Amia
Without Liz I don’t know if I could have made it through high school. She has been there to pick up the pieces more times than I can count. She’s seen what I’ve let her see but she’s never questioned me or demanded to know what happened. I know she would listen to me but I love that she doesn’t try to pry. This morning when I got to school she swooped in like the superwoman bad ass best friend she has always been.
There’s nothing like crossing the quad like you’re on some covert mission. Today Liz managed to make me feel protected and sneaky at the same time. I had about twenty minutes before my first period and I needed her magic bag of makeup. I hadn’t even said why. She met me at the front of the school. It was as if she knew. She didn’t look at me just threw her jacket over me.
Every breath hurt with each inhale of air. She pushed the gym bathroom door open and dragged me along with her. When we got to the benches by the lockers she pushed me down and sat beside me. My shoulders trembled and tears threatened to spill as we sat in silence.
I pulled the jacket from my head and put it on my lap. She didn’t look up at me as she unzipped the makeup bag. Her fingers were firm as she pulled out different containers, tubes, a sponge, and a brush.
“I can do it,” I said.
“Nonsense. You’ve never applied makeup before,” Liz muttered.
“Thanks,” I mumbled.
Her eyes lifted from the bag and swept over my face. There was a flicker of emotion in her eye but I was surprised at how calm she was. She looked back at the bag and picked up a glass container. She brought it to my face and pumped the liquid on my cheeks. A little purple sponge was picked up next and I closed my eyes as she gently patted the liquid. She was silent as she worked on my face.
“I went on that date last night with Dylan,” I whispered.
“I know,” Liz said.
This time her voice was shaky. Liz and I joked around a lot during the day. She talked about boys, dates, and her butt while I shook my head and laughed. Today there were no jokes or attempts to make light of the situation. I wasn’t going to try and make up excuses for what happened. Usually I keep the words to myself but today I couldn’t help it. The words escaped easily. She didn’t say anything else as she squeezed more liquid onto my face.
“He took me to this really nice place in town. I’ve never been somewhere so… well… fancy. The people were as beautiful as the place. I’ve never felt so special in my whole life. We could even see the ocean from where we sat. It was breathtaking. Goddess and the food. I’ve never had food that’s tasted so good before.”
“Everything was going so well. I don’t know how it ended up like that. I mean I know why he was angry but I don’t think what happened warranted him… doing what he did to me,” I said. When she didn’t say anything else. I watched as she brought a small tube right beneath my eyes. “His father was also there having a meeting. Another alpha was in attendance and complimented me. He was quiet the rest of the night and when we left we were told that our bill was covered. I think that’s what made him snap,” I murmured.
“Did you leave him?” Liz asked.
“No,” I whispered.
“Okay. Close your eyes. I might as well complete the whole look,” Liz said.
I did as she said and felt a brush against my eyelashes. I kept my eyes closed as she lifted my chin up. In the next second, liquid spread across my throat. I bit my lip to stop the sudden trembling. Liz cursed under her breath as she worked at covering the bruise from Dylan’s hand.
“One last thing,” she mumbled as she applied lip gloss to my lips. “There. You look cute with makeup,” Liz said. She packed everything up.
“Thanks Liz,” I murmured.
“Here,” she said. She handed me the bag.
“What?”
“It’s yours,” Liz said. “It looks way better on you anyway.”
She got to her feet and grabbed my arm. I stood to my feet and she looped her arm with mine. We stopped at the large mirror near the sinks. I did a double take at my reflection. Not only could you not tell that my face or neck were bruised. I looked good.
“See? You look hot girl,” Liz said.
The first bell rang and we looked at each other. We smiled and then our smile broke out into a laugh. We turned from our reflection and the bench where she patched me up. We rushed out of the gym bathroom and headed toward first period. We stepped into the hall and I couldn’t help but tense up.
“I can’t wait to see what Mr. Obsessed thinks,” Liz said as she wiggled her eyebrows. Fun Liz is back and I feel better knowing what happened earlier is behind us.
“He couldn’t care less. I need you to stop shipping me with Levi. We were friends once upon a time. That’s it. Nothing is going to come of us,” I laughed.
“Once upon a time? Like a fairy tale?” Liz said suggestively.
“No, not like a fairy tale. Like a really long time ago and I have a boyfriend,” I said nervously.
“Your boyfriend can go and kiss a hairy fat toe,” Liz said.
“Ew, Liz. That’s so gross” I said as I made a face.
“A stinky toe and he’s the one that’s gross. Obviously I’m team Levi,” she said.
“Liz…”
“Oh! We made it just in time,” Liz said.
She unhooked her hand with mine and walked into class first. Leaving me standing outside the door. I looked behind me and scanned the hallway. When I was sure that Dylan wasn’t here I walked into first period.