Damaged Goods, A Priceless Return

was late

bsence. My anxiety, a familiar, unwelcome guest, tightened its grip. He was always so particular about punct

ul. My needs, my comfort, my fear of

n Cheri' s lower back. She was practically glued to him, her bright, cloying laughter p

Cheri, however, caught my eye. Her smile was sharp, triump

ognition?-crossed his face. For a split second, I felt a familiar pang of longing, a foolish hope that he m

hen allowed her to steer him away, towards the back of the bus where his friends were already settled. He sat down next to her, a ca

on the rain-streaked window, my

xt from Jermain. Sorry, babe. Cheri was feel

espo

immediately. You okay

e still thought of me as the damaged, dependent girl he had to manage. He

screen. Three taps. Jerma

trembled slightly, but I forced them to stillness. I buried myself in my sketchbook, the rhy

pop-up tents. The organizers announced the first activity: a partn

y sweet smile plastered on her face. "Elia, darling! Ready to team

ay. "No," I rasped, my voice

narrowed, sharp and calculating. "Oh

eated, firm

iends. You'll be all alone out here. Unless you want to spend the whole day by yourself." S

und, unmoving,

reaching out, her fingers

olently, taki

tch," she hissed, her voice barely audible. "You think you're so

ing out a theatrical shriek. Her feet tangled, and she went

was instantly at her side, his face a mask of fra

r at me, tears welling in her

red within me. "No!" I cried, my voice t

cusatory stares pierced me, making my skin crawl. Jermain'

f them sneered. "Why would y

racking, tears stinging my eyes. "

's always been so jealous, Jermain. So poss

ation. My vision blurred. My hands started to shake. I felt

f any warmth or understanding. "Elia," he said, his vo

oice was a desperate plea, lost

," he warned, his tone flat, devoid of e

something I didn't do!" My

he threatened, his voice a dangerous grow

than anything he'd said behind the door. He was

nds spat, glaring at me.

with a mixture of

nded, his voice sharp, cut

ulder. He walked towards me, his eyes fixed on mine, his expression u

heri, whose face was now hidden, her sobs still audible. The

re raised, capturing

ered, his voice a chilling, i