The Secrets We Keep (Formally WAIT)

Chapter 28

My legs feel trapped as I try to stretch them out. I open my eyes to find myself trapped in my comforter on the floor. I groan and sit up to untangle myself when my back erupts into flames.

F*ck. I slowly stand up and creep to the mirror in my room. I turn my back towards the mirror and notice my shirt is stained with dried blood. I carefully peel my shirt from my skin reopening the wounds to reveal several welts on my back.

I suck in a harsh breath as I lift the shirt over my head. I know I need to clean the wounds, but I don't have anything in my room. I realize that it's already daylight outside and I search for my phone. It turned out to be more difficult than I thought as my room was a complete disaster. I decide to do what I can without my back screaming at me to stop and put as many clothes as possible back into my dresser. I slide my mattress back into place and throw the sheets, comforter, and pillows on top knowing that putting a fitted sheet on my bed would be way too painful right now.

My room looks decently clean, at least I can see the floor now, so I plug my phone into the charger next to my bed and wait for it to turn on so I can see what time it is. To pass the time I pick out some clothes to wear and put my things back into my backpack. I finally hear my phone buzz alerting me that it's turned on and I curse seeing that it's already 9 am.

I grab some underwear, a bra, my pile of clothes and my towel and race into the bathroom turning on the water. I make sure the tap is set to a cool temperature and undress. As soon as I jump in and stand underneath the water, I immediately regret it and internally scream at Darren every single curse word I can think of.

So much for taking a quick shower. It took me several minutes just to be able to raise my arms and wash my hair let alone rinse it out as the soap seeped into my wounds causing me to almost yell aloud. I finally stepped out of the shower and patted my back dry with my already blood-stained shirt on the ground from last night.

I searched the cupboards for anything I could use to bandage my welts and found a little bit of gauze and some tape left over from after my surgery. It took a while to be able to put it on seeing as I couldn't exactly move my arms in the right angle behind my back to tape them. I finally got dressed and brushed my teeth.

In my room, I brushed out my hair and applied a little hair creme to calm the frizz. I threw on a sweater, well more like inch by inch slipped on, and was about to grab my backpack when I realized I wouldn't be able to put it on my back. I searched through my closet and found an old cross body bag that Avery was getting rid of a few years ago. This would be fine I guess, but I'd have to carry all my textbooks at school in my arm.

I unplugged my phone now at 74% and threw it in my bag. I rushed out the door not running into anyone, thank God, and carefully climbed into my car. I moved the seat back so it was reclined a bit more than usual so it wouldn't touch my back and I hunched forward a bit as I drove.

I made it to school with about 15 minutes to spare before 4th period and I wrote myself a note on binder paper fudging an excuse for my absence before climbing out of the car. I forged my mom's signature hoping they wouldn't call her. I made my way to the school office after I grabbed my textbooks I would need for class. The halls were still empty which made the journey short.

I pushed the door open and walked up to the front desk. It was empty. I looked around the office and all the other doors were closed. I tapped the bell on the counter and waited a few moments before I heard someone shuffling around the corner. Out of the mail room came none other than... Ryder.

Ugh, you have got to be kidding me. I rolled my eyes as he stepped behind the desk dropping a pile of envelopes on the counter.

I place the note on the counter in silence as watch as he picks it up and begins to read it.

"Doctor appointment eh?" He says raising his brows.

I nod and tap my foot, becoming impatient. He takes a seat in the rolling chair in front of the computer and slaps the space bar a few times. While the computer wakes up he spins around in the chair. Why is he acting like nothing happened the other day?

He logs into the computer, taking his sweet time as he types. My arms are beginning to hurt from holding my textbooks, so I place them on the counter. I catch him looking at me and our eyes lock. I thought he would look away like most people who get caught staring, but Ryder isn't like most people, and he continues to stare.

I break the awkward eye contact and he clears his throat turning his attention back to the computer. He grabs a pink pad of paper and jots down some information before tearing the slip off and handing it to me.

A take it from his hand and he hesitantly lets go.

"Thanks," I say sticking the slip inside the cover of one of my textbooks on the counter.

I place the textbooks in the crook of my arm and turn to leave.

"Wait," he says urgently.

I let out a sigh debating if I should turn around or just keep walking.

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