The Switch (GirlxGirl)

Chapter 21: Marks of Sin

Song: Fire - Diskopunk

Only two weeks until graduation as today is the Monday after prom. This week, final prep and senior week. Next week, senior finals and then Saturday is graduation. If I'm being honest, I never thought I would make it this far in school. I never had much passion for learning but I guess I did okay to make it to this point.

I still don't know where I'm gonna go after I graduate. I've been accepted to my dream school in Toronto but I still have something-someone tying me here. Elizabeth has told me time and time again that I should go and we'll figure things out from there but I can't help thinking it wouldn't work out.

Neither of us are that skilled at communicating so if our only connection is through communication, I don't think it'd turn out so well. So I'm just putting it off for as long as I can. I know, I'm a genius.

Avalon and Kali have already decided where they're going and what they're majoring in. Kali in photography and fine arts somewhere in Amsterdam and Avalon at the local university studying psychology. I wish I could be as prepared as they are. I don't even know what I want to study yet. My whole future feels like a looming blank page and all I have to do is make the first mark but it's terrifying to think that a decision can change the rest of my life.

Ethan offered to drive me to school today and of course I accepted because, duh, gas money. His car is still filthy even though I'm sure I've asked him several times to clean it, at least before he drives me around in it. I can't even put my rucksack on the floor because there are food crumbs and dead bugs everywhere. I'm not joking, dead fucking bugs.

We finally arrive at the school and walk in together, of course people are looking at us. After the dance with Elizabeth, everyone realised it was because Ethan ditched me to go god knows where with that girl. I couldn't care less though. I got my prom wish and he got whatever I can't and won't give him. It's not healthy and I guess we should talk about it but for now we can pretend like nothing happened.

"Hey, kiss me goodbye baby." He takes my arm in his grip before we part ways to go to our first hours. I look at him and purse my lips, trying to bite back a comment.

"Like you kissed that girl at prom? No, Ethan." I say with quiet rage so no one can hear me. My eyes are cold and distant, I couldn't care less about his emotions. He mirrors my silent anger and tightens his grip on my arm.

"I don't know what you think you saw, Xena. We're going out tonight to talk more, I wouldn't want you to be late to your everyday dates with Ms Clarke." I close my mouth before I can defend myself. "Yeah I heard about your dance with her. I'll pick you up at seven." He says and lets go of my arm. He kisses the crown of my head and a couple people comment on how sweet he is with me. Oh, if only they knew.

I step into Elizabeth's room, trying to control the anger that is boiling in my veins. Immediately I already feel calmer as Elizabeth smiles at me kindly and stands from her desk. We greet each other with a hug and I sit on her desk as she goes to lock the classroom door. When she returns she takes my arms gently in her hands and frowns.

"Your arm is red, are you okay?" She asks, gently trailing her fingertips over the irritated skin on my forearm.

"I think Ethan is onto us. He knows about the dance at prom." I say quietly as if there are people around us who would hear.

"He did this to you? This morning?" She asks, I can hear the anger in her voice as well but she's trying to hide it from me.

"Don't worry, I didn't say anything but he's been watching how much time we spend together. He wants to go out tonight to talk about things." I tell her just so she's aware. Y'know, in case I don't show up to school tomorrow or something. At least one person will know who dunnit.