Contronym

Chapter 31

When monday rolled around, I had forced myself to have one solid meal a day. It wasn't helping my throat, per say, but it made me feel better mentally. It still hurt to eat soft foods but drinking was no longer a problem.

My vagina still hurt like a mother fucker and I felt like Finn was my nanny all weekend. I told him I could be left alone but he refused to believe that after friday nights incident at my home. Although, I did manage to force him to go home for two hours to gather his homework and clothes and all his other shit. I guess his father was never home enough to care where Finn was.

Seems we have that in common.

I felt kind of pathetic having Finn have to help me, but there was nothing I could do about it. In reality, he was more there just to keep me company. Of course I was still in some pain, but I could do everything I usually did on my own, just a little slower.

One thing Finn had been right about was the bruising. When I saw myself in the mirror the next day, I almost puked. No wonder that kiss didn't happen.

My face wasn't bad actually, I had a gash on my eyebrow and my lip with a slight bruise on my jaw. Luckily there were no black eyes. My neck is what scared the crap out of me. I looked like a dead body from the morge. It was bad. Deep purple and blue banded my neck with especially dark imprints where Ryan's thumbs had pressed down. This would last two weeks minimum.

By Monday, they had actually darkened. It was almost impossible to cover them with makeup. I had to actually wake up before school to do my face and neck instead of my usual ten minute approach. That usually involved throwing on clothes, brushing my hair and teeth and then walking out the door with a banana. I had no one to impress.

Except maybe Finn. But I still didn't know what I thought about my feelings for him. Was he incredibly good looking? Yes. Was he my best friend? Yes. If anything, in light of recent events I would say in the past few weeks he had surpassed Sam in the best friend zone. Did I want him romantically? I have no idea.

Either way, I spent way to much time trying to naturally conceal my bruises. Once they were mostly covered, I opted for a scarf because it was early December. Finn had slept over at my house again. I liked his company but I told him that tonight he was going home. I didn't need a babysitter.

Granted, I woke up screaming again on Sunday night, or should I say Monday morning. It was about 2am and I awoke again with Finn hovering above me. The only difference was that he wasn't gripping my arms like death. He must have expected it at this point and instead gently tried to shake me awake.

On Sunday they arrested the three boys after a push from my lawyer. I had to hire my dad's lawyer but he wouldn't know. I was 18 and a trust fund baby. There was no way he could know. Either way, Finn and I had to identify them separately in a lineup. Obviously, we were correct. Their bail hearings were this morning and I didn't want to see my lawyers text.

Instead, Finn drove me to school. Upon entering it seemed like the Principal and Coach were waiting for us because as soon as we stepped into the main entrance, the security guard approached the two of us and motioned to the office doorway where they both stood with crossed arms.

I side glanced at Finn who subconsciously shifted his hands to hide his busted knuckles. "We have no other choice." I muttered under my breath. Finn nodded slightly and we approached the office.

"Ms. Mason." The principal greeted. "Mr. Riley." He spoke while his eyes drifted to Finn's hands. "Coach Wilson and I need to have a word with you two. If you could come into my office." He gestured with a smile that didn't reach his face.

I walked past him and into his office with Finn behind me. When I heard the door close, I settled into my seat and dropped my backpack on the floor to my right. Principal Gaurino was sitting down and Coach was pulling up a chair when I spoke up.