Smooth, Callie.So freaking smooth. God, I was a moron at times. If only my mother had cared as much about my people skills as she did about my ability to roundhouse kick a dude in the head. She should have made it a priority to not make me this awkward.
Daniel didn’t react, even though I knew he was laughing at me. His lips might have been pressed in a firm line, but his eyes were sparkling with mirth. “I’ll show you how to use the shower. I’ll leave some new clothes and such outside the door.” He pointed to a low white cabinet just before the stall. “Everything you need to wash is in there. We use toothbrushes here as well. We stole the idea from Earth. There are some new ones in there.”
Daniel soon had cascades of water and steam filling the glass cube of the shower, and he turned to leave the room.
“Hey,” I called out, halting him. When he turned back, I smiled. “Thank you for not removing my clothes while I was asleep, even though I’m sure you didn’t want these disgusting rags on your sheets. It’s just that I … I was in a vulnerable position, and you didn’t step over the line.”
His eyes burned into me, leaving me feeling as if Iwascompletely naked and exposed in front of him. How did he do that?
“Trust is more important than a bit of blood on my sheets,” he said, words deep and low. “I would never risk yours.”
Then he left the room, and I wasn’t sure if he might not have just taken a small piece of me with him.
When I finally pulled myself together – and it took way longer than it should have – I wasted no time stripping off my filthy clothes and tossing them as far from me as possible. I never wanted to see them again. On top of the fact they were beyond yuck, they also represented everything that had been taken from me over the last few days. My mother and life topping the list.
Stepping into the warm spray, I let out a low moan. It was steamier than I expected, but Daniel had explained that the water here – thelegreto– was not exactly like Earth’s. Something I had learned yesterday, but it was even more different when heated – thicker, becoming an even mix of steam and water.
I found it quite soothing, and it cleaned so well, without me even using soap or anything to wash myself. The water that ran off me was red at first. The sight of that sent me into a bit of a frenzy. I attacked my body with a coarse scrubbing block that had been in the new supplies Daniel pointed out. Then I used a minty smelling wash for my hair and body, and by the time I was done, there was no blood – or layers of skin – left on me anywhere.
Stepping out, I grabbed the large webbed material that they used here to dry themselves. It absorbed the water quickly, much better than the ragged towels we had back in the condo. My hair fluffed out around me, thick straight strands falling naturally to my shoulders. I cut my own hair most of the time, and I’d gotten very good at mimicking simple but fashionable hairstyles.
When I was dry, I crossed to gently ease the door open. A pile of clothes was sitting in front it, just as Daniel promised, so I quickly gathered it up and shut the door again. A black bra and panties were on top, and I stared at it for many long moments.
Okay, how the hell had he managed to find me underwear? Was this some stranger’s underwear? Could I be picky and not wear it? I mean, it looked clean – it looked brand new actually – but it seemed kind of weird.
As I lifted the bra up, a white piece of paper fell out. Bending over, I picked it up. It was folded in half, and when I opened it I realized it was a message, hand written. The flowy words did not work well with my stupid inability to read like a normal person, but after about ten minutes I figured out that the note was from Emma and she was writing to tell me about the clothes. I managed to read the entire thing and by the end, I was more than a little impressed with myself.
Hey Callie,Emma here, it started.
Dan asked me to send some clothes over for you, but of course I am in Astoria, not Overworld, so I asked Star, Lexen’s sister and a great friend of mine, to procure something. She’s always giving me clothes. Somehow in my size. I hope you like what she sends.
p.s See you in school
p.p.s The underwear is brand new. It freaked me out at first, too.
The warmthin my chest was strong enough to be worrying, but I was starting to recognize the sensation. Friendship. It was nice.
I slipped the underwear on, marveling at how comfortable they were. The material was very fine, almost like silk, but it wasn’t shiny or slippery. I personally had never been a fan of silk, not in sheets or clothing. I didn’t like the texture. This was the perfect mix, though, just smooth enough to be the most comfortable thing I had ever worn.
The clothes were very similar to what I wore yesterday. Jeans, which somehow fit me perfectly, just as Emma had said. And a simple white shirt – also in a similar high-quality material to my underwear. There were socks, but no shoes. Which was fine, because I was not giving up my Converse. They were a staple in my wardrobe.
One last glance in the mirror was enough to show that I no longer looked like a murder victim. I ran my hand across my throat again, images of Laous’ blade slamming into my mind. I wondered if I would ever forget that sensation of being cut, of the fear and cold which filled my body as the blood dripped out of it.
“You ready to go, Callie?” Daniel called through the door, startling me from the memories holding me in their thrall.
With a shake of my head, I turned from my reflection and hurried across to open the door. Daniel must have been right on the other side, because we were suddenly face to face. I tilted my head back. “Oh, hey,” I said. “All ready to go. Just need my shoes.”
He didn’t say anything, but he did run his gaze over my newly-washed hair and face. When those pretty eyes settled on mine, I sucked in a low breath, hoping he didn’t notice anything odd in my gaze. I didn’t want to talk about what happened yesterday, I just needed time to deal with it. In my own way.
“You look a lot better,” he said, a husky murmur of words.
I swallowed roughly. “I feel better,” I mumbled, awkward as always. “Thanks, again.”
He nodded, taking a step back, and I felt like I could breathe again. How did he take up all the space and air in the room when he was in it? It wasn’t possible for people – even alien people – to do that, right?
“Your shoes have been cleaned. They are over on that stand.” He pointed to a small table near an open door. I was just reaching out to grab them when a travel mug emitting a delicious smell stopped me in my tracks.
Before I could think, I was diving on the cup, cradling its warmth to my chest. “Oh my precious,” I cried. “I have missed you.”
