Unmarked

16. Covered For Now

I wonder if Grey specifically chose clothes which would give me the most coverage. The top has long sleeves and a high neck whilst the trousers drag around my ankles covering me perfectly.

I changed in the bathroom, leaning on the door with no lock to ensure no one walks in, then I returned to the bedroom.

Since walking in a few minutes ago, Darla, Lena and Lottie haven't been able to speak due to the apparent hilarity of my borrowed look. Admittedly, everything is too big but it suits me perfectly.

"So the whole clothes lending wasn't just a euphemism for something else..." Lottie wipes a tear from her eye.

"A euphemism for what exactly?" I say with a neutral expression.

"Getting naked? Swapping saliva..." Darla starts to hold up her fingers, generating what I expect will turn into several hands worth of alternative meanings if I let her continue.

"We have a strictly clothes swapping based relationship and nothing more," I cross my arms. We also have a relationship in which he accuses me of being an informer and potentially working for The State or a rival business. He's such an asshole.

Any irritation at his accusations have gone. I'm good at boxing away unhelpful emotions quickly. Worrying about Grey's thoughts on the reason for me being here is not at the top of my priority list. In fact, it's not even on my list.

Except, I can't eliminate the confusion at his actions. He helped me but he believed me to be an informer. I'm not sure I would have been so kind if the roles were reversed.

"You look ridiculous," Darla snorts.

Lena gets up and rifles through her clothes. "Wear these leggings at least. Those trousers make you look like... uh... well... like you've grown male parts overnight." Lena flushes.

Darla shakes her head. "Lena, why are you blushing? Just say the word penis, you used to deal with them enough at your old place-"

"Shut up, Darla," Lottie snaps.

Lena lowers her eyes to the floor, her eyes watering slightly. She may have dealt with them but that didn't mean she wanted to or enjoyed it.

"Thanks, Lena, the leggings are a much better alternative," I say, hugging her tightly as the overwhelming urge to protect her takes over. I could take her with me? No. Baggage will not improve my chances of a successful escape and realistically, she's safer here anyway.

Lena smiles, dipping her head shyly. Physically she may be strong but emotionally I can't help think she's fragile, possibly already slightly broken.

"Come on, let's head down. Gloria will have a fit if we're late for training," Darla says.

"Go on without me. I need to change into these," I say, waving them away.

"We'll wait for you," Lena says.

"No, it's fine."

"You really are a prude, Cady. It's nothing we haven't seen before." Darla rolls her eyes as they head out.

I doubt that very much. Apart from myself, I've never seen an unmarked before.

The leggings are an improvement and it feels good to finally have some clean clothes on, even if the top is saturated with Grey's smell; reminding me of his accusations and how much of an asshole he is.

"Were the trousers no good?" Grey says as I walk towards him. His face is softer today and I detect a possible hint of remorse over the accusations he made last night.

"Apparently, they made me look like I'd grown a penis overnight," I respond.

Grey laughs loudly. "Well, the top looks better on you than me."