A Four Letter Word // Laurmani

XI (11)

Trigger Warning- Mentions and Discussions of Abuse

Time Lapse: 3 Days

"So you're coming to my game tonight, right?" Dinah asks. I nod my head.

"Of course. I wouldn't miss it D" Dinah's eyes shift to something behind me and I turn around to see what it is. Normani is in the front of the room talking to Ms. Kelly.

She's wearing a black hoodie with a pair of shades on. What's going on with her fashion today? She's supposed to be in her uniform.

She tells Ms. Kelly something making her nod her head and start to walk down the aisle towards us.

"Hey Mani" I say smiling.

"Hey ManzManz" Dinah jumps in. Mani mumbles out a small hey before walking straight pass us towards her seat. Dinah and I look at each other confused. The bell rings and I walk to my seat near Mani.

"You okay Mani?" No reply. She keeps her head down only making eye contact with her desk. I place my hand on her arm and she immediately flinches. What the hell?

"Please don't touch me" Her voice cracks. She sounds so broken and lifeless. I bring my hand back to my body and stare at her. Why is she acting like this?

"I'm sorry" Normani slightly shakes her head before placing her head on the desk. Ms. Kelly starts the lesson but my mind immediately wanders.

What the hell is going on with Normani? Why did she flinch at my touch? Did I do something wrong?

-

"Something is definitely wrong with her" Ally points out. Dinah and I both nod our heads. As if on cue, Mani takes her normal seat next to me. She doesn't have any food with her.

"You gonna eat anything Manz?" She shakes her head.

"Not hungry" Dinah, Ally, and I all look at each other.

"Come on Mani, you have to eat" Ally pushes. Normani shakes her head and Ally sighs leaning back a little.

"Can you please take the hoodie and glasses off? We're inside" Dinah jumps in. Normani immediately shakes her head.

"Mani just take the damn hoodie and glasses off!" She flinches a little at my tone. Shit. She slowly takes off her glasses but keeps her eyes on the table. She takes the hoodie off her head but keeps her head down still.

"Can you please look at us Manz?" Normani slowly lifts her head to look at us and when it's finally all the way up, gasps come out the three of our mouths.

She has a black eye and under her other eye her cheek is bruised to wear its black and purple. Her eyes is a little swollen but you can still see her the white in her eye and her pupil.

I bring my hand to caress her cheek but she immediately grabs it as soon as my hand makes eye contact with her skin. She has a tight grip around my wrist so I pull it back.

"What happened? Who did this to you?" Anger starts to fill out through my body.

"Nobody. I-I fell down the stairs. I promise"

"Mani please don't lie to us. We can help you" Ally grabs Normani's hand from across the table. Tears start to roll down Mani's cheeks.

"He said I couldn't say or it'd be worse next time" I could barely hear what she said.

"He? Who is he?" Thoughts immediately shoot through my head. "You're dad didn't do this, did he?" Normani quickly looks at me and shakes her head. She pulls her hands away from Ally.