Delirium: Crash & Burn

Part XXXII

Two days later

Poppy

I splashed cold water over my face, instantly bringing myself back to life and reducing the effects that the alcohol and drug duet. I patted my face dry with the towel which rested on the side of the sink. I held onto the sides of the sink unable to stand up straight. I stuck on a loop I was in  the same routine of, partying until late, going back to the house with some random frat boy and being late for my history lectures. I promised myself that I wouldn't fall back into these hazardous habits but I had.

I reached for the glass that was on the sink and I filled it up with water and began to drink. The pure liquid winded down my chest cavities and into my hollow stomach, my body was surprised that I was drinking water for a change, a wave of shivers convulsed down my spine. I reached for my phone, retrieving it from my back pocket, I still hadn't heard from Cole since last week. I was getting sick of being ignored. He was my baby brother and I couldn't protect him if I didn't know where he was.

I sighed putting my phone back in my pocket and heading for the door but before I could reach for the door it started to open. One of the boys from the party came in, he barely noticed me before he bumped into me, pushing back into the bathroom.

"Hey watch where you're going." I instantly snapped drawing his attention to me. He tilted his head to the side as to study me. There was something about his gaze, the way he looked at me that made me feel increasingly unsafe. I tried to walk away from him but he blocked my attempts by standing in my way. My heart race increased I was unable to look at him as I feared I would cry.

"Woah there where are you going so fast?" He breathed over me, his scent was masked by the overwhelming smell of alcohol, I suppressed my gag reflexes. He brushed the back of his hand across my face which caused me to flinch. I was suddenly sober and aware of how frightened I was.

Typically Cole would come to these parties with me, him and Harrison often did. If they were here, guys like this wouldn't dare come near me out of the sheer intimidation that Cole and Harrison imposed on other males. I tried to push the thought to the back of my mind and exhort my power. If I could just get out of here I could find my friends and I'd be safe.

"Just let me past jack ass." My weak strength caused him to laugh loudly, rolling his head back as though he couldn't believe what I was saying. He lifted his foot kicking the door shut and locked it without turning around.

I eventually looked up at him studying his face. He wasn't handsome, not even remotely good looking. He wore thick brows which knitted together as he frowned at me, he had dark hair which was roped in a bun behind his head. His dark eyes promised horrible things, his lips folded upwards to a malicious smile as he spoke.

"Not so brave without your pet bull dogs are you Beckett?" I knew he was referring to Cole and Harrison. I swallowed hard unable to remove the lump in my throat. His words rung in my head, it was true. I never feared men and pre teen boys and what they may or may not do.

I wore what I wanted and spoke to whoever I wanted however I wanted. I was only able to be that way because I knew if anyone would come near me to hurt me Cole would protect me. In high school Harrison would protect me. Both of them would, though I was older, their brute strength and temper would cause people to second guess hurting me.

All my life I knew the protection of men but now I found myself without that and I was hollow. I didn't know what to say to him to combat whatever hateful anger he had towards me, so I remained quite.

"It's about time you shut up. You're so high and mighty, I don't know who the fuck you've always thought you were." I didn't know either. I shook my head in attempts to defend myself. "Speak! Do you not know how to now? You run your mouth all the time, why not now?" The music seemed to get louder and louder, there was no point calling for help or telling him to get away from me. The truth is I didn't know how to speak, how to defend myself when men acted like this, it was never my job. I was always protected from these types of guys.