This Is for Keeps

I awoke in the morning, more sore than ever. Tom wasn’t at my side. I attempted to sit up but ended up screaming in excruciating pain from all the bruises and soreness. Immediately after the scream my dad and uncle had run into my room.

“What’s wrong Shaea?” my dad asked looking me over.

“My…side.” I groaned and held in whatever tears threatened to spill over. I lifted my shirt up and the small bruise I had last night was now the size of…well it pretty much covered my whole side.

“Holy shit, Mikey get some ice.” my dad said as his eyes widened. I looked over myself and found that all my bruises had become three times their original sizes. I looked horrible. I shuttered and pulled the blankets over me and looked at my dad, worry creased his forehead.

“Dad….where’s Tom?”

“He left early this morning, something about going to Germany.”

“He left? To Germany?”

“I guess so.”

“Did he say how long?”

“A month or so, I think.”

“Oh….”

“Here you go honey, don’t move.” my uncle said coming in with heat packs instead of ice. My dad stared at him.

“Heats better.” he shrugged and wrapped the packs in cloths and put them in place. My aunt Alicia walked in shortly after bearing blueberry pancakes and orange juice on a tray.

“Edible food!” I squeaked and thanked her as she hand me the plate and cup. My dad sent me a mock glare as Mikey and Alicia laughed.

“Sorry dad, but Alicia cooks way better than you do.”

“Jeez thanks Shaea.” he rolled his eyes. I laughed and then took a drink of my orange juice and sighed.

“Don’t plan on doing anything today Shae, you need to stay in bed.” my dad warned.

“What would I do? Tom’s gone and everyone else is probably with him.” I whined.

“We’ll get Bob to amuse you.” my dad said as Bob passed by my door, he back tracked his steps and looked in my room.

“Drummer boy do wha?” he asked, raising an eyebrow at us.

“No thanks dad, I’ll just sleep in.” I sighed and scooted under the blankets more. They all nodded and walked out except for Alicia.

“I saw that.” she said, a small smile tugging on her lips. I scooted up and stared at her with a raised eyebrow.

“Saw what?”

“The way your expression faltered when you said Tom was gone. Spill young lady!”

“I ugh wait...what?”

“What happened between you two last night? He looked suspicious when he left.”

“We…kinda made out.” I said.

“No sex?”

“What? No! ” I rolled my eyes and stuck my tongue out laughing.

“At least we don’t have to worry about that.” she laughed. Normally you’d think this would be awkward to be talking like this with my aunt or me getting yelled at but she wasn’t like that, she was more laid back than Frankie!

“Yea…but Alicia! He’s going to be gone for a month!” I whined and threw my face in the pillow and screamed.

“You know, normal girls would take forever to move on after a break up. Let alone trust guys, especially after uh, oh I don’t know, being beaten by them?!” she said combing her fingers through my hair.

“Yea…well I AM my dad’s child.” I said.

“Touché.” she laughed.

“I don’t know what to do, I mean I really like him but-” my phone started to buzz and blast The Latest Plague. I looked at it on the table on the opposite side of the room and asked Alicia to get it for me, after she handed it to me I looked over at the text which, speaking of the devil, was from Tom.

Hey….

Thanks for saying Bye

I’m sorry. I wanted to but you looked so at ease I just couldn’t.

Still, you could have told me ahead of time.

I wanted to….but couldn’t. Im sorry, we’ll be back soon. Atleast Kaehla is still there. You can bug her.

Tom..last night when we..when we kissed….did you mean what you said?

Of course, liebe. But ill you wait for me?

I'll try...