Thirty-five: familiar pain

Temperance

Nervously, I drop my backpack on the mattress I sleep on and then make my way into the living room.

In desolation, I process his harsh words.

I will be going somewhere else for my school. My current school is too far from here for me to continue attending.

"I have to go somewhere else? I like the school I go to now." I don't like the school per say, I only like the friends I have.

Austin turns towards me, wrapping his fingers around my wrist. I bite my tongue as his fingers press into my cuts.

"S-stop that hurts!" I desperately try to pry his hand off of mine.

I feel a rip in my arms, signaling that my cuts have ripped open. I watch in horror as blood seeps through my sleeves.

My sleeves aren't thick enough to hold the blood, causing the warm liquid to smudge onto Austin's calloused hand.

He lets go of my wrist in disgust and brings his hand with my blood on it to my face. He yanks his hand away from me, studying the liquid on his palm. He glances at me, extending his hand