Kitty's eyes slowly fluttered open, taking in the environment around her. She yawned and stretched, lightly bumping the body behind her. Last night wasn't a dream, then. Thank God! Kitty carefully turned around to face a sleeping Marley, who had wrapped herself tightly around Kitty. She had a slight smile on her face, and her chest was rising and falling at a slow pace. Kitty couldn't help but grin at the sight before her; Marley was absolutely beautiful, even when she was sleeping.
Kitty delicately slid out from Marley's grip, and set her feet on the floor. She wanted Marley to get some more sleep, but she also felt like doing something cute for Marley. God, this is so not like me. This girl is giving me all kinds of adjustments. Kitty stood from the bed, gently tucking Marley back in before she tip-toed from the brunette's room. She made her way towards the front of the house, and was tying her shoes when Marley's mother snuck up behind her.
"Good morning, Kitty." Marley's mother said quietly. Kitty squeaked, not having expected her to be up.
"Oh, good morning Mrs. Rose. I was just heading out to pick up some breakfast and coffee for Marley. I would feel better knowing that I could get her to eat.." Kitty trailed off. Marley's mother nodded in understanding.
"Would you like anything?" Kitty offered politely.
"Oh, no thank you. I already fixed my coffee for the morning." Marley's mother smiled kindly at Kitty. "But, thank you for the offer." Kitty smiled in return, and nodded as well. Marley's mother reached forward, causing Kitty to flinch slightly, and close her eyes. She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but her reflexes refused to let anybody touch her face too quickly. Instead of the roughness she was used to from her own mother, she felt Marley's mother delicately caress the spot where her cheek was bruised. She slowly opened her eyes to look at Marley's mother. The caring woman's eyes were filled with concern, and it was all Kitty could do to maintain eye contact, and allow the woman a few moments of comforting.
"You are welcome here any time, Kitty. Marley is awful fond of you, and I'll have to agree with her. Day or night, whats ours is yours." Marley's mother finished, giving the girl a gentle hug. Kitty hugged back tightly, allowing a tear to escape.
"Thank you Mrs. Rose. Marley is lucky to have such a caring parent." Kitty's voice cracked, and suddenly, she didn't mind how long the hug seemed. After several minutes, she released Marley's mother, and left the house. Kitty drove a red convertible, and was fairly appreciative of it at the moment. It would allow consistent transport between her house and Marley's, and she could take Marley wherever she needed to go, since she didn't have a car. Kitty started the car, and headed away from the house.
When she reached Starbucks, a line had already formed behind the drive-thru window. So, she adjusted her mirror, and began fixing her makeup. Wow, that bruise looks awful. Marley's mother is so caring...if only I had been given a mother that looked at me that way. She caressed it slightly, but didn't receive that same feeling of warm love that she felt when Marley's mother had done the same thing. She sighed, and drove her car up to the drive-thru window.
Marley yawned groggily, and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. She ran her fingers over the sheet beside her, but didn't feel a body there. Oh, no. Did I scare Kitty off? She ran in to her living room, and found Kitty's shoes missing.
"Ugh. I am so stupid." Marley said out loud.
"What would make you say that?" her mother entered, a questioning look on her face.
"Kitty and I ki-...ki-ki-ki uhmm we talked? Yea! We talked last night. So, yep anyway. I woke up and she was gone! I don't think I did anything to her to offend her last night. Did? Wait. Said. Said. I don't think I said anything to offend her.." Marley's cheeks burned a bright crimson, making her mother double over in laughter.
"Please, Marley. I wasn't born yesterday, and these walls sure aren't as thick as I'd like. And Kitty went out to get you two love birds some breakfast this morning." her mother smirked deviously, and shot her daughter a wink, patting the top of her head.
"I..." Marley couldn't even formulate a response. Her level of embarrassment seemed to have tripled since Kitty arrived at her house last night, and she was doing nothing to help her cause.
"Easy there, kiddo. Don't give yourself a heart attack." Marley's mother placed a warm hand on her shoulder, giving her a side hug. Marley hugged her back, and focussed on breathing normally, despite the somewhat awkward comment that her mother had left floating in the air.
"I can't believe I thought she left. I jump to conclusions too quickly, don't I?" Marley began.
"Following last night's pattern, I'd agree with that." Kitty added, closing the door behind her, carrying two white bags. Marley spun around and tackled Kitty, almost knocking her to the ground.
"Easy, woman! I'm holding coffee!" Kitty humorously balanced the food and drinks in one hand, and attempted to keep Marley from falling to the ground with the other. Marley's mom chuckled at the sight, and tilted her head adoringly.
"You know, you two make a great couple." Marley's mom said, smiling.
"I see you two have been talking!" said Kitty, looking at Marley inquisitively.
"Oh, no, Marley didn't have to tell me anything. I heard plenty last night." Marley's mom said, shrugging. She felt no embarrassment at the confession, and turned to head back to the kitchen. Marley felt her cheeks burning again, and covered her eyes sheepishly. Kitty felt no shame at the comment either, and joined in with Marley's mother's laughing.
After Marley and Kitty made it back to the bedroom, they deposited the food and beverages on the floor.
"I believe we have a movie to finish!" Kitty said, taking a seat in front of Marley's tube TV.
"Alladin! I completely forgot!" said Marley, smacking her forehead.
"Well, I don't blame you. We were plenty distracted with your...shenanigans" Kitty added, winking at Marley. Marley simply shook her head in disbelief, and joined Kitty on the ground.
"You are pretty much as bad as my mom...you guys have no shame whatsoever." Marley said, astounded.
"Nope!" added Kitty, smirking again. Marley cued the movie, and they both collected their own food. Kitty couldn't help but steal glances at Marley once in a while, trying not to be obvious about it. I hope she at least tries to eat. Marley continued sipping at her coffee, but hadn't touched her croissant.
"How's your croissant?" Kitty asked, trying to sound casual.
"It's...pretty good! Thanks for buying us breakfast, Kitty. This is so sweet, and totally unnecessary, I might add." Kitty sighed.
"Marley, I know you haven't taken a bite of it yet." Kitty stated sadly. Marley didn't reply. Instead, she continued sipping on her coffee. Kitty paused the movie, and turned to face Marley.
"Please, Marley. Please, for the love of God, eat something. You were beautiful before. You didn't need to lose the weight. Right now you are so thin, you look like you are going to snap in two. I didn't want to say anything because I didn't want to upset you, but you need to eat. One way or another, you are going to be putting on weight. Can't you do that for me? Can't you at least try?" Kitty finished, looking to Marley for a response. Marley sighed.
"Kitty, can I say something? Even if I know it might upset you." Marley said, avoiding eye contact with Kitty. Kitty hesitated, but knew that she had to be there for her girlfriend.
"Of course. You know you can tell me anything." Kitty stated unsurely.
"Ever since I started purging, I've looked heavier than when I started. Even now, I can see it. The extra fat folds, the chubby cheeks, the fat around my hips. I don't know what it is. No matter how little I eat and how much I purge, I see an overweight person, heading in the same direction as my mom..." Marley frowned, unable to make eye contact with Kitty. Kitty's mouth hung open in shock, making odd squeaking noises instead of words. Oh my God. I did this to her...this is my fault. I never meant to take it this far. This is a full blown eating disorder...she should have stayed at the hospital. What do I do? The cheerleaders just do this to stay thin...none of us have an actual eating disorder. Dear God, what have I done?
"It's okay, Marley. I'm going to tell you something, whether you believe it or not. You are perfect. What you see in the mirror is just an illusion. What I did to you...seems to have gotten more serious. I am so sorry, Marley. So so sorry. I did this to you, and I will undo it. You need to believe me Marley. I know you didn't have a reason to trust me before, but do you trust me now?" Kitty began to plead.
"I've always trusted you, Kitty" Marley said, finally making eye contact with her girlfriend. Kitty began to sob; she felt so vulnerable, looking at this feeble creature that had trusted her. I took advantage of her trust...this is all my fault. I don't deserve to be dating her.
"Kitty? Please don't cry." Marley didn't cry, but faced Kitty's lips towards her so that she could peck them.
"Look, I promise to try. I will try, for you. Because last night, you said you would do the same for me. We will try for each other, right?" Marley maintained the eye contact, and kept her hand on the side of Kitty's face. Kitty nodded and closed her eyes, loving the feeling of Marley's touch. She felt Marley gently graze the bruise on her cheek with her thumb. She smiled slightly, and let out a breath of relief.
"That doesn't look very good, Kitty. Does it hurt?" Kitty kept her eyes closed, but responded.
"Only a little. But it's okay; that's only like the hundredth time this has happened." Kitty shrugged nonchalantly. Marley shook her head back and forth, trying the grasp the concept of a mother treating her child like that. She reached forward, and placed a feather-light kiss on the center of the bruise, remaining there for several seconds. Kitty's hand fell to Marley's chest, and she focussed only on Marley's heart beat. She couldn't remember the last time she had felt this safe.
"I don't want you going back home, Kitty" Marley muttered into Kitty's cheek.
"I have to.." Kitty whispered. "She'll find me. She always does." Kitty pushed Marley's head away, suddenly feeling overwhelmed. Marley fell back on to her calves, and smiled sadly at her girlfriend, nodding in understanding.
"If anything happens, I want you to come over here. My mother and I will take care of you, no matter what happens. And I don't want to be that crazy stalker girlfriend, but I want you to text me pretty consistently when you're at home. No offense, but I have no reason to trust your mom at this point." Marley began making demands, knowing that it wouldn't make a difference, should Kitty's mother ever lose her temper. Kitty laughed at how protective Marley sounded.
"Anything for you." Kitty stated simply. Marley smiled slightly, but didn't feel as optimistic as she had before. Instead, she began to feel dread. Marley was genuinely afraid for her girlfriend; she didn't know what Kitty's mother was capable of, and she wasn't sure if Kitty would even consider defending herself when left alone. She was afraid to let Kitty go home; she didn't want her to go home. Kitty seemed to sense this, and linked hands with Marley, squeezing gently. Marley squeezed back, but didn't say anything. As if by fate, Kitty's phone went off on the other side of the room. Kitty stood, and plucked it from Marley's bed.
"Kitty? I didn't say you could have a sleepover last night. Where have you been? Come home this instant. There is broken glass and alcohol all over your room. You will be cleaning it up as soon as you get here." Kitty's mother sounded sober, but still infuriated. Kitty shook with anger; her mother was the one who left that mess last night, after physically assaulting her own daughter. But, she knew that any comment made would be in vain, and would only add to the punishment that she would be receiving when she got home.
"Yes, mother. I apologize for the mess. I will be home shortly." Kitty stated formally. Her mother hung up the phone before Kitty finished, and Kitty simply sighed, dropping the phone back on to the bed.
"Marley, I have to go home."
Marley frowned and shook her head, indicating her disapproval.
"I know, I know, but I have no choice. I refuse to drag you into this. Look, I'll be fine. But you need to promise me something. Can you do that?" Marley nodded, urging Kitty to continue.
"I need to you to try to eat the food I brought you. There is no calorie count on it, and I don't want you looking it up. I want you to sit down, and eat it. Or at least try to eat it. Can you do that?" Marley chewed her lip nervously, but nodded again.
"Thank you." Kitty said, trying to keep her voice even. She put on her jacket and shoes, and headed down the hall to the front door. Marley's mom overheard the conversation, and joined them briefly at the entryway.
"Kitty, remember what I said this morning. And watch out for yourself." She added, giving Kitty a quick hug before returning to the kitchen to give the girls their privacy.
"Kitty..." Marley started, letting tears flow down her cheeks.
"Hey. It'll be okay, sweetie. Remember; I'm still the HBIC at Mckinley. Don't forget who you're dating!" Kitty said enthusiastically, trying to get Marley to smile. Marley chuckled slightly, and grabbed Kitty's face with both hands. She leaned in, and passionately kissed her girlfriend. Kitty wrapped her arms around Marley's waist, and felt her stomach do somersaults. The kiss ended too quickly, and Kitty was out the door.
Marley stood in the entryway, unsure of what would happen to her girlfriend. She raced back into her room, and grabbed her phone before joining her mother in the kitchen. I would feel better if I was at least texting her...Marley typed a quick message, and sent it to her girlfriend after changing Kitty's name in her phone.
"Text me when you are home. I want to know that you got home safely 3" - Marley
Kitty chuckled, having just passed the 7/11 by Marley's house. The light was red, so she typed a quick reply.
"I've only been gone for two minutes, silly girl. But I'll let you know ;)" - Kitty
Marley smiled, but knew that their humorous conversation would be short-lived. She frowned, and gripped her phone tightly. Her mother watched her from the other side of the counter, slowly stirring her coffee.
"Good thing phones aren't alive, or you would have smothered yours" her mother stated, laughing lightly. Marley looked up at her mom and relaxed her face, placing her phone on the counter.
"Sorry, mom. I don't know what to do though...Kitty's going back home, and you saw her face. I don't want anything to happen to her." Marley said, rubbing her forehead roughly.
"Kitty's a smart girl, Marley. If it gets too dangerous over there, she will come here. I told her that she is welcome any time, and I am sure she has plenty of reason to be here. But, if you are so worried, I would be happy to alert a counselor at the school, though I'm sure she has her reasons for not having done that already." Marley's mother said with contemplation. Marley sadly shook her head, knowing that Kitty didn't want that. It seemed like an eternity had gone by when her phone finally vibrated. She raced over towards it, and swiped it from the counter.
"Okay, I'm home safely! I promise I'm not that bad of a driver :P" - Kitty
Marley smiled, before responding;
"I trust in your driving abilities. I just feel better having some line of communication with you.." - Marley
Kitty's response came too quickly to have read the previous message:
"I can't text now. I have to go. See you at school." - Kitty
Marley frowned. The text message sounded far to formal. She didn't know what exactly was happening at Kitty's house, but she knew it couldn't be good.