The final bell jolted me from my chaotic thoughts. I rose from the empty teacher’s desk and wobbled over to the door. My legs felt shaky, and the sensitive spot between my legs was slightly sore.
It was a short walk to Kat’s locker, and much to my surprise, she was already there. Kat’s first words almost made me fall over.
“Whoa, what the hell happened to your neck?” Kat gaped, her eyes fixed on something I couldn’t see.
“W-What?” I gasped as Kat stepped aside, gesturing to the mirror hanging on her locker door. I stood on my tiptoes and peered into the mirror, choking on my own breath at the sight of dark bruise-like spots running down my neck.
The f*ck*ng twins had left hickeys all over me. There was no way I’d be able to hide this from Lauren or the people at work. I never had hickeys before, but I knew they didn’t go away in 24 hours.
Kat pursed her lips and eyed me knowingly, “The twins?”
I clenched my teeth and fought against the furious blush that stained my face. Apparently, my reaction was answer enough.
“If I give you this, I want a detailed explanation.” Kat cocked her ginger eyebrow and held up a bottle of concealer.
“Deal,” I huffed, grabbing the bottle from her hands.
“Now explain.” Kat placed a hand on her hip while I flipped my hair forward.
“Not here. In your car so I can put this on my neck,” I said, shaking my head.
We hopped into Kat’s car, and she helped me dab the creamy liquid on my neck. It wasn’t the perfect shade, but it hid the spots just fine.
“I’ll pick you up one in your shade,” Kat nodded to herself, and I was forever grateful. While I wanted to decline, I valued self-preservation more. Darren would be incorrigible if he saw my neck coated in hickeys. Being called ‘sl*t’ and ‘wh*r*’ would be the least of my concerns.
By the time I finished explaining what happened in the empty classroom, we were parked in my driveway. Kat had been speechless the entire time, a look of shock lingering on her face.
“I’m horrible, aren’t I,” I groaned. “Can’t even control myself.”
Kat shook her head, “I don’t think most girls would resist them either, myself included.”
“That’s the thing though, I want to resist them.” I sighed, confusion swirling within me. Is that really what I wanted? It had to be. It had to be what I wanted. A year from now, I won’t be in this town anymore. Ethan and Kieran were players, the twins who took what they wanted. For whatever reason, they set their sights on me.
This back and forth was exhausting, but I needed to make a decision and try to stick to it. Kieran and Ethan weren’t good for me. I had always looked out for myself, and now I needed to more than ever.
“Oh, almost forgot.” Kat grinned sheepishly. “I got you something.”
I pursed my lips and stared at her. “I don’t want it.”
Kat contorted her face into one of mock offense. “You don’t even know what it is. Tsk tsk, and I thought you liked surprises.”
“I hate surprises,” I raised my eyebrow at her. “You know that.”
“Well, that sucks for you, but I happen to love surprises.” Kat smirked, pulling out a small box.
“Kat-” I groaned but was cut off by the flaming redhead.
“Listen here, miss,” Kat glared at me. “You are going to accept my gift, and you are going to like it.”
I gave her one last weary glance and peeled back the bright wrapping paper on the box.
“It isn’t even a holiday,” I murmured grumpily.
“It’s ‘give a friend a gift day,’ b*tch.” Kat snickered, a grin playing on her lips as I looked at what was inside the box.
A phone; an actual phone. Not a chunky flip phone like the one Lauren got me. This phone was shiny and new, with a huge screen and multiple cameras.
I shook my head furiously. “No, not a chance. I could never afford to pay you back for this, and I can’t even afford my own phone plan.”
“You don’t have to pay anything back, Sophia,” Kat shook her head, turning the phone on for me. “And it’s already on my phone plan. Everything’s paid for.”
“Why would you get me something like this?” I frowned. It made no sense. Kat had only known me for a whopping total of two weeks.
“I told you, my family has money,” Kat shrugged. “And besides, you’re my friend.”
I could tell she was holding something back, but I decided not to question it.
“Fine, I’ll accept it.” I clenched my teeth together. “But the minute I have the money for my own phone, I’m giving this one back. Got it?”
“Yes, ma’am,” Kat grinned, giving me one of those one-armed hugs. “By the way, my number’s already in there.”
I went inside feeling a little teary-eyed, tucking the new cellphone deep in my book bag. This morning had momentarily been forgotten when Lauren approached me again.
“So, did you think about what I said this morning?” Lauren asked softly, forcing a carefree smile onto her face.
Another sharp pang. “Yeah, I did.” I lied through my teeth. I had tried to forget about this morning the second it happened.
“And?” Lauren grinned at me.
This time, Darren was listening in on the conversation from his recliner, a fresh beer in his hand. I paused for a moment and thought it over hastily. The money would definitely be useful for my college fund, even if I only got half.
“Sure,” I nodded. “I’ll call her, but on one condition.”
Lauren’s smile twitched for a moment, and I stiffened as she wrapped a single arm around my shoulders. This made me more nerve-wracked than anything Ethan or Kieran did.
“What’s your condition?” Her voice was cool, even.
“I want to stay home until Saturday,” I pursed my lips. It was only two days of school, I could make the work up easily. Plus, it gave me plenty of time to think about Ethan and Kieran.
Lauren nodded. “Alright, deal.”
My mother-Lauren-was hugging me. It’s just a fluke, my mind repeated. My defenses shot up and did what they could to protect me when the inevitable happened. Lauren had what she wanted; sooner or later, she’d go back to treating me like vermin.
“I gotta go do homework,” my voice sounded strained and hoarse. “I’ll call her when I get upstairs.”
“Alright, hon,” Lauren called as I turned and scrambled away.
My lungs and heart were on overdrive as I flopped down on my bed. I knew it sounded silly, but Lauren had that effect on me. Even after living with her for years, some part of me wanted a mom. Every time Lauren needed something from me, she’d turn all nice and caring. Over time, I learned she’d never change; she’d just continue manipulating me. It was nice, though, for a moment. For those short hours, I had an actual mom.
Once my breathing finally stilled, I called the social worker. The call went straight to voicemail, and I recited the line Lauren had told me. I was just a bratty kid who made the entire thing up. Of course, I was getting my checks; of course, they helped me. I was just mad at Lauren.
Once my homework was finished, I took an extremely long shower, basking in the hot water. My defenses slipped for just a moment, remembering what it felt like to be hugged by Lauren -by my mother. I let a few tears slip down my cheeks and gave in to the hollow feeling in my chest. Five minutes passed, and I raised my defenses, pushing Lauren from my mind. Five minutes was all she deserved.
I snuck downstairs at one point, grabbing some leftovers I had taken home from the restaurant. Whenever an order was messed up, they’d set the food off to the side. No one noticed or cared when I slipped a few containers for myself. It saved money on buying my own food and tasted much better than anything I could make on my own.
I flopped over on the bed and unlocked the phone Kat had given me. It was only fair to let her know about missing school the next two days.
-Sophia 8:58p. m.
Hey, I’m not gonna be in school these next two days. Sorry, Kat
I cringed at the text I had sent, wondering if it was sufficient. It took me long enough to tap the letters out on the phone.
-Kat 9:00p. m.
Aw d*mn 🙁 You feeling alright?
-Sophia 9:03p. m.
Just need some time to think. I’ll be back Monday. Promise
-Kat 9:05p. m.
Ugh alright, I get it 🙁 Also, just a heads up. I’m inviting myself over to your place tomorrow 🙂
My stomach clenched at the thought of Kat meeting Lauren and Darren. Not a chance I was gonna let that happen.
-Sophia 9:08p. m.
Actually, can we just hang out at your house? There are some renovations going on at mine.
I felt guilty for lying, but I refused to see the look of pity on her face when she saw where we lived. The most run-down looking house in town. Plus, Lauren would put on a good show for her. She’d act like the caring mom for a couple of hours, and I couldn’t handle that.
Quite a bit of time passed, and I wondered if I had said something wrong. Maybe Kat was just as uncomfortable with bringing friends over to her house as I was.
-Kat 9:34 p. m.
Sounds good to me. Be ready at 3:30!
Goodnight!