Chapter 4 Much needed TLC
When I woke up, I was surprised it was dark outside the window. At first, I wasn't sure what woke me up. I sat up in the bed, disoriented, when someone knocked on the door again. I glanced at the clock on the night table. It said it wasn't even six yet. I wasn't used to it being dark so early. I glanced over as the door opened slowly, and a head popped in.
"Hey. Sorry to wake you. Mom told me to come and wake you to tell you to get dressed for dinner. We're going over to a friend of ours." Seth said in a voice stuck between his adult and kid voice. I couldn't help but smile at his uncomfortable expression as he kept his eyes to the floor, even though I fell asleep in what I was wearing before.
"That's okay. Um…" I looked down at my t-shirt and jeans. "I don't have any other clothes." I said in an apologetic voice. He looked up in surprise.
"What did you sleep in?"
I smiled. "A long t-shirt."
"You wore that every day?"
"I did wash it every night. And when I got to work, I changed into my uniform." I sighed, climbing out from under the covers and stretching.
"Oh….kay… I'll see if Leah will lend you something." He sounded uncomfortable again, and left, closing the door behind him . I decided I liked him. He seemed like a nice boy, maybe a little younger than me. But, I grew up fast.
I was lost in my thoughts, jumping when the door opened again. The girl that sashayed in wouldn't even look at me. When she finally turned her glare to look at me, her face twisted in disgust, and I flinched at her hostility. She came closer and lifter a lock of hair in a quick, jerky movement, and I flinched back instinctively, squeezing my eyes shut.
"What did you do to her?" Seth's voice came from the open door.
"Nothing. I touched her hair." Her voice was hard, but I caught the worried undercurrent. I opened my eyes and dropped them to the floor.
Seth came over and sat on the bed next to me. "Are you okay?"
I nodded, trying to calm my racing heart. I looked away from him, and murmured "Sorry." We sat in silence for a few minutes before Leah sighed. I risked a glance up to see her face gentle.
"Lets get you cleaned up. Go take a shower and I'll cut your hair." She said in a softer voice, and they showed me, unnecessarily to the bathroom.
The warm water felt heavenly against my sore muscles and aching skin. I shuddered, leaning heavily against the tile side and letting the sensation sooth me.
When I finished, I slipped into the fresh clothes that were on the sink. I looked down at the tight fitting, dark, skinny jeans and a revealing tank top. It may have actually looked good with my thin, curvy body if my skin wasn't covered in ugly, black and purple bruises.
I opened the door a second later and walked back into my room, where Seth and Leah were talking quietly. They both glanced over at me, and frowned at the same time. I dropped my eyes. Leah stood up, taking my hand gently and leading me back to the bathroom. She disappeared through the doorway to return with a chair. She spread a garbage bag under the chair, and sat me in it firmly, warning me not to move.
She snipped and snipped and I watched helplessly as my waist long, straight, blue-black hair floated to the floor. After quite a few snips, she stood me up, helping me brush myself off, and positioned me in front of the mirror. I stared at myself in awe. I looked…different. My hair was still long, but she had cut fashionable layers that started about ear level. She even cut side bangs long enough to tuck behind my ear. She chuckled as I gawked at my reflection.
Stunned, I turned towards her. "Thank you!" I gasped, forgetting my submissive self. She smiled, or almost did, before turning me around and marching me out of the room. She gestured to the flip flops waiting outside my doorway, and I happily slipped my feet into them.
We met Seth downstairs, where he was flipping channels impatiently. He glanced up when we walked in, and his mouth fell open. I blushed slightly, dropping my gaze.
When they said that Sara told them to wake me up and take me to their friend for dinner, I thought Sara would be there. But she wasn't. They told me after we pulled up in front of the small house that she went to take care of something at the bank and wouldn't be back till later. We were going to have dinner at their friend's house.
When we walked into the kitchen, I hesitated at the sight of so many people in one small room. I wasn't claustrophobic, but I wasn't used to being around people. It's been a LONG time since I've been social and gone out with friends. Those were the days before I met Him. The days I had been somewhat normal, thinking I had a whole future and no one can bring me down. I was an idiot.
I dropped my gaze as every eye in the small kitchen turned towards me. The room went totally silence, and was only broken when Seth introduced me to the group. By the way they seemed to nod, they have already heard. But in a Native American reservation as small as this, I imagine things get around fast.
A growl rumbled through the room, and I looked up to one of the half naked boys sitting towards the middle of the table. He had the same tan skin as the others, and was broad in the shoulders, muscular, and tall. They all seemed taller and more muscular than usual boys.
The rumble seemed to come from somewhere in his chest as his handsome face twisted with rage. I took a step back involuntarily, and Seth stepped in front of me as Leah took my hand and led me back outside. Confused, I stumbled along after her.
