Page 26 of Make Me Scream
Blood seeps between my fingers. Not enough to drip down but in a disgusting ooze mixed with plasma. I watch it with rapt attention as it makes its way between the cracks of pressure, my reddened, blistered skin bursting alongside it.
My thighs are a massacre by the time I’m finally able to stand. Holding the frills of my skirt around my waist, I unlatch the door and waddle to the sink, avoiding my eyes in the mirror I pass on the way.
There are only some things I can handle right now, and seeing my mother’s face staring back at me is not fucking one of them.
I yank handfuls of paper towels from the holder and wet them in the sink. “Shit,” I yelp when the cold water hits the fresh wounds, but it’s also disheartening to wipe the blood and plasma away.
The smiley face’s looking back at me are quite disgusting and disfigured, and they happen to be my favorite ones yet.
How painfully fucking ironic.
I don’t waste time trying to do a good enough job—just enough so I don’t look more of a freak than I already do. When a quick glance down tells me I can’t see blood, I toss the used paper towels in the trash, readjust my spanks with a deep breath becausefuck my balls ache,and drop my skirt. I’m ready to go cheer like nothing’s wrong in my life and all I care about is some stupid fucking basketball game.
“About time,” Sierra hisses when I saddle up beside them and drop my bag against the wall with all the rest.
“Alas, here I am.” I throw my arms out, causing my top to rise up my abdomen. The sensation has my eyes searching for Peris, but he’s somewhere amongst the masses of purple-clad players squeaking their way across the gymnasium floor.
“So, who are we playing tonight?”
“The Nevada Cubs,” Lorelai says, smacking her glossy lips. I arch a brow as I follow the pattern of stretches everyone else is doing.
“Abel, you need to get a pair of white shoes. Does anyone have shoes Abel can borrow?” Ms. B frowns right at me. I return it with a sly grin, feigning innocence.
A bunch of murmuredno’sandsorry’sfollow, and her frown deepens. “Fine, I guess it’ll have to do. But please, let’s get it figured out, okay?”
“Yes, ma’am.” I nod with a big, bright smile, which she returns, her dark curly hair bouncing as she laughs.
“All right, let’s go through a few practice cheers before we start. Let’s get lined up!”
I never let my fake smile drop, even when I see my own face looking back at me through the crowd with eyes so similar, yet much, much darker.
CHAPTER 11
PERIS
Ever since Isaw Abel’s face pale considerably, I fuckingknew.
And then, I saw her.
She showed up here, of all places, not more than three rows behind Mom, her eyes never straying from Abel—so mine never fucking left hers.
And that was when the buzzer sounded, and I knew we lost the game against one of the shittiest teams of this season.
“Peris, whatthefuckis wrong with you!” Gabe runs up to me, but I barely hear him over the ringing in my ears.
“I gotta go,” I mutter, shoving my way past him and the rest of the team that has gathered around me. Everyone groans and mutters, and I wince, knowing I’m letting them down, but Ican’tright now.
I can’t. Not when she’s here trying to fuck everything up.
It’s not your time yet, bitch.
Ma’s already making her way down the bleachers, face pinched. Iknowthat look. “What the fuck is she doing here?” I grit through my locked jaw. Her arms are crossed so tightly over her chest, I’m surprised she can even breathe.
“I don’t know. I didn’t think she could even be here, but Bill didn’t answer when I called. I’m hoping he gets my voicemail soon because I’mpissed,” she hisses, eyes darting behind her, to who I know is making her way down the steps.
“I’m going to get Abel before she thinks she can,” I rush to tell Ma, already making my way toward him. “See you at home?”
“Yeah, baby.” She nods, her lips in a tight smile.
