We Aren't So Different, You and Me

Bandit dropped her towel next to mine and started down the pool stairs. Her little body shriveled up as she shivered, shrieking once the water hit her bare tummy.

"Cold?" I laughed.
"Just a little bit, yeah." she giggled, reaching for her pool noodle.
I tossed it to her and reclined back in the lounge chair. "Please be careful, B. I don't need your mom worrying any more, okay?"

She dipped under the water, her little arms poking out, supported by her floaties. When she came back up, she wiped her eyes and climbed onto her noodle, paddling the perimeter of the pool. She was more than happy, swimming around for what seemed hours. I would have joined her, don't get me wrong. But I have some issues that I'd really rather not show my little sister.

I tore my shorts off, letting my pasty white legs finally see some sun for the first time this summer. I looked down at my little indentations on my thighs, pinpointing each and every one of them. My fingers traced over the scars and I mentally cursed at myself for letting me ever do that. It was stupid and selfish and to be honest, I wasn't even sure why I did it. I started the first night I got here, during my shower. I've never felt so alone and away from my mom than I did that night and still do, every night when I lay my head down to sleep. I couldn't let Gerard and Linds know that I was unhappy so I tried hiding it as best as I could. It works, too.

"What the fuck is that?" I heard from behind me.

Correction: worked.

"N-nothing," I stammered out, taking my t shirt and covering my thighs with it.
"Taylor Renee, that is not nothing." Gerard actually sounded... pissed. God damn.
"It's... They're old.. From school..." Please, just drop it.
"Don't you dare fucking lie to me, little girl," he growled in my face quietly so B couldn't hear. I'm sure from her perspective it looked like we were just talking about how well behaved she was.
"I don't understand why you're so upset, Gerard. You do it all the time--"
"Did. I did it all the time. I got clean and sober. Clearly something you should do."
"You wanna talk about clean and sober?" I scoffed. "Care to explain all those prescriptions in your medical cabinet?"
"My mental health is none of your concern, little missy."
"Fine! Mine's none of yours then."
"Oh but it is. See, I'm your father so--"
"Father?! I thought we agreed we weren't going to resort to pet names."
"It's not a name; it's a title. And whether you like it or not, I'm your father and you'll listen to whatever I fucking tell you. Now, for the last time, what the fuck are those doing on your body?"
I stood up and threw my towel over my shoulder, slamming my book shut. "For the last time, it's none.. of.. your--" I got real close to his face for the last part. "--fucking business."

I turned towards the patio door when he spoke again.

"Maybe you're the one who needs to be on antidepressants, Taylor."

Notes

Well shiiiiiit.