Under My Skin

Aide

Connor had hung around outside. He wasn't quite ready to leave me alone.

The minute he heard the pleas for help, he rushed back in, eyes widening upon the scene

"Hey! What the hell happened!?" He scurried to help me back up

"I.. I fell.."

"Yeah, it looks like it.. oh boy, that's rough. Okay, you strike me as somebody with a first aid kit, where do you keep it?"

"One under the sink, one in.. in the bathroom downstairs and in t-the upstairs bathroom.."

"..Figures."

He put his arm around me, hustling me over to the couch

"Just stay still, alright?"

"Alright.."

"Good.. I'll only be a second."

I counted the seconds until he returned. I could feel blood trickling down my face, driving me crazy, not being able to wipe it away.

"Connor..!" I called back out, unable to wait any longer for the feeling to go away

"I'll be right there!"

"Please hurry!!"

Connor came back with the first aid kit, popping it open and sitting himself down on the coffee table.
He tore open a packet of antiseptic wipes, gently wiping my forehead with one. It stung at the source of the bleed, making me stifle a whimper

"I'm sorry" Connor apologized, applying more pressure to the cut

"It's fine.." I muttered through gritted teeth

With one hand he held the towelette in place, using the other to wipe the blood.
He lifted the antiseptic to take a glance, inhaling quickly through his teeth before he put it back

"Oh boy... looks like you took quite the spill.."

"I tripped.."

"Yeah, I can tell.. the bleeding's slowing a bit, and it doesn't look like you'll need stitches, so that's good.. you gotta be careful, Man, you could have really hurt yourself.."

I felt a slight tingle in my chest. As guilty as it made me feel, it felt nice to know he cared.

"...I'm sorry I yelled, I don't know what got into me"

"Hey, that's okay.. you've been through a lot today.. just try to take it easy, okay? I'll be here all day, up until six.. then Adelaide's gonna come and help you out, okay?"

"...what's happening at six?"

"I uh.. I have a date, actually" Connor smiled

My stomach tightened and twisted

"A date...?"

"Yeah.. My old boyfriend from high school.."

"Oh.... um.... have fun." I forced a smile, suddenly feeling nauseous

"Thanks.. he's taking me to dinner.. honestly, I didn't think I'd ever want to go out with him again, but man, once he showed up.. he knows me like the back of his hand, he knows how to get me to say yes" Connor chuckled, placing a twice-folded square of gauze over my forehead 

"...he sounds great."

"Yeah.. I dunno, he hasn't always been the best .. but I think he's changed a lot.. we were together all through high school, up until last year.. I don't know, I think it's just going to be very casual, but I'm excited."

"Why did you break up?"

"Uh... it doesn't matter. He's different now."

Of course, he's got a date. Of course, it's someone else. He's found somebody, somebody much better than me. Somebody who can take him to dinner. And touch him.
I was stupid to ever think I had a chance. I can't even go outside, how am I supposed to take him out to dinner?
He deserves nice dinners out, he deserves luxurious dates and affection. I'm just sad that I can't be the one to give him that.