Naked (Wattys 2022)

Part 10

My alarm went off, I slid my finger across the phone to end it before getting out of bed. I'd been awake since the previous night which made me feel queezy.

I stumbled to the bathroom and braced myself on the basin as I faught my gag reflex. Sweating profusely I sunk to the floor with lack of energy.

A knock sounded on the door. My eyes widened as I tried to get up hastily.

I gripped a jacket and wrapped it around myself before opening up. I saw a sunny side up Calhoun. His grin dropped as he took in my appearance.

"Eli." Calhoun breathed out as he caught me mid falter. It'd been months since I'd gone anywhere and the fact that I was home schooled made it all the more nerve wrecking.

"Whats wrong?" I didn't know how to answer him as I tried to stand up by myself. I couldn't disappoint Emily and Daniel any longer, I needed to do something productive and try my best to be out of their way.

"Hey Eli look at me." Calhouns smooth fingers touched the side of my face, making me look directly into his brown orbs. His other hand wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer.

"Let me help you." There was a feeling in my chest and it was spreading fast. I bit my lip as I could feel heat creep up towards neck and onto my face.

When I didn't answer, Calhoun brought me to the bedroom and placed me gently onto the mattress. He walked into the bathroom and came back with a soaked cloth.

He kneeled in between my legs and I couldn't help but stare at him oddly. I was always the one below others no matter the age. I was to tie shoelaces, scrub the floors, amungst other things I'd rather not mention.

The thoughts brought distasteful memories.

"Let me take off your shirt." As Calhoun approached the hem of my sweater I flinched, moving back. I loved my scars, but the rest of the world didn't.

"I won't look." Calhoun said as he stared at me whilst he snuck the cloth under my shirt. I shivered at the contact whilst he continued to wipe me down. His close proximity caused me to hiccup. I was suddenly very nervous.

Calhoun stood up and placed a knee in between my legs in order to rub my back.

Once he was done, he rinsed the cloth and came back again in order to wipe down my face. He did so in his own time. I couldn't remember when last someone had been this gentle towards me.

Calhouns eyes were daggers piecing my past in order to bring it out in to the open. He wanted to know my secrets but he refrained from asking. I wasn't ready to bare it all. To showcase my art to those who did not understand would bring me great turmoil. I've come to love all the evil and cruelty that happened to me. So when Calhoun caressed me with no foul intention, I become paralyzed with fear.

"Are you frightened at the prospect of heading to uni?" I looked down at my hands and nodded. Feeling as if I were a bother to Calhoun I got up immediately.

"I'm sorry, this is your first day as well and your friends are most likely waiting for you. Please, go if you must. Don't let me ever hold you back." As I was about to walk to the closet Calhoun gripped my hand with ease, pulling me in his line of sight.

"Why are you apologizing? You have done nothing wrong but be too kind towards me. Which is something I do not deserve. I won't go to uni without you! I'm so excited to experience lots of things with you!" A small smile played on my lips, but before I could answer the door bell rang once again.

"Must be Wendy." I murmured.

I walked towards the door and opened.

"Hey Eli." Wendy smiled at me before looking behind me.

"And who might that be?" Wendy asked with mischief written all over her face. I turned around and wasn't surprised when I saw Calhoun stare at Wendy with heart eyes.

"This is Calhoun and this is Wendy." Thy greeted one another with a smile.

Even though it was normal for them to be attracted to one another I couldn't help but feel uneasy.

"Let's go put on some extra clothes before you get sick." Calhoun dragged me towards my room and I sheepishly looked away from Wendy who raised her eyebrow at me.

"This one." Calhoun picked out a yellow hoody and helped me get into it. It was a little too big but the way Calhoun was staring at me made me want to wear it all the time.

"You're cute." He chuckled closing the gap between us. He placed the cap of the hoody over my head and moved some of the tendrils to its rightful place.

"Let's go!" Calhoun gripped my hand in his as we left the house.

"I'll see you at school Eli." She waved and I reciprocated. Calhoun opened the door of his car waiting patiently for me to get inside.

"You don't have to do this you know?" I told him but once again I couldn't utter another syllable as Calhoun stepped closer.

"I'm not doing it because I'm obligated to do so. I just sorta want to." He smiled widely at me and then squeezed my cheeks before letting go.

This unfimilar warm feeling stayed present for the longest of times and I was frightened that it'd stay longer.

"We are having a picnic after school and you said you liked red apples. I packed some in for you."

I stared longingly at Calhoun and I couldn't quite express the yearning that began to manifest within me.