Cry For Me

Chapter 7: No more

*wakes up from slumber* Oh what year is it?....

....
        "Uwah, it's so dark...."

        Tally grimaced, stretching his neck in a slightly different angle to observe the two conspicuous scarlet punctured wounds contrasting greatly against his pale neck. The wounds had closed up but there were patches of red and purple around it and though the pain had died down, the mark had not fade yet. The pain always healed faster than the physical mark itself and though that is convenient, it is not convenient enough for concealment.

        Heaving a tired sigh, Tally stood back slightly from the bathroom mirror to look at himself.

        He looked weary and perhaps paler than usual but he guessed that was normal after a morning bath. But what really stood out like a sore thumb were the dreadful wounds. He couldn't simply wear a normal T-shirt without having someone made a fuss about it.

        His hand caressed the wounds lightly, feeling the light pair of bumps.

        Any bigger or deeper, he would have accidentally marked me as his mate...

        Tally thought worriedly, his creased eyebrows expressed his troubled feelings especially when the mirror image of a dark purple handprint enclosing around his wrist came into his sight. His wrist felt a little swollen but otherwise, the pain - as predicted - had calmed down and he was able to use it; just lightly for now until it fully healed.

        He had snuck out of Ryder's room that morning when the owner of the room was in the shower. He didn't feel like greeting Ryder at that moment, especially when his fear of him had not completely subsided yet. What will happen after this – Tally had no idea. He could only hope Ryder wouldn't call him again, which is highly unlikely judging by the 'fun' Ryder have had with him.

        Whatever ideas he'd have about restoring their friendship disappeared along with his pain. Although not completely discarding the idea, he wasn't exactly feeling like carrying it out either. There was still hope residing somewhere in his heart but fear overtook most of it. Ryder can move on without him easily anyway – there was no emotional attachment on his part.

        But for Tally? That might have been a different case.

        The reluctance to completely leave Ryder nailed Tally to the ground. It was like he wouldn't be able to move on nor forget about the whole thing while he would watch Ryder easily moving his feet forward with his back diminishing from his sight by the seconds.

        Again, it was unfair.

        Tally just couldn't figure out the confusion breeding in his mind. There was a gap somewhere that he has not filled up yet; a gap that trapped him from a step forward.

        Could it be guilt?

        He jolted in surprise when he heard his bedroom was shut a little too hard, interrupting his gloomy thoughts, in which he was grateful for. Whoever entered his room walked across his room to his bed and made themselves at home, Tally concluded with his enhanced hearing sense. He guessed it to be Acacia since she was the only one who wouldn't stand on ceremony around him but they had not made up yet so he couldn't exactly be sure.

        Unless it is Ryder?

        Quickly putting on his oversized hoodie that he hung on the towel hanger, Tally washed his face and stepped out of the bathroom to confirm his suspicion. If it was Ryder...well, he wouldn't know how to react....