Don't fall

Chpt 25 : Family Dinner

I wake up the next morning with a puffy face. I was crying all night, so it's no surprise that I've turned into a marshmallow. My head presses deeper into my pillow, reality just seems a little too much for today. But a steady thumping in my hip assures me that I need to check the damage.

I sit up slowly, exhaustion shining through me. My feet carry me into my bathroom where I start a warm bubble bath smelling of peppermint. I peel off my dress, which is sweaty from the night. My mind wanders to the events of the night and my cheeks blush profusely. I played with Henry. Oh god.

The rest of the night was basic, we played hide and seek awhile and then made junk food and put on a movie. Everyone left one by one, until it was just Xander and I. He tried to talk to me but I was too tired and ushered him out.

My eyes glance over the bruise that runs across my hip. Probably fractured my illium.. I ignore it. I slip into the bath, letting all my worries soak away. I imagine all these bad vibes seeping out of my pores and into the water where they evaporate and are carried elsewhere.

I sigh deeply. I can do this. I can.. I can.. I can't. My eyes tear up, falling as soon as they reach the surface. Sobs wrack and shake my body as I curl into myself. My heart aches. I feel done. I don't know how much longer I can do this. I'm exhausted.

I force myself out of my bath after half an hour of crying. I change into some sweat pants and a black tank top with a floral cardigan. I make sure to cover my face, which is slightly bruised again. Because why wouldn't it be? I swear she hits my face on purpose, just to make me nervous and hide.

I hear a ping and glance down at my phone. Incoming call from Brianne. I sigh, putting on a fake attitude.

Brianne: hey girl! Can you hang?
Me: yeah! What do you wanna do?
Brianne: I didn't think that far. Wanna go eat?
Me: sure! Just us?
Brianne: I was thinking of inviting some of the boys, that cool?
Me: absolutely! I'll be over at your house in a few.
Brianne: sweet! See you then! Love ya!
Me: love you!

I hang up and roll my eyes. Here we go again. But maybe this is exactly what I needed. I need to forget somehow.

I head out into my room, texting my dad that I'm going out with friends, then I grab my purse and practically run out to my car. Mom's home, but she's probably hungover in her room. Still, I don't risk running into her. No more.

I drive over to Brianne's in record time and knock on the door. Of course it's Liam that answers. I smile awkwardly, "oh hey, how'd that thing go last night?" I ask him with a smirk. He shrugs, "it didn't". I nod awkwardly, walking inside and up to Brianne's. "Sorry to hear that" I call back. I hear him sigh. I'm so awkward, jeez.

I feel his hand grab my wrist and he pulls me back. "Who hurt you this time and where" he says bluntly. I blink a few times. "'Scuse me?" I question him, my cheeks hot. Fuck. He knows. His hand is against the small of my back pressing me against him. "If you won't tell me I'll figure it out myself" he says annoyed. I nod, "I don't know what you're talking about" I say and try and pull away, but his grip is strong. "Fine" he says slightly annoyed, he reaches down and tugs my shirt up a little, already able to see my bruised hip. I shove away angrily. "What do you think you're?—" I begin to yell but he places a hand over my mouth.

"June. I get that you don't want everyone to find out about whatever the hell is going on with you.. but I have a degree in medical. Let me help." He says in a deep voice, his lips brushing my ear. It fills me with goosebumps. I'm only able to nod.

Liam continues to check on my hip, a steady frown on his lips. I shake my head, hoping he won't tell me what he's learnt. He gives a soft 'tsk' and leans down to check my ankle. It's slightly better but really, not.

He nods and then let's me back away. "Brianne is up in her room" he tells me softly. His eyes brush over my face in such a way that I blush. What am I supposed to think here? I run away. RETREAT.

"Brianne?" I call. She answers in seconds, running out. "Hey girl!" She greets. I can't help but smile. "Let's go!" She takes my hand and drags me out the door. Liam's eyes follow, he looks like he wants to join, a longing look filling his eyes. But Brianne drags me out too fast for me to offer. Oh well.

We get to that one burger place and I laugh. Pretty good memories. The last time we were here, Brianne laughed so hard Dr Pepper came out of her nose. It was hilarious, but she was highly embarrassed.

"Ladies" Nathan greets when he sees us. A smile firm on his face. His eyes are puffy again. "Princess!" Xander yells and pounces on me. I almost yelp as he squeezes me, it hurt my hip. I catch a glimpse of frustration in his eyes. He leans close and whispers in my ear, "you shouldn't be up, you should be resting" he says but I shrug him off with a glare. I'm fine. Fuck off.

We all head in, grabbing a table and ordering our food. I end up getting a Caesar Salad and a fruit bowl. It's weird, if I'm gonna die, why would I care about what I eat? I don't know. I just do today.

Derek arrives sometime later along with Quinn. Apparently Henry is stuck on babysitting duty. Everyone jokes around at the table but for some reason, I can't have fun. Nothing is making me laugh, not even Xander's bad puns.

"Hey, hey, Brianne!"
"Yeah?"
"What's green and smells like blue paint?"
"I don't know.."
"Green paint!"
"Oh"
"Ahahahaha!!!"

Brianne smacks her head frustrated at that joke. I roll my eyes, but Xander continues to laugh his ass off. The other boys are talking about some horror movie.

"Princess!"
"Please no—"
"What's red and bad for your teeth?"
"I don't—"
"A brick!!"
"Oh dear lord..."
"Hahahaha!!!!"

I roll my eyes and excuse myself from the table for a minute. I head outdoors for a little air. My face burns, but my heart is cold. I feel sick. My eyes burn like I need to cry.

"Hey" a British accent scares me out of my thoughts. "Oh!" I yelp, spinning to him. His arm wraps around my waist. A smirk fills his face. "So I've been thinking, you've got a lot of baggage, and you probably need a break from it every once in a while.." he starts, his accent rolling from his tongue, "anyways, I got you this" he says and hands me what looks like a hard drive. I glance up at him confused. He rolls his eyes, bringing the object to his lips. The next thing I know, smoke pipes from his mouth back at me. It smells fruity.

"That's called a juul. It's a lot of nicotine, one hit should be enough for you, maybe it'll help you be less stressed or in less pain. I don't know. Just thought you could use it" he says, making me blush. He's really thought that much about me? He turns and walks away, his smirk full and his eyes gleaming. "Thanks!" I call out just as he shuts the door. How.. considerate. I've never vaped before,but I mean, there's a first time for everything. I just barely tried cigarettes for the first time, and somehow I believe these will be slightly stronger. Plus less disgusting.

I take a hit, just curious. Coughs wrack my body and I choke out the smoke. Ouch. That kills like a mother.. I tuck it into my bra and cough harder. Dear god, I'm going to die.

I head back inside, wobbling. I'm dizzy. Guess that means it works then.. great. Quinn hides his smirk behind his water glass, his eyes following my movement. The rest of them raise an eyebrow at my weird behavior.. because I practically fall off the chair as soon as I sit down. Brianne helps me balance, laughing confused. "Clumsy.." she whispers.

The rest of the night is full of us eating until we feel sick. Then we all head home, kissing each other on the cheeks as farewell. When I get home I face plant and fall straight back asleep. I'm out. I'm exhausted.

I wonder briefly if anything in the next week will change my mind.. but I doubt it. Even feeling numb from the buzz won't help me forget all that has happened. It's too painful. Betrayal conquers all else.

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9 days.