Sleep Paralysis - Josh Franchesci, You Me At Six AU (COMPLETED)

0.8

R O S E ' S  P O V

I woke up on my couch, my neck sore from whatever Josh gave me. I stood up, my legs wobbly, and walked into my bedroom. I grabbed my phone out of my bag before making my way towards my mirror. I inspected the large, purple bruises scattered along my throat, lightly touching the tender skin. I pulled up the Safari app, tapping on the search bar. I typed 'Bruises caused by sucking', anxiously waiting for the results to pop up.

A hickey, hickie or love bite in British English, is a bruise or bruise-like mark caused by the kissing or sucking of the skin, usually on the neck or arm. While biting might be part of giving a hickey, sucking is sufficient to burst small superficial blood vessels under the skin.

A hickey? I did more research, and unsurprisingly, it had sexual and romantic connections. I tossed my phone on my bed, sighing softly. I can't let Dan see it. I picked up my phone, searching on how to hide it. After many reading magazine articles and Wikihow pages, I decided my best bet was makeup.

I checked the time, noting I had about two hours before work. Breakfast, shower, and then I'll start on this hickey. Nodding in agreement to myself, I began to make my way to the kitchen. I poured myself a bowl of cereal, watching the news as I ate. Dean's body still hadn't been found, so the hunt was slowly building up to a nation wide one.

After breakfast, I jumped into the shower, hoping the warm water could somehow lighten the bruise. After drying myself and getting changed I began applying some makeup, trying to be as subtle as I could when it came to the throat. If I caked it on too much, Kelly would notice straight away. Pleased with myself, I put away the makeup and checked the time.

The bell rang, making me sigh I relief. Thank goodness. I'm not sure how longer I could stay in here. I walked to the door, opening it to see Dan in my doorway. Surprise flashed across his face as he took in my appearance.

"Rose... you look beautiful," he breathed, making me blush softly. Straightening my shoulders, I shrugged on my bag.

"Thank you. Ready to go?" I asked. He nodded, his gaze still locked on me. I followed him into the hall, locking the door behind me before walking down the staircase. I pray I don't sweat this makeup off.

"Thanks for the lift," I smiled as we pulled up outside the shop, turning towards Dan. He shrugged, looking at me.

"No problem," he replied. I leant over, kissing him on the cheek before saying goodbye. His cheeks turned bright red as I stepped out and walked into the store.

To my surprise, Kelly wasn't waiting for me at the counter like every morning. Confused, I made my way to the back whilst calling her name. I spotted her as I pushed the door open, typing away at her phone.

"So, I assume that you hit things off with Max?" I smirked, making her look up. Blush spread across her cheeks, assuming I was correct. There were only two things that made her type madly at her phone like that - gossip, or a boy she's infatuated with. Putting her phone back in locker, she crossed her arms.

"Full on makeup? Perhaps, you've dolled up for Mr Flint," she teased as I put my bag in my locker.

"Perhaps, indeed," I lied, going along with her fantasies as we made our way back into store. As Kelly flipped the sign over to 'we're open', I stood behind the counter, ready to serve customers.

We served a few different people - mums with daughters, husbands shopping for wives, so on so forth. We were having a moderate day, thankfully. It rolled around to lunch time quickly and Kelly and I's break. She stretched her arms as she came out of the back with her wallet and phone.

"So just a cap and cheese ham toastie?" She repeated, pushing her sunglasses over her eyes.

"Yep. You're the best, Kelly," I beamed as she walked out the door. Max came up next to her, hugging her tightly before walking with her. She'll be occupied for a while - better get the reports started.

I made my way to the back room, humming a small tune to myself. I opened the box, pulling out a fresh folder and small stack of papers. I placed them on a shelf before sliding the box back in place. A hand grabbed my shoulder, spinning me around before pinning me against the shelf.

'Hey, sweetheart,' Josh murmured, his lips formed into a smirk. His hand pushed away the hair, exposing my throat. 'Why did you cover my marks up? Oh, of course... can't let Dan know. That would break his heart,' he teased as he traced where the hickeys were, his cold touch making me shiver. Tears formed in my eyes as he leaned in, his breath hitting me softly.

'You know, I've recently realised something. You getting rid of him is going to be harder now that you've developed feelings for that scum,' Josh whispered into my ear as he slid his hand to my bum, grasping it tightly.

"Let go of me!" I angrily muttered, trying to pry his hands off me. He only chuckled at my pathetic attempts, keeping a stone hard grip on me.

'So I am giving you one last chance. Get rid of Dan within one week. If not, I will make your life a living hell and force you to watch him die,' he threatened, gripping tighter. He passionately kissed me before disappearing. I slid down, trembling and crying.

D A N ' S P O V

"Kelly!" I called out to the dirty-blonde haired girl a few meters away from me. She turned to me, a big smile on her face. A man accompanied her. He had brunette hair and a stubble on his face. He seemed familiar.

"Why hello, Mr Flint! How can I help?" she replied, carrying two cups of coffee in a holder in one hand and holding two wrapped items in her other.

"Can you give me some advice... please," I asked quietly as she stood in front of me. Her eyes brightened as the words escaped my lips, obviously excited. She handed the items to the man next to her, telling him something quietly. He nodded before walking away.

"Spill," she demanded as she pulled me down onto a bench.

"So, as you know, Rose and I have been friends for about seven years... and well, I've developed feelings for her... and I wanna ask her out," I mumbled sheepishly, blushing as the words fell out of my mouth. She squealed quietly, hugging me tightly.

"Please, please, please! For the love of God please do it! If you don't do it, I'll never forgive you," she said simply, seriousness in her voice. She stood up and I followed suit.

"Okay. Tomorrow." I confirmed. She hugged me once more before making her way towards the store, a little hop in her step. I smiled to myself, excited for whatever tomorrow held.