Chapter 6

Before bed, I filled an entire bathtub with water, wanting to wash myself completely clean.

But when I took off my clothes, the purple bruises from his kisses were still clearly visible on my skin.

Memories of last night came flooding back involuntarily.

The burning heat of the boy's skin as we held each other tightly, the scorching breath in my ear as we moved together - the lingering warmth seemed to still surround me.

I shook my head violently, trying to shake off these wild memories.

I found a loofah and scrubbed my skin over and over again until my whole body was red before I stopped.

Clumsily attempting to erase this most shameful experience of my life.

The result was that I was in so much pain I couldn't sleep well all night.

Jacob didn't send any more messages either.

Breaking the habit we'd had since getting phones of saying goodnight to each other without fail for six years.

This was for the best.

It would have happened sooner or later anyway.

Might as well start detoxing from tonight.

I tossed and turned until nearly dawn before finally falling asleep.

Early the next morning while I was still sound asleep, I suddenly felt someone plant a light kiss on my forehead in my dream.