Chapter 5

The sound of running water in the shower suddenly stopped. I came out wrapped in a towel. My roommate pointed at the phone on the desk:

"Lucy, your boyfriend called a few times. I told him you were in the shower."

"Thanks," I said softly.

Her eyes landed on my arm and she gasped again:

"How did you fall? It looks pretty bad. I have some bruise ointment, come here and let me help you apply it."

I bit my lip to keep from crying out as she rubbed the ointment on the bruises.

I typed out a reply to Sean.

[I'm done with my shower.]

He immediately sent back a sticker.

[Kiss.jpg]

[Want to play some games tonight, sweetie?]

I thought for a moment, then replied:

[Not tonight.]

[Today I...]

[What happened today?]

I hesitated, then continued typing.

[I saw someone cut in line today, so I pushed them. They said they were going to get someone to teach me a lesson.]

The "typing" bubble on his end popped up and disappeared a few times. Finally, he sent a voice message.

I didn't play it. I just replied:

[It's fine, they didn't come after me.]

[How dare they cut in line and still act self-righteous?] Sean asked.

More voice messages from him kept popping up, the red dots indicating I hadn't listened to them.

But my eyes were fixed on that one text reply. I couldn't help but laugh.

"What's so funny?" my roommate asked curiously.

Wiping away tears of laughter from the corners of my eyes, I said, "Just saw a funny joke."

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