Unpacking back in my room, I rummage around for some things. Pulling out my bathing suit and speaker, I open the door to go relax in the hot tub.
I soak for a couple of hours as I let myself decompress from everything: leaving Philly and my best friend, moving to Los Angeles, potentially seeing Liam, and that strange moment when I saw that weirdly colored Jeep. So much has happened today, and all I want is to have some time to myself to reorganize my thoughts.
Maybe, just maybe, it’ll give me some peace of mind.
My muscles lose their tension and I sigh in relief right before a door slams, and my body clenches again. I sigh as both Josh’s and Mom’s voices become increasingly louder. I hope with all my might that nobody will come and disturb me, but when has the universe ever respected what I want?
“Kate’s calling you.”
I turn back to see Josh look at me, then scroll on his phone as he opens the door.
“Got it, thanks,” I mutter, turning back around to see the sun starting to set, the blue sky now covered in lovely hues of red and orange. I dry off my hands to take a picture of it, but then frown as my phone gets snatched from me.
“Now, Bianca.” Josh holds my phone out of reach and I look at him, appalled at his behavior. I stand my ground and knock his arm slightly. His hand lands on the railing and he flinches. My eyes widen when I see a small cut on his finger, crimson-red liquid oozing out.
“Dad, Dad. Wake up,” I said frantically, but the gash on his head kept oozing blood. I whimpered and looked up at the lady, begging for her to help him. Tears welled in her eyes, but she didn’t respond.
As they carried him, the lights hit his wounds in a way that I really noticed all of the blood. I had no idea why underneath the lights, the blood on him scared me so much.
It was like I finally realized what it was, and I hated it.
I glanced down at myself and saw all the bloody wounds, which caused me to freak out. I started to move around as they tried to calm me down. I tried to get the blood off me—scratched at it, even—but all it did was smear ...
“What is wrong with you?”
I blink rapidly, coming back to reality as Josh shakes me. Mom becomes clearer as she stands next to him with tears in her eyes.
“Bianca, breathe,” she says, and I look at her, still somewhat afloat in my own body. Josh has an unreadable look on his face. Her hands are placed on me gently, and I concentrate on the scent of her perfume, breathing in and out.
Inhale.
Exhale.
“I’m okay.” My voice is hoarse as if I had been screaming for hours, and Mom hugs me instantly.
“Kate, why was she freaking out over a small cut?” Josh asks while I look down, ashamed.
Mom turns around and looks at him exasperatedly. “There’s a reason for it, I promise.”
“A serious injury I understand, but this?” He raises his bloody finger and I stiffen. He looks at me, almost disgusted,and I shrink back; he’sneverlooked at me like that. He glances toward Mom. “You need to stop coddling her, Kate.” The goose bumps on my swimsuit-clad body become more apparent, the coldness from him incomparable to the slight breeze.
He throws down my phone on the table. It lands with a sharp clatter. Mom looks at him, shocked. “Josh, hon.” She reaches for him, but he steps back, taking a deep breath. He walks off without another word. Mom sighs and turns back around as she passes me a towel. “The move has been stressful, and I haven’t told him about your phobia. He didn’t mean it that way.” I nod—more so in embarrassment—and walk back into my room. I take a quick shower, then slip into pajamas. Lying down, my eyes well slightly.
What is wrong with you?
She’s an adult.
Pathetic.
Pathetic.
Pathetic.
My heart stutters as the words echo, looping around in my head. Josh has never gotten that upset before. Shame comes over me at that, and I wipe away a rogue tear.
My phone buzzes next to me and I look at it. Something of a smile forms on my face.
I’m glad you got there safely, B! Call me when you get a chance. Preferably at the beach...on a video call...with your camera flipped so I can see the fineeee California men.
