Michelle sat with her back to the bistro door, her sunkissed neck and lightened hair extenuated by the dim glow of the lights. Carla found herself wavering at the door, second guessing her decision to see her this soon after what happened. It was a risk she didn't knoe she had the strength for.
Just as she was about to turn and retreat to the safety of Roy's, Michelle turned her head expectantly, and her face lit up upon meeting her gaze with Carlas. A small wave, caused Carla to be brought to her senses, slap a almost realistic smile onto her face, and walk towards the table, her movements slow and calculated, like everything else she had done in the past two days. She couldn't risk mistakes, so she couldn't allow herself to be distracted and slip up.
Sitting down ans subconsciously pulling down the sleeves of her top, she greeted Michelle with a real smile. She was happy to see her, she thought. In truth, she was confused, all her emotions had blurred into one tiring stretch of consciousness that was beginning to take its toll mentally on Carla.
"Carla!" Michelle clicked her fingers in front of Carla's wandering eyes, huffing at her friends distance. "I said, where's Nick?". just the mention of his name caused a cold sweat to bead on her forehead, worry settling in the bottom of her churning stomach. Acting as natural as her protesting body would let, she shrugged and spoke as if she didn't care, "dunno, probably of bedding some unlucky sod" she lied. Carla did care where Nick was. She needed to know when he was coming back in order to prepare herself to remain calm as to not draw unnecessary attention.
She didn't need the endless hope that he would get sent down for his actions, when inevitably he would get away Scott free, with a tap on the wrists. She barely coped the first time, finding endless comfort in the crimson liquid she'd learnt to depend on.
Taking a gulp of her wine in front of her, she changed the topic, turning it into Michelle. "anyway, how was Italy, tour tan is gorgeous by the way". They way Michelle's face lit up again at her words tugged painful at her heart.
As the evening went on, Carla found herself slipping into a calmness she only associated with her best friend, letting Michelle distract her from the more pressing matter. Her mind fogged slightly, as Chelle ordered another bottle. Welcoming the release, she didn't complain, relaxing and engaging with the conversation enthusiastically.
It was only half an act at this point she'd say, she really did enjoy talking with Michelle about the small things they both loved.
During one of Michelle's particularly comical stories, of which included various acting out of scenes, ans obscene hand gestures, Carla found herself distracted just enough that when she felt the heat of the bistro, she rolled both her sleeves up to get elbows, eyes not leaving Michelle's face.
Carla didn't realised what she'd done and Michelle stopped her ramblings to reach out to hold Carla's arms gently. Carla was still unaware however with Michelle's worried tone and angry eyes she was made aware, "What have you done?!"
Realising what Michelle was gesturing too, Carla pulled her arms forcefully from the younger brunettes grip, pushing her chair backwards in case of a quick exit, eyes wide. Her sleeves were now down as she attemptes to shake off the dark finger marks etched into her pale skin.
"its nothing Chelle, you don't want to know". Carla cursed her stupidity. She should have known that letting her guard down could only lead to disaster. Michelle now refused to let it go, gently coaxing Carla's arms back onto the table for her to inspect, which Carla allowed, to avoid a scene. "umm i do actually, tell me" Michelle protested, fingers lingering over the marred skin.
Pausing, Carla viewed the pain on her best friends face, broken that she had been the one to cause it. Her brain raced to think of an excuse that Chelle might accept as the truth. She figured she may not take anything properly.
"umm, i got in a fight with someone from school, acting me of all sorts Chelle you should've heard her!" Carla fidgeted in her chair, annoyed at the simplicity of the lie. The uncomfort only grew when Michelle fixed her gaze with Carlas, eyes frantically searching her fill eyes for signs of a lie. Fortunately, there wouldn't be signs of any lies, because Carla couldn't bring herself to care anymore.
Instead of accepting the lie or challenging it, the younger brunettes eyes seemed to floor with even more worry, as she reached up to cup Carla's cheek with her hand, thumb grazing the purple bump below the makeup.
Closing her eyes to mask the wince, nor trusting herself to stay strong with her friends face of worry. She knew it was a bad idea to come.
She knew her instincts would be proved right.
At present, Carla couldn't afford her newest secret to be let out, so she let her chair squeak against the harsh floor of the bistro. Eyes flashing with tears Carla felt herself retreating away from the worry present in Michelles eyes.
She stumbled backwards, out through the door, not waiting for footsteps to inevitably follow.
If Michelle somehow managed to find her tonight, Carla couldn't trust herself not to blurt it out. She disnr have the strength to relive the memory so soon, or at all.
She needs release. She needs escape.
She needs sleep.