Page 18 of Nodus Tollens
Cringe… I scoffed.
We’ll fucking see.
4
WREN
Ifelt disgusting. Half-dried mud covered my legs and part of my upper half. Even my hair had some speckles of brown scattered through my blonde strands. The second I stepped into my dorm building, I sprinted up the flight stairs and unlocked my room with haste. In a frenzy, I grabbed my shower caddy and towel, and without a second thought, I ran out of my room and sprinted towards the showers. There was nothing more uncomfortable and gross than being covered in a thick substance that was the color of shit. It felt heavy on my skin and clothes, and I couldn’t wait to completely strip and give myself a good scrub. Lord knows I needed it.
Once I entered the communal showers, I thankfully found myself alone, and I was able to remove my crusted over clothes. First went my hat, then pants, underwear, hoodie, and finally my bra. I tossed the clothes onto the ground, not caring where they made it, and finally shuffling under the shower head, I twisted the knob until hot water poured down my head.
God, it felt amazing. My eyes instantly shut as I found myself spinning in a complete circle, letting every inch of my body get coated in water. My palms found my scalp, and I gently kneaded my head and let my fingers drag through my snarled locks. I stood there for a good ten minutes just letting the water lull me into a relaxed state. My breasts felt heavy and began to go numb from the extreme temperature I currently had the water set to. Without soap or a loofah, the heavy stream of the water picked away at the dirt until it all began to pool at my feet and circle into the drain. Relaxation was far and in-between for me, but when I showered, I found that my mind briefly tuned itself out; that in these moments of silence, I could fully loosen and enjoy myself without any intrusive thoughts of fears.
Taking my shower caddy, I pulled out my soaps and began thoroughly scrubbing and rubbing my head and body. Making sure I got every nook and cranny cleaned, I took one last glob of body soap and lathered my skin until every square inch was covered. The smell was peaches and cream, a favorite of mine, and it made my skin silky smooth. Once I knew I was as clean as I could get, I shut off the dwindling hot water and dried myself off with my fluffy blue towel. Bending over, I gave my head a good toweling. I always hated the feeling of a towel on my head; the goosebumps it gave me were unreal. So, as I rushed the process, I quickly kneaded the towel around my hair until I couldn’t take it anymore.
Finally clean.
Finally fresh, I went to reach for my clean set of clothes, but as I did, my fingers caught nothing. My head jerked in the direction where I normally kept my clothes, and on a gasp, I realized that I had completely forgotten them.
How the hell could I have forgotten my clothes?
At first, I felt slightly panicky. Taking the towel, I tightly wrapped it around my body and took a few deep breaths.
Okay, think.
Peering down at the pile of dirty clothes, I vehemently refused the idea of putting them back on.
No way in hell, but wait a second.
Aha! My phone.
Crouching down, I carefully reached for my jeans and flipped them around until I was able to shove my hand into the pocket. First pocket, nothing. Next pocket, nothing again. I froze. Once again, I found myself panicking, but this time, I knew I was utterly screwed. My phone was gone, I had no clothes, and at this point, my options on how to get out of here were slim. Kate wasn’t anywhere near to help me, and without my phone to call her, I only had one choice left. Use one hand to fasten around my flimsy towel and the other to hold all my crap. Then, muster up the right amount of courage to race back to my room while praying to God that no one returns from the rally.
Easy enough, right? Maybe to someone like Kate, who had the body to flaunt and wouldn’t even be slightly unsettled from being caught. But for someone like me, I’d die a hundred deaths. Even now, I was contemplating digging a hole and crawling far inside until I could escape this whole mess. Though my anxiety was ramped, and fear bristled through me, I knew I couldn’t just spend the remainder of the night here. My chances of being caught by someone would only worsen, so once again, I found myself having to overcome another fear. I didn’t think God hated me this much to make me face two of them in the same night, but apparently, he was really testing me today.
“Dammit.” I whispered under my breath and hesitantly grabbed my filthy clothes off the ground. Not even bothering with a mental pep talk this time, I headed straight for the door with my heart in my stomach. My bare feet smacked the tile beneath me, and as I approached the door, I came to an abrupt stop. I couldn’t just swing the door open and throw myself out there without at least checking to see if the coast was clear. It could be over before I even started, and right now, I do not have the mental strength to deal with anyone. So, using my elbow, I softly pressed down on the handle until the sound of a click broke the silent air. So far, there was no sign of anyone, but to double-check, I steadily pushed the door open just enough to peek my head out. The eerily quiet hall was just as empty as it sounded. No one was in sight, and even triple checking to make sure, I glanced both ways. Still nothing, I let a deep exhale fall past my mouth, and with a heavy shove to the door, I took off.
There was nothing graceful about this image either. My hands were in awkward positions, desperately trying to hold all my crap while trying to stay somewhat covered in the process. I looked like a hot mess, and not to mention my attempt at running was laughable, but right now, I couldn’t care less what I looked like. I just wanted to make it back to my room unnoticed. My tired legs then began to climb the stairs to my floor. One after the other, I had to gasp for air with each step until I was finally at the top. I then attempted to make a right turn but smacked hard into what felt like a giant brick wall.
“Ow.” I squealed as my head and chest bounced powerfully off the solid barrier that even my eyes went wonky for a moment. Suddenly, everything was forgotten due to the sudden burst of whiplash that struck me. My hands went up defensively, causing all my belongings to crash onto the floor, including my loosely wrapped towel.
“Shit, you alright?” A deep, honey-laced voice questioned, causing every muscle and limb in my body to go rigid. I couldn’t process what was happening in my head, but as my eyes slowly began to adjust, a broad, very manly chest in front of me was slowly taking shape. My throat went dry when I finally regained my sight. I gasped softly when I realized it was an actual person that I’d hit, and almost immediately, my eyes sought the face. Before I could find the courage to look, a heat so intense began pillowing over me like a fountain. My skin prickled from the potency of it. Even the soft puffs of air we were both emitting became thunderous in the hushed, vacant hallway. Then, when I felt as though I had enough determination to look, I did.
Not only did I find an overly attractive man standing inches from me, but I also found that his icy blue eyes were not on my face but were focused lower. Eyes bulging in half desire and half surprise, he drank me in like you would a fine wine. Clenched jaw and rapid breaths, I almost asked what his issue was like a fool. And then, like a bolt of lightning, it hit me, or more so, like a tidal wave of shock and humiliation. My pride was completely trampled and mangled as I screamed like a wild banshee.
“Turn around!” I shouted hysterically while crouching my naked body down and reaching for my towel. “For the love of God, please turn around!” I all but begged while scrambling to cover my lady bits before I fainted from embarrassment. As if my words suddenly cured him of the trance he was in, the blonde-haired Adonis took a large step back as his entire face and neck turned a bright shade of red.
At least I wasn’t the only one who was mortified.
Spinning quickly on his heel, he gave me his back while his hands worked tediously at his hair.
“Fuck… I’m….I didn’t. I didn’t see anything.” He explained in a panicked tone that had me rushing to wrap the towel around my waist. I don’t think I’ve ever caught anyone in a lie before, but this one truly topped the charts. Everything, and I do mean everything was on display for him. Every nook and cranny was exposed, and if I didn’t know any better, he very eagerly took it all in and didn’t leave a part of me unscathed. “I swear.”
“Just, please, stop talking…” I cried under my breath as I dropped onto the ground with a death grip on my towel and, with the other hand, scurrying to grab all my belongings off the floor.
“Okay, I may have seen a glimpse, but I promise, you have absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about.”
Oh. My. God. Kill me now.
