Broken: Emily's Story

25

I go back inside and try my hand at cooking breakfast. Eric has eggs in the fridge, which I pull out and start scrambling some. I put bread in his toaster. I almost burn the toast.

Just as I've finished up, Eric finds his way into the kitchen. He looks surprised when I hand him the food and a fork. I thought I'd try it. It's been a while, I say. He nods. I leave him to eat while I go into his room. I grab another set of clothes.

When I turn around, Eric is standing in the doorway, watching me. The plate is gone. Did he eat that quickly? I'm gonna take a shower, I say. He nods and enters the room. He sits at his desk and stares at his computer.

I leave the room and enter the bathroom. I turn on the water and begin to undress. I happen to catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. I look like a monster. How can I be beautiful when I look like this?

I take a quick shower. By the time I'm done, my whole body is burning. I try to ignore the pain as I get dressed. I leave the bathroom and go into Eric's room again.

Eric's laying his head against his arms on his desk. He doesn't even notice me come in. His computer screen is on, showing the picture again.

I put yesterday's clothes back in my bag. Eric looks up when I'm zipping up my bag. He looks upset. What's wrong? I ask. Justin, he says. Oh, I say. A thoughtful expression covers his face as he looks at me. Hang on a sec, he says, getting up. He leaves the room.

He comes back a little bit later. My sister left some of her clothes here when she moved, he says. He's holding some sort of cloth item. I take it and hold it out to see it.

It's a black dress with an open back. No, I say. Why not? He asks. I can't, I say. Why? He asks. You know why, I say. You won't leave the house, I promise, he says. I sigh. Fine, I'll do it, I say. I go back in the bathroom and change. The dress fits nicely. It would've looked nice on me too if I didn't look like a monster. I also couldn't stop thinking how I'd prevent him from seeing the rest of my scars.

I leave the bathroom and go to Eric's doorway. I hide behind the corner and look in. His back is turned to me so I sneak into his room. I sit on his bed and try to find a way to hide my scars on my legs. But before I can, Eric turns around. I wince, expecting him to be disgusted with me. He sees my legs briefly and seems to ignore it.

You look very nice, he says. I shake my head, though I'm smiling.

Don't argue with me. You're beautiful, he says. I sigh. Thank you, I say. We spent the rest of the day playing a fighting game on his T.V.