“Can you all give me a minute, I need to use the bathroom,” I say with my head lowered, not really liking the need to explain myself.
No one says a word and I prepare to try and lift myself up, when the cover is gently pulled back and Roman is tenderly placing an arm under my legs and one round my back. Lifting me as delicately as possible he heads to the bathroom. I don’t argue, as much as each step he takes causes me pain, I do quite like being enveloped by him.
He walks me into the bathroom and slowly places me on my feet, making sure I’m steady before he steps back a little.
“Which side of the door do you need me on?” he asks, like it’s not a big issue.
Glancing down at myself, I’m wearing an oversized t-shirt that hits me mid-thigh, and I know I’ve got panties on, so that’s all I’ll need to take care of.
“I’ll be alright if you can just give me a minute. Please,” I murmur, not willing to meet his eyes.
He doesn’t respond, just does as I asked.
My body hurts so much, every part aching from the attack, they didn’t leave a stone unturned that’s for sure. Once I’ve finished, I prepare myself for the large mirror over the sink. I turn the faucet on and slowly raise my eyes.
God. I don’t even recognize myself. There’s a cut on my forehead and another on my right cheek, two black eyes and my whole face is swollen and colored black and blue. I look my arms over which are covered in bruises, and my legs match.
I raise my t-shirt to check over my ribs, it’s fucking hard trying to get my body to comply. I’ve got the top half way up when Roman pushes the door open, he must be able to tell what I’m trying to do, because without a word he stands behind me and raises my t-shirt, stopping just below my breast. I obviously can’t see the cracked ribs, but they are by far the worst marks.
“How bad is my back?” I ask, meeting his gaze in the mirror.
“As bad as the front.”
No sugar coating just the honest truth, and that’s what I need right now, I feel weak enough in my physical abilities, I don’t need my mentality to be babied too.
Roman releases my t-shirt and goes to carry me again.
“I really appreciate it Roman, but could you maybe help me walk back? You don’t have to, but I need to do it for myself, even if it hurts like a bitch.”
He takes me in for a moment, then holds his arm out for me to link. It takes a lot of effort and energy, but I eventually make it back to my bed. Nobody questions it, which is likely to do with the stern look on Roman’s face as a warning not to.
“Baby girl, I ran back to my room and brought you some of Roman’s mama's stew for you. It’s the shit I swear, and it’ll have you feeling better in no time.”Oscar approaches with a big bed tray loaded with other snacks too.
I smile appreciatively at him, as he places the tray over my lap. He bends to meet my eyes, and there is a softness there. Amongst all his jokes and ego, he can be a nice guy? Who knew his mouth wouldn’t get him in trouble for a change?
“Do you need any help?” he asks. Tucking stray hair behind my ear gently, but I shake my head.
“I can only allow myself to be so weak but thank you for offering.”
“You can be as weak as you need to be Sakura, we are here to help,” Kai responds.
“I do appreciate that, but I don’t know you guys enough to hold that level of trust, too much has already happened in the space of a week. My trust has been broken by too many people already,” I reply honestly.
Nobody responds, they can tell I won’t believe any different right now. I take my time, but I consume every last drop of the stew, he wasn’t lying it was to die for, literally. Thick with vegetables and beef, I don’t know what is in the sauce, but I need to ask Roman how I get some more.
The silence in the room makes me feel a little awkward, with me in this state. Parker must sense my discomfort.
“So, word of the day guys,” he says, trying to relieve some of the tension in the room. He looks Roman, who just rolls his eyes.
“What’s word of the day?” I ask, happy to encourage a conversation.
“Parker likes to learn a new word every day,” Oscar adds with an exaggerated sigh.
“That sounds like fun. From the Urban Dictionary though? That’s the best,” I say, looking to Parker, who just frowns back at me.
“What’s the Urban Dictionary?”
“What do you mean? The Urban Dictionary is the funniest. It’s an online dictionary for slang words and phrases,” I chuckle.
“I need to see this,” he says, pulling his phone out.
There’s a knock on the main door, which West must take care of because in walks Red, when did she even leave? I’m clearly a shitty friend for not realizing. Then I see what she’s carrying.
“You did not just go get me unicorn sprinkles and rainbow dust,” I cry out, and she smiles at me holding out the icy cold goodness.
“I wanted to get something to make you smile,” she whispers in my ear, as she gently wraps her arm around me in a side hug. I feel like I could burst with tears.
Always my fucking sunshine.
I need to figure shit out, after what the attackers said, I don’t want to put anyone in harm's way.
“So, the only thing I actually remember is their parting words. Which were
