Page 59 of Icy Heart, Empty Chest
“That’s mildly disgusting,” I commented. “You get your clothes and stuff, I’m going to work on that.” I gestured with a grimace to his kitchen. He nodded.
Empty containers went into the trash. A window was immediately cracked. Trash was double bagged and deposited in its designated bin. I opened his fridge hesitantly.
“Dae, I swear on all the gods there are, I’m teaching you how to cook. You’re a grown-ass man with mustard, ketchup, eggs and a spoiled milk in here.”
He emerged with a stuffed duffle and wearing jeans and a T-shirt.
“I can do the basics but my hours are weird.”
“We have a month together,” I said, shutting the fridge door. “I’ll turn you into a respectable chef if it kills me.”
I glanced back. “Shoulda left the scrubs on.”
“Cora, do I want to know why you have scrubs in my size?” There was note of temptation in his voice.
I turned to go shut the window. “No. But you looked good in them.”
“Doctor fetish?”
I snorted. “Not even remotely.”
Back at my place, I eyed the clock. Despite the nap I still felt ragged.
“One or two games and then I’m done.”
“OK then. Truth or dare?”
“Are you serious? I have actual games and card decks.”
He shook his head. “Nope. Humor me. Truth or dare?”
I rolled my eyes, sighing. My competitive spirit was pouting. “Fine, truth.”
“What did you mean when you said my friends tortured you?”
My face flamed up and irritation crossed my features. “Really? Now?” I snapped. I was hoping to avoid poking the gaping scar across my memories.
“It’s my only unanswered question.” He crossed his arms and made his way to my couch. “Cora, I need this. I need to understand.”
“You’re an irritating pain in the ass.”
“Yup. Spill.”
I sighed loudly. “Fucking kelpie bastards.”
I made my way to the couch and flopped down dramatically.
“Where should I start? OK. So elementary school was mostly fine. No one really had hormones then. Then middle school. You met Hanna, Seb and Ky. They were in our homeroom. They all took to you instantly. Why wouldn’t they? However, they were not a fan of me.”
Dae frowned, interrupting. “They liked you well enough.”
“Their actions said otherwise, Dae. Anyway, in your presence she was fine but Hanna froze me out almost immediately. She thought I was romantic competition, as only school-age girls can. She’d bump into me in the halls, make me drop my books, she’d steal my gym clothes out of my locker, making me get a lock. All the while she’d tell me that I wasn’t good enough for you and no matter how much I protested saying we were friends, it just seemed to enrage her more. Ky was her cousin, right? Family sticks together. Tripped again and again. We had several classes together and if I was distracted by something, he’d go in my bag and steal pages of work. Hanna would tell me I was nothing. Ky’s favorite was your father’s as well, filthy nymph. Seb was the worst though. If I was talking to you, he’d bump me out of the way to put his arm around you and then remove me from the conversation. He’d take every opportunity to beat me down. Not physically, but by destroying what self-esteem a girl in high school can have. ‘Blue again? Not really your color, is it?’ ‘Maybe if you actually tried to look like a girl, someone would like you.’ ‘Damien just feels bad for you cause you’re so pathetic. He doesn’t even like you.’” I quoted.
I looked at him frankly. “I wish I could say it got better as the years went by but by all the gods, no. My father’s trial added fuel to the fire. ‘Damien doesn’t want to be friends with the daughter of a thief.’ ‘Are you as much of a criminal as your stupid father?’ ‘He’s better off without you, anyway.’ That’s the gist ofit. I remember trying to talk to you about it but you seemed convinced that they were good friends. I don’t want to think about it anymore.”
Damien’s light green face went pale then flushed red. “Cora…”
“What, Dae?” My mood had soured at the point. For so many years, I never felt worthy of him. Of his friendship. Of his love.
