Love Easy [HANAHAKI] [BXB] ✓

SEVEN

I wake up the next day by someone banging on a door and my name being called. I almost decide that it's my alarm but my alarm does not sound like that, so reluctantly I end up opening my eyes and trying to get my bearings.

I shoot up as soon as I realize that I am definitely not in my bed. The cool tile floor gets that point across pretty well. In fact, I'm not even in my room.

I don't have time to try and remember why I'd spent the night on my bathroom floor because I'm very easily reminded of what had woken me up.

There's even more knocking, and I hear a voice on the other side shout, "Laiken why won't you answer me? School is going to start in fifteen minutes!"

Oh, that's Tabby. Her voice has always been soothing, and I immediately relax.

My voice is raspy as I call back out, "Sorry! I... uh..." what was I going to say? I just decided that the floor is comfortable and the toilet is a great cuddle buddy?

I hear the lock twisting around, and only have enough time to remember exactly how great Tabby is at lock picking before the door is being opened pretty forcefully and I see the 5'7 girl in all her glory, complete with the gym shorts we were forced to wear until freshman year and a t-shirt from some brand I don't recognize.

"What are you doing?" She asks, staring at me in total confusion.

I can't answer, because as I look around it slowly begins to come back to me. How I'd gotten here, why I'd spent the night in my bathroom, the reason I have this sinking feeling in my chest.

Oh my god.

I realize that my hands are still wrapped around something in my hands. I really don't want to. I really don't want to see what's there. I don't want this to be real.

I uncurl them, and as I'd expected, a rose the color of the blood I'll be spitting out in a few weeks is awaiting. It's almost haunting, and I swear it feels as though it's looking right back at me.

Once I realize that Tabby is still in the room, I slam my hands closed over the damaged rose bud and my head immediately shoots up to find her staring at me expectantly.

"Laiken? What's going on?"

As quickly as I can, I shove it in my pocket and shoot up to a standing position. My mind immediately begins fishing through the many excuses I have saved for practically every situation in order to get her to stop looking at me like that-having a mom like mine, it comes pretty easily-meanwhile the only thing going through my head is that she can't know, holy shit, she can't know.

Nobody can. Especially... well, especially whoever caused this. I have absolutely no idea who it could be. Yet another reason I can't tell anyone, because anyone could be that person and there is no way I am risking it. Not even Tabby.

"Nothing! Uh, I just fell down... but I'm good! Let's go!"

Tabby raises a brow. Right.

"After I do all my hygiene stuff. Of course. Yeah."

There is absolutely no way that Tabby believes that, if the suspicious frown and piercing look is anything to go by. Hell, I wouldn't either. However, nevertheless, she nods and steps out.

I blink, and decide to ignore everything from the night before and the shame in my pocket in favor of washing my face.

After I finish all that I needed to do, Tabby grabs my hand and makes a beeline for my bedroom door. I barely keep up with her as she pulls me down the stairs. I have a momentary freak out as I look for my bag, but sigh in relief when I find she's carrying it.