Stepbrother (Sequel to Stockholm Syndrome)

41

The next day, I'd calmed myself down a good amount and I was just a little shaky. The biggest issue was the affect the PTSD had caused my anorexia case. When Luke mentioned having a small meal that day, midmorning, I was barely on the front porch fast enough to aim the bile coming up my throat towards the woods. The thought of food put my stomach in a turmoil and I couldn't imagine what would happen if I was to actually eat something.

Luke followed behind me slower than how quickly I had sped out the front door. He placed a hand on my back and his thumb turned soothing circles around a partial area of it to help calm me down.

I spluttered a little bit as my breathing got stuck and I pulled away a piece of my hair that had gotten caught in my mouth.

"Is there anymore?" Luke asked, voice soft. In response, my stomach heaved and I keeled over once more, whatever was left in my stomach coming out and spewing onto the rocks below. Luke gathered my hair in his hands and pulled it back with a hairband he had been keeping around his wrist for whenever I forgot one when we went out of the house. I coughed a couple times and then stood up straight again, attempting a deep breath. "Alright, are you ok with going back in and brushing your teeth?" Luke asked gently, no pressure in his voice; he had become an expert at walking me through the drama of throwing up. I nodded.

"I don't think there's anything left in my stomach to come up." I murmured. He nodded. I was glad Luke didn't feel the need to apologize. I didn't want him thinking this was his fault just because he had mentioned eating. My body dry heaved a couple times before I told myself to get control and stopped myself from feeling sick for a few moments out of anger at myself more than anything else.

I put the toothbrush and toothpaste away and came out of the bathroom. Luke was making himself a cup of tea and rubbing his forehead.

"You're beautiful, you know," Luke told me when he glanced up at me. He turned back to his tea. I still looked down and blushed even though I knew I looked like Hell had just thrown up on me.

"Thank you." I murmured sincerely, forcing myself not to contradict him, despite my self-consciousness. Luke nodded.

"Do you want any tea?" He asked, gesturing to his own cup.

"I'm ok, thank you." I decided. Luke rubbed his eyes.

"Sorry. That was pretty stupid to offer you tea right after what just happened, wasn't it." He apologized. I smiled.

"It's fine, Luke," I said quietly. Luke gave me a short hug before turning back to his tea. I grabbed a cup of water to give Luke some peace of mind.