him. I put in a straight face.

"I'm busy right now." I try to close the door on them, but Takano puts his hand on the door firmly. He pushes it open a little further and looks me in the eye.

     "Busy doing what?" I narrow my eyes.

     "None of your business."

     "Look, Alex. We need to talk."

    "No, we don't. Now could you please-"  As I'm about to slam the door shut, Onodera grabs my arm. I look up at him.

    "Please, Alex. We're worried about you." That gave me pause. My eyes widen slightly and I put my arm down.

     "Please don't shut us out. We know something is going on and we don't want you to get hurt."

      I stare at him for a few seconds, then turn my gaze towards Takano. He nods at me. I sigh and step aside, my head down.

    "Come in then." They walk past me and head towards the living room.

*small time skip*

     "So, why did you come here?" I ask as I sit down at the coffee table, across from them. I slide them a cup of coffee and look at them.

     "Exactly what we said earlier: we're worried about you." Takano picks up his cup and takes a sip. Onodera just looks at me.

     "What is going on, Alex?" Onodera asks. I take a sip of my coffee and avoid eye contact.

     "With what?"

      Takano sets down his coffee and crosses his arms.

    "Don't play dumb with us. You know exactly what we're talking about." I look at him.

     "And what would that be?" I take another sip, still watching him over the rim of my cup. His eyes narrow.

     "Alex, you know we're talking about those bruises. How did you get them?" His voice is calm, but there's a hint of impatience in it.