Out of A Shell (Dash Parr x Fem!Shy!Reader)

Deterioration

The past few days have not been fun.

This stab wound has still been hurting away, and the skin around it is very sensitive. I don't know if it's healing or not...the bleeding hasn't completely stopped, and there's been more of a yellow-white fluid draining from it. I'm not too positive what that meant.

My heart rate has been fluctuating, and I've overall felt lightheaded. I found some old bottles of medicine in my parents' bathroom, and I've been using small amounts of them to help get rid of the symptoms. I've been trying my best to hide all of this, but with the little sleep I've been getting, along with how I probably have been acting weirder than normal to some people at school, I don't think I'm doing well enough.

Especially because, Dash has been observing me like a hawk. He has asked a few times if I was alright, and despite me saying yes, he gave me doubtful stares. I'm not sure how much longer it'll be, before he buckles down and pressures me to tell the truth. But at least Cam is easier to fool, after I told her I was ok once, she let it go.

Now, as I'm getting ready for school today, a sense of anxiety uncomfortably settled in my stomach. I wonder how much longer it'll be, before I start feeling better?

On top of my worries, Dad was supposed to be back tomorrow. Maybe he'll be so distracted with work, that he won't notice me like this...I can only hope.

...Speaking of Dad...that letter he got some days ago has been piquing my interest. Something was telling me to open it, but side of me that was afraid of what Dad would do screamed louder. I can try asking him about it, after he himself opens it.

~~~

"So...have you been sleeping well?"

I glanced from the notebook in my arms up to the blond teen walking next to me. He asked if he could walk me to my first class, and I had no reason to say no...but I'm thinking I should've.

"Not really..." I honestly answer. There was no point lying there, my baggy and bloodshot eyes revealed it. However, I could try to ease his concerns.

"But insomnia spells aren't uncommon for me. It's nothing."

I say, even though my vision wasn't in tip-top shape right now. It was constantly blurry, even if I wiped my eyes. I don't know if it's because of the insomnia, or this illness I'm probably developing.

"Have you asked your parents for help?" He asked, and I gave him a confused one, which he returned with one of his own. I then realized that I haven't told him about them.

"My parents are gone. And even if they were here, I doubt they'd care."

"They're...gone?"

"They're out of town. Have been for a while." I said, nonchalant.

"Ok..." He squinted. "...But, why do you think they wouldn't care?"

"They're just...like that." I shrugged. "It's hard to explain."

I saw that we reached my class, and broke away from him.

"See you later?" I rhetorically asked, before hobbling into the classroom. I saw Dash's pout for a split second, and I knew he had more to say, but it would unfortunately have to wait.

~~~

I walked, or tottered technically, into the cafeteria alone. Cam wasn't here today for whatever reason, so it was just me.

I made my way over to an empty table and planted myself on a chair. I didn't start eating though, something more pressing had my attention.

I looked down at my hands, seeing that they were shaking. They were also a little cool, but sweat still welled up on my skin like I was hot. I reached up to feel my forehead, feeling the higher-than-normal heat there.