Strings of Fate

Megan 7- Crying and cleaning

Once we’re off the phone Darrien pushes me towards his bathroom.

“You’ll feel better when you’re clean.” He promises. I don’t think a shower is going to be enough to make me feel clean again. But I do as he says because it’s not like I have a better plan. I stand under the hot water and cry my eyes out for a good half hour as the blood washes down the drain. I borrow some of Darrien’s stupid guy 2 in 1 shampoo/conditioner stuff that is probably terrible for my hair but at least it gets the blood out. I also use some of his b*dy wash and I find it comforting and familiar. Once my eyes are burning from the tears, I force myself to stop crying and turn off the water. I look at myself in the little mirror he has in here and realise that my eye makeup didn’t come off in the shower and has just run down. my face giving me panda eyes. This morning I felt beautiful. Now I just feel disgusting and broken. I search for something to clean my face, but all I can find is a single towel that Darrien left behind for me. I wrap myself in it and Darrien gently taps on the door.

“Megan? I have something for you to wear.” He calls out.

“Okay. Come in.” I answer. My voice is hoarse from crying and he must be able to hear it. I hate crying in front of people. He opens the door cautiously and steps inside. He hands me a pile of clothes.

“They’re mine so they won’t fit you, but it’s better than nothing. We can grab something of yours later.” He says softly. I nod and take the clothes, clutching them to my chest. He takes in my appearance and the makeup running down my face.

“Let me help you with that.” He gestures for me to sit on the closed toilet and I do, still clutching the clothes to myself. He rummages through a cupboard I wasn’t brave enough to open and pulls out a face washer. He dampens it and then kneels on the wet floor in front of me. He carefully and methodically wipes the makeup from my face before dropping the face washer into the sink. I just sit there, unmoving, not sure what to do with myself.

“I’ll let you get dressed.” He steps out, closing the door behind himself. I get to my feet and look at the clothes he left me. An oversized shirt and a pair of track pants with a tie at the waist. I pull the tie tight and roll up the pants a little so I won’t trip over them and slip the

I look so small in his clothes and I feel very exposed without underwear. My hair is dripping down my back but I can’t be bothered to even towel it off. I just leave it. I step into

shirt

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Megan 7- Crying and cleaning

the living room and Darrien hands me a hot chocolate that he had ready and waiting.

“Here, relax for a minute while I clean up. I’ll be right back. Call if you need something.” He insists. I nod and he steps into the bathroom with an armful of clothing. He showers in under two minutes and when he emerges he’s dressed similarly to me, but his clothes actually fit

him.

sipping at my drink slowly. Darrien sinks into the couch beside me, holding

and he adjusts so that he can reach me better. He carefully squeezes the water out of my hair and pats it dry so that it’s no longer dripping. Then he carefully sorts through my hair with the brush. I pulled out all the pins in the shower, but there was teasing in my hair and his crappy hair products didn’t do much to help that

the silence.

sorry.” He says, his voice breaking.

for?” I ask,

–

save

to that moment. Tristan leapt at Darrien and I was moving before I could think. I didn’t hesitate. Didn’t even blink. I just knew I had to

protects me.

be the worst part of this. I can’t imagine making any other decision at that moment. Darrien sighs, drops the brush and wordlessly wraps an arm over my shoulder,

“Thank you

He says instead. I can accept that. The one bright side of this situation. He didn’t get hurt.

few hours at his place. Darrien gives me time to work through my thoughts and he stays there, sitting with me while I cry it out. Darrien occasionally checks

2/4

Crying and

with someone via text. I have no idea who, honestly I

a phone call from Shaun and I listen in.

I’m here with Megan.” Darrien answers

him.” Shaun explains. I can’t help but snort a laugh. It sounds a little crazy and almost more like a sob, but it is a laugh. I answer for Darrien, snatching the

They’ve sorted things out

try to call him

serious.

answer dryly. Darrien gestures that he wants

it to him.