Young Writers Society

Theo

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" I asked angrily as I took the bottle of alcohol from Kat's hand. A crease formed in between her eyebrows as she swung at me.

"Give it back!" She yelled. I moved so her punches missed me.

"Your fucking ankle is broken." I snapped back. She hobbled after me, from the kitchen to the living room. "You need to grow the fuck up and stop turning to alcohol. That's what alcoholics do, Kat. They solve their problems with liquor."

"I'M NOT AN ALCOHOLIC!" She screamed, picking up a box of tissues and hurling it over the counter at me. "Don't lecture me, Theo. It's not like you don't drink too."

"I drink mostly on the weekend, to have fun." I corrected her. "I don't drink to avoid everything that's wrong in my life. I get it, you're pissed about this whole fucking wedding situation, but so am I. You need to stop and go to bed or-"

"STOP IT!" She screeched. Her eyes were wild, scared, and furious all at the same time. "DON'T YOU DARE TELL ME WHAT TO DO!" She limped over to me and started hitting me as hard as she could. "You're such a fucking asshole!" She cried, punching me between words. I caught her wrists and she tried to yank them out of my grasp. I threw them to the side then walked over to the liquor cabinet and poured each bottle down the sink. "THEO!" She hobbled over but by the time she reached me all the alcohol was gone. I stared at her for a moment then walked into the bathroom.

I turned the faucet on and the cold water pooled in my hands. I splashed it on my face and stared at my reflection as the water dribbled down my face. I heard the slam of a door and I knew Kat had stormed into the bedroom. I dried my face and cautiously walked into the room. She was facing the dresser, her back towards me. She was in her bra and pajama shorts rummaging through the drawers for something. She froze when she heard me come in. I walked up behind her and swept her hair off her shoulder.

"You know, alcohol can't solve your problems but sex can." I grinned and kissed behind her ear.

"Sex just complicates things." She whispered still looking straight ahead.

"I don't think there's anything we can do at this point to further complicate things," I murmured. Goosebumps appeared where my lips grazed her skin.

"You know, the cameras are watching us." She said quietly, leaning her neck.

I kissed behind her ear and she turned around knotting her fingers through my hair. Our lips moved roughly against each other, fighting for dominance. "Let's give them a show." I smirked.

Kat

He forced me against the wall and I smirked. I jumped up and wrapped my legs around his waist. He carried me over to the bed and threw me down. One of the few things I liked about Theo was that he never held back. He never treated me like a fragile little girl that was so delicate she would break. I was not one of those girl, I hated being treated like that.

--

I woke up and it felt early. I look over at the alarm clock an saw that it was three. No wonder I was so tired. I laid my head back down and discovered that I was laying on Theo's bare chest, his arms protectively wrapped around my body.

My eye kids got heavy and I gave into the exhaustion. Before I could fall back asleep, my foot was weirdly positioned, so it was my natural inclination to move it. When I did, a sharp pain went op my leg. I grunt and bite my lip.

In the process of doing this, Theo woke up. "What the fuck?" He asks, his voice husky from sleep.

"Sorry, I hurt my foot." I whisper.

He sighs. "Are you okay?" He asks, oddly sounding like he cared. He was probably just delusional.

"Yes, I'm fine. Sorry, I do not mean to wake you." I say.

He pulls me close to him. "It's fine. Just shut up and sleep." He says

I sighed, too tired to argue. I laid my head back on his chest and curled into him.

I fell asleep, feeling great because of the sex and protected wrapped in his arms.

Theo

When I woke up Kat was already out of bed. The light streamed through the window and I squinted, slowly working myself up towards get up. I finally pulled on some pants and a shirt then stumbled out to the kitchen. Kat and two members of the service were sitting at the table. When I walked in their heads snapped up.

"What's going on?" I asked groggily.

"Wedding details." Answered one of the members. She held up a giant folder and motioned for me to join them at the table. "Do you have a preference between a plaid tie or a stripped tie?"

"No plaid." Kat snapped.

"Neither." I said. "They sound hideous. I don't plan on wearing a tie."

"It's standard wedding attire." The girl shot back. Her sleek blonde hair was pulled back into a tight ponytail.

I crossed my arms over my chest. "No tie."

"Put him down for stripes." She murmured to the guy with a bald spot. He furiously scribbled something down on a pad of paper. "Studies show stripes tend to make lasting impressions."

"I don't need stripes to make an impression." I sighed.

"We're well aware, Mr. King." Blondie said coldly. She turned to Kat who was squirming in her seat. Just like me, she wanted to leave. "What style dress are you thinking of? Obviously, the service will have the final say on all of this but we like to incorporate the bride's wishes when it comes to the dress." She smiled.

"Tight and see through." I interjected. "You should incorporate some of the grooms wishes as well." Blondie shot me a nasty look and Kat smirked.

"I don't want to wear a dress." She said simply.

"I'm afraid that's not an option." Blondie raised her eyebrows. The mousy guy sitting next to her looked frightfully between her and Kat. "A bride wears a dress. It's standard procedure."

"Fine." She huffed.

Kat

I knew I could not punch her in the face, but God knows I wanted to. She drove me nuts. If I said short, she said long. It was a battle of opposites. She wanted white, I wanted black. This was not going any where. "No bride will ever where a short, black corset wedding dress!" She demands. "It is simply not tradition."

"I am not a fan of tradition. It does not suit me. Plus I look horrible in white. I look like a misfit angel." I say, bouncing my leg up and down.

"Not, our problem." She says.

I let out a long sigh, trying to remain calm. "Okay, make it an off white dress that is short in the front and long in the back. Then have an extremely tight top. The problem is solved!" I say.

"We will see what we can do." She said, rolling her eyes while writing. "Now let's move on to food."

I tried not to groan. "I don't really care. I am allergic to seafood, so anything but that." I say.

"I don't really care either." Theo says. I knew he did not want to be here just like me.

"Okay, perfect. Well, we will choose you venue based on the data preferences collected over the last few years." The man says. "We will see you this Wednesday at 9:00 A.M. A car will pick you up and bring you to your location. The ceremony will start at 3:00 P.M."

"Wait, Wednesday! That's tomorrow." I say a little to loudly.

"Yes, very good." The blonde snaps. "That is all we will be leaving." With that, they get up and leave.

I lay my head down. "Damn it!" I say, my head in my arms.

Theo

I groaned and walked into the bedroom. I slipped my hand under the mattress and pulled out the lighter and box of cigarettes I'd been hiding. I took one out and set it in between my teeth, carefully placing the box back where I had it. I cupped my hand around the end and lit it. I slid into the bathroom and turned on the fan. I inhaled the thick smoke, smiling when it hit my lungs. I blew the smoke back out and the overhead fan took care of it. I flicked the end by tapping it with my finger and some ash fell into the sink.

"Theo?" Kat knocked on the door. "Hurry up, I want to shower."

"Go away." I snapped, my voice raspy from the cigarette.

She opened the door and her angry eyes drifted from me to the cigarette in my hand. "Where the hell did you get that?" She demanded, trying to snatch it from me. I moved my hand out of her reach and shrugged.

"I know a guy."

"How long have you had those?" She weakly punched my side. "Is that your only one? Why didn't you offer me some? What the fuck, Theo?" I said nothing but held it back to my lips and blew the smoke in her face. She stumbled back, coughing and flicked me off. "You're such a fucking dick, I can't believe you hid those from me!"

I rolled my eyes in annoyance and tossed the bud into the sink. I ran the faucet to douse the ashes. "Do you realize how hard it is to get a full pack of cigarettes? Especially with the service breathing down my back." She let out an exasperated cry and hit me again before storming out. I followed her into the bedroom and caught her wrist. "Are you seriously this pissed over cigarettes?"

She furiously yanked her arm from my grip. "Yes, Theo. I am. I can't believe you hid them from me."

I watched her carefully and took a step closer to her. She kept her arms at her sides, balled up in fists. She eyed me but didn't move. I smirked and took off my shirt. "Are you still mad at me?" I whispered, huskily.

"God, you disgust me." She spat and pushed me back.

Kat

"Oh, come on. You know I turn you on." He say, moving closer.

"Right now, your getting on my fucking nerves." I say, walking out of the bed room into the bathroom. I turn the fan on to get rid of the disgusting smell.

"I don't understand why you are so mad, you clearly don't like the smell." He says

I roll my eyes. "It is not about that. I did not want one, I honestly hate them. It is the fact that you hid it from me. It is the fact that you are an inconsiderate bastard and I have to spend the rest of my fucking life with you." I yell.

"Oh shut the hell up. It is not like I am going to have a pleasant live either. You are not exactly a joy all the time." He says.

I get closer to him, in his face. "I wonder why, Theo. It's not like I live with a loving person that actually gives a shit about me. I live with an ass-hole that could care less if I got murdered in my sleep. I live with a rude idiot that never fails to find a way to get me so angry, then complains when I do. You enjoy making me angry and upset and I have had it." I say. "Everything is not always my fault, Theo."

I was so angry about everything. I was disappointed and upset. "Kat, I'm..." He began but I held my head up, cutting him short.

"No, Theo. I don't care what you are going to say. I'm done. I am going to sleep the rest of the night, so I can try to pretend that I can about you. Because right now, things are not looking so great."

I walked into the bedroom and laid down. I got as far as I could on the end of the bed so I would not have to even touch him. I curled up so my face was not showing. I bit my lip as silent tears fell down my cheeks. That one little thing set of a bomb and I had no idea what the future had in store.

--

The next morning was dreadful. We had to wake up early and go to the place where we were going to get married. Theo and I had to sit close to each other in the car. To other people it might look like we were in love, but we could feel the tension. He put an arm around me in the car, making it look like he cared. He was cold to the touch though.

We arrived in a building and we found out the our wedding was going to be on the beach, then the reception was going to be in a closed building so we could dance and eat. Theo and I were separated so we could get dressed. The pulled me into hair and make-up. All they did was put a little more make-up on than I usually do and make my curls perfect. Then I saw the dress.

Honestly I fought back tears. It was not that it was ugly, it was beautiful. It just broke my heart that I could not choose to wear it, that I was forced. I wanted to be a bride, what girl didn't, I just wanted it to be my choice.

I put it on and felt really sexy. Even though it was white, and I hated it. I did not feel like a misfit. I felt like I was not only person in the world that could wear this dress. It was almost time to start and my father met me. I have not seen him in forever and I hugged him so tight. It was nice to feel loved.

My heart was pounding, it was time to put on a show. I linked arms with my dad and waited for the cue to walk on the beach to be married to Theo.

Theo

I didn't see Kat the whole day. The blonde bitch from the service fussed over me then ushered me out to the altar. It took all my strength not to clench my fists. I stood in front of the small crowd. I quickly scanned the guests and wasn't surprised my parents were a no show. My dad's been on house arrest since the incident and it's not like he would want to see me anyways. I did feel a twinge of disappointment that Mom didn't show, but I shook it off. It's not like this is real anyways. It's all a big show for the service to prove our match was a success.

The music played and everyone stood up. I watched Kat and her dad walk down the beach and even though I was still pissed the hell off, I had to admit she looked beautiful. She kept her gaze forward but not at me. She was somewhere else in a daze, just waiting for it to be over. I reached up and messed with the bow tie around my neck as she approached. I watched her eyes as she slowly came back down to earth and met mine. Her dad kissed her cheek and she joined me at the altar. I took her hands and she took mine.

Blondie stood with us, reminding everyone they were gathered here to witness the union of two people. She talked some more then handed us rings. I slid one on Kat's finger and she slid one on mine. We repeated the vows, empty and meaningless.

"Till death do us part." I echoed. I studied Kat's facial expressions as she repeated the vows. Tears swam in her eyes but I was the only one on the beach who knew they weren't because she was overjoyed. The kiss was staged, but so was everything else. It was short, probably too short for the service's liking.

When the ceremony ended we were escorted inside to a decorated ballroom. Glass chandeliers hung from the ceiling and lights were strung around the room. Elegant but not over done. I lead Kat to the middle of the dance floor and light music flooded the room. We both tensed up at each other's touch and for the second time tonight our facade was cracking.

I could feel Blondie's intense stare so I pulled Kat tighter against me and put my mouth next to her ear. "They aren't buying it."

"No fucking shit." She hissed back. "She probably-"

"Shut up." I whispered harshly. Unlike my words, my hands gently drifted to the small of her back. She opened her mouth to say something back but I pressed my lips to hers. She slowly relaxed and kissed me softly back. Her fingers knotted into my hair and the music danced around us. Something about this kiss was different than any of our other ones. It wasn't aggressive and filled with need, it was the exact opposite. I almost believed it myself. I could've continued swaying in circles kissing her like that for hours.

The song ended too soon and so did the kiss. In the back of my mind a voice screamed at me, reminding me it was all for show. I didn't really love her and she didn't really love me. We're bad for each other, toxic even. However, another part of me reminded me that none of the matches have failed and that kiss wasn't toxic.

Kat

I let the part of me come out I so desperately wanted to hide. I let the side that cared for him come out. It was not a side that was visible all the time. When he is a dick, it slowly withers away. He is a dick often, so this caring side is rarely show. Acting was clearly getting us no where, so I just let it all out in the kiss. I kissed him gently, like I wanted to be loved by him. If I was honest with my self, I did want to be loved. Just sex could not meet all my needs, I needed to be loved.

I know he doesn't care for me in that want, I did not know if I did either. When the song ended, I was really upset. I wanted to kiss him like that longer. Everyone clapped for us and headed to their seats for dinner. Theo and I just stared at each other for a moment, not sure how to respond to each other. Neither of us had a clue because of how powerful that kiss was. He took my hand and lead me to our chairs. His grip was secure and protective.

--
After we at dinner and had our wedding cake, people began to get drunk and a little to wild. All I had was a glass of champagne, so I was definitely on the sober side. Trying to enjoy myself, I looked at tonight as a party and not my wedding. Some man on Theo's side of the family wanted to dance with me. I could not really say no. Theo was no where to be found. Last time I say him, he was awkwardly dancing with my mom.

His uncle lead me onto the dance floor and held me a little to close for comfort. "So do you love my nephew?" He asked, drunkenly.

"Of course I do." I lie, trying to cover it up.

"You don't sound too sure." He says in a whisper.

An uncomfortable shudder ran down my spine. "I am sure." I said stubbornly.

His hand was hot on my back and inching lower and lower. "Well if you get tired of him, I can tell you where to find me."

I look around, finding Theo. He meets my eyes and I can tell he sees the panic in them. He rushes over, thankfully. "Is there a problem here, Uncle?" He asks, putting a firm grip on his shoulder.

"No I am just getting to know your wife." He winks.

"You need to back the fuck off." Theo demanded, but not trying to make a scene.

The weight from Theo's hand was too much for his Uncle. He stumbled backwards, putting me with him. Somehow, Theo caught me before I face planted into the ground.

People were staring at us and Theo cleared his throat. "Just a drunk." He said simply.

People shrugged, the service took his uncle away. They sent him home so he could not cause more trouble. Theo pulled me to him and we swayed back and forth. I laid my head on his chest. No, no, no. I pray to God I am not falling for Theo King.

Theo

As the night went on the guests slowly trickled out the door until Kat and I were left with the service officials. Blondie walked over to us and smiled.

"That was a beautiful ceremony." She said. "Congratulations on your match."

"Thank you." Kat murmured, her fingers still laced with mine.

"Kaitlin, you will be coming with me." She held out her hand and Kat glanced at me hesitantly before taking it. "You will change and meet back up with Theodore at the honeymoon suite." She waved over the other balding official and he scurried over. "Theodore, Eugene will take you straight to the suite."

"Wait-" Kat interjected but Blondie cut her off.

"Don't fuss, you'll see him soon." She pulled Kat out of the ballroom. "Time to get you out of that dress."

"U-uh c-come with me." He stuttered and I rolled my eyes but followed him out to a sleek black car. The honeymoon suite wasn't far from the wedding venue. He lead me up the elevator and handed me two keys to the room. "Y-you and your m-match will stay h-here for a week." I glared at him and he scuttled off. I sighed and unlocked the room. It wasn't much bigger than our apartment. There was a large fire blazing in a stone fireplace in the living room and it was dimly lit. I walked around, the bathroom had a huge Jacuzzi type bath tub and the bed was much larger. I eagerly took off the tuxedo and threw it into a corner. I slipped my ring of and set it on the dresser.The drawers were filled with a weeks worth of our clothes so I grabbed a pair of my old sweat pants and put them on along with a random shirt. I heard the door open and Kat walked in.

"Hi." She breathed.

I sat up on the bed and swallowed hard. She was wearing a large t-shirt with small pajama shorts. Her hair was damp and fell past her shoulders in slightly knotted waves. All the makeup was washed off and in my opinion she looked more beautiful standing in the doorway like that than she did in her dress.

"Hi." I whispered. She walked over to me and stood in front of me. I looked up at her and took a lock of her wet hair.

"Where's your ring?" She asked softly, noticing it wasn't on my finger.

I cleared my throat and pointed to the dresser. "We don't have to wear them all the time."

"Yeah." She carefully pulled hers off and walked over to the dresser to put it next to mine. "I guess we don't."

I got up off the bed and joined her at the dresser. She watched me in the mirror as I got closer. "Are you still mad at me?"

"I don't know how I feel about anything right now." She dropped my gaze in the mirror and looked back down at the rings abandoned on the dresser. I could tell she was thinking hard about something. She whipped around and studied my face for a moment. "Kiss me." She said so quietly I wasn't sure I heard her correctly.

"Okay." I said equally as quiet. I brought my finger under her chin and tipped her face up towards mine. I could feel her hot breath against mine as she looked down at my lips before they met. I kissed her like I did during our first dance, like I loved her. And for the first time I felt something different for her. Something I haven't felt since Ellie died.

Kat

The next day was awkward. I knew that if I put my heart on the line, he was going to break it. It was good, that I did not put everything out there. I put a fake face on, acting like nothing happened.

I made some toast and walked out on the balcony. The beach was beautiful. I have always loved it by the water, it was calming. Theo came out there and stood far away from me. "We are going out today?" He said.

"Why?" I asked.

"Because I need to get out of the house. I need to get out for a while and we are on a honeymoon, so we have to be together." He said.

I nodded and walked back into the house. "Okay." I said, sighing. He we go, the dick has reentered the building. I brushed through my wavy hair and went to get dressed. I changed into leggings and a loose burgundy shirt, lined with leather. I put my leather boots on and came out of the room.

Theo was waiting at the door. "took you long enough." He moaned.

"Shut the fuck up." I say.

We walked out of the hotel and into town. After our honeymoon, the service would move us into another home. It would be dependent on tests taken a long time ago. They would match us into a particular place in the city that fit our preferences. It would be a house or an apartment, dependent on both of our preferences. I honestly dreamed for a house on the because, but I really did not know what was going to happen.

The town was buzzing with people, which was odd. It was not the weekend, everybody is usually working. "What's going on?" I mumbled.

Before Theo could answer, a service member spoke into a microphone. "We are gathered today to enforce discipline. When there is a crime committed, we will enforce the law publicly." I tried to zone out. I hated these things. I never watched. When it happed to Theo, I did not watch either, I have a low pain tolerance. When my brother's name was announced, my heart dropped.

"No, no!" I screamed. I began to lunge towards the stage. It was too late, they started whipping him. I screamed louder as the tears streamed down my cheeks. Theo caught hold of me.

"Kat, STOP!" He yelled, his hands digging into me.

"DONT HURT HIM!" I cried. I struggled to get out of his grasp, fighting every second.

Theo

Mark's name and crime was broadcast over the city and Kat went sheet white. She dove into the crowd, fighting her way to the front.

"KAT!" I yelled after her, knowing what she was going to do. "Kaitlin!" I shoved my way through the people and caught up with her. Mark was on the large stage, chained to the floor. His back was bare and towards the audience. The official held the whip over his head and with a loud crack it cut into his back.

"No, no!" Kat screamed and sprinted faster towards the stage. She let out a bloodcurdling scream and tears streaked her face. I reached out and grabbed her arm, yanking her back into the crowd.

"Kat, STOP!" I said through gritted teeth. I wrapped my arms tightly around her waist, lifting her off the ground and back into the audience.

"DONT HURT HIM!" She screeched, flailing her arms and legs trying to escape.

I clamped my hand over her mouth and she erupted into sobs. "Don't do this, Kat." I hissed into her ear. "He wouldn't want you getting hurt either. It's going to be okay, he'll be okay."

Her cries were muffled but she kept fighting me. Two officials noticed us and my blood ran cold. Before I could do anything they already handcuffed us and lead us up to the stage. We were chained to the floor and the backs of our shirts were ripped open. Kat thrashed and screamed, Mark barely even lifted his head. His back was bloodied and gashed and I knew ours were going to look like that in a moment too.

The leather whip came down hard, splitting open our skin. Kat let out an anguished cry and I stifled a groan. After a few more lashes Kat's screams turned silent, her tears dripped onto the wooden stage. My whole back felt like it was on fire but I didn't give them the satisfaction of knowing that. I bit back everything, only letting out a small hiss every once in a while. Mark was finished with his twenty five lashes, a little over half of what I had gotten after leaving the city. He must not have succeeded in his plan. They unchained him and dragged him away. Kat looked up pained but no longer had the strength in her to do anything.

We were unchained after fifteen lashes, I counted. The swarm of people left and the officials unchained us. Kat fell limp to the ground and despite my back yelling out in protest, I scooped her up. Her tears ran dry but her cheeks were still stained with lines. I bit down hard on my lip, trying to ignore the white hot pain shooting through my back. Slowly but surely I carried her back to the suite. I gently laid her on the bed, making sure her back was facing the ceiling then collapsed next to her, surrendering to the black spots taking over my vision.

I came to before Kat and it took everything in me to get up and move, but I did. I bit back down on my lip until I tasted blood and grabbed a needle and thread from the bathroom along with ice packs from the freezer. Excruciatingly I made my way back to the bedroom. I threaded the needle then carefully sewed the major gashes in Kat's back. The rest weren't as deep so I didn't stitch them. She was still out cold when I finished and placed the ice on her back. I sprawled out next to her and twirled a lock of her hair between my fingers to keep me from blacking out again.

"Mark..." She mumbled, her eyes fluttering open.

"He'll be okay." I whispered, tracing her lips with my finger. "He's on house arrest right now but he'll be okay." She shifted and cried out, tears filling her eyes again. One slid down the bridge of her nose and I wiped it away. "You're going to be okay too."

"What about you?" She murmured, fighting to keep her eyes open.

"I'll be alright." I chuckled, the action sending more pain rippling through my back. I put my hand on top of hers and laced my fingers in between hers. "I stitched your back so your scars won't be so bad."

"I don't care about those." She mumbled, closing her eyes.

"I know." I whispered back. I closed my eyes too but that didn't block out any of the pain. "We're going to be okay."

"It hurts." She said weakly, another tear escaped and I squeezed her hand.

"I know." I ran my thumb over her knuckles. "Go back to sleep. We're going to be okay.

Kat

"No, I need to stich up your back first." I told him, trying to sit up. The pain was unreal, I could not imagine what Theo went through last time.

He squeezes my hand. "No, just go back to sleep."

"Accept the help, Theo." I got up and cleaned the needled he used on me. Once it was sanitary, I thread it and walked back over. My back was is so much pain, it felt like flames were all over my back. I sat on the bed and looked at his back. The sight made me want to cry more. "Theo I am so sorry, this is all my fault. I should have listened to you. I am so, so sorry." I was unable to walk above a whisper.

"Shh." He said, trying to calm my. "It is fine, it is over now." He said.

I stitched all his huge gashes, leaving all the smaller ones open. I kissed his shoulder, where there was not marks. I kissed him so gently I was gently I was not even sure he felt it.

I laid back down on the cool bed gently and so did he. "Thank you." He said.

I nodded and closed my eyes, unable to look at him. I had gotten him hurt and I felt so horrible. He took my hand again and held it tight. "Stop Kat, go back to sleep." He said, as if he read my thoughts.

I laid my head on his hand and took a deep breath. With his other hand, he brushed the tears off my face. He had a caring touch and I needed it right now. I started to think the only reason he cared right now was because he was fighting sleep. Sleep does weird things to people.

I pushed the thought out of my head and just allowed myself to be cared for. "Go to sleep, Kat." He whispered.

"You first." I whispered back. My eyes were so heavy I could not open them. I heard Theo say something, but sleep was taking over and I could not make out want he said. I gave into exhaustion and feel back asleep.

Theo

Kat and I spent the majority of our honeymoon writhing in pain from the flogging. I seemed to be getting better faster than her, which in the back of my mind kinda worried me. It's been ten days since the incident and we still have four days left on our honeymoon.

My wounds were sealed but fresh purple scars ran across my back. Even though she tried to hide it, I knew Kat's were worse.

She was staring into the mirror on the dresser and I walked up behind her. "Let me see." I said softly, my fingers sliding under the hem of her shirt.

"Theo, I'm fine." She sighed, sweeping her hair to the side.

"Then show me." I murmured. When she said nothing I carefully lifted the back of her shirt. Her stitches were infected, greenish liquid was oozing from them and her cuts were a bright red, too red to be healing properly. I lightly touched her skin and she hissed. "Kat, this is not fine."

She turned around and her shirt fell back down over her wounds. "I need to get ready to see Mark."

"Mark can wait." I said sternly. "We're going to the hospital."

"No, we're not." She snapped. "I'll be fine. We can put disinfectant on it later. Right now, I need to see my brother."

"I think you should go alone." I grabbed her ring off the dresser. "You two need to talk without me."

"Are you sure?" She asked, holding out her hand. "If I get caught without you.."

"Then don't get caught." I smirked and slid the ring on her finger.

"Easier said than done." She sighed and looked up at me, her face an inch from mine. Everything inside me wanted to press my lips to hers like before, but I knew that was dangerous. I will not love Kat. To love her, I'd have to be vulnerable. To love her, she might get hurt, I might get hurt.

"You don't have a choice." I growled and pulled away from her. "Go." She rolled her eyes and shook her head while heading out the door.

Kat

"I hate it when you act like this." I say before slamming the door. The rapid motion of my arm made my back hurt. I forced myself to keep walking though. I walked the side walks, keeping my head held low. I ignore all the members of the service, which was difficult. Honestly, I just wanted Theo to be here.

When I got to my old home, I knocked on the door. It felt weird to knock on the door to my house. My mom opened it and stared at me. "What are you doing here Kaitlin and where is Theo?" She asked.

"I need to talk to Mark." I said. "Now."

She sighs and opens the door for me to come in. Mark was laying on the couch and I walked over to him. "What the hell man?"

"Kat, calm down." He said, struggling to get up.

"No, I will not calm down." I say. "I am so pissed off at you for doing this."

"I wanted to help you." He said. "I thought I was doing you a favor helping you get away from him."

I groan. "Why is it is so fucking hard to believe that I might actually love him?" I scream with out thing. Shit. What did I just say?

"You love him?" He asks disgusted.

I started to get chills. "I- I could." I mumbled.

"Well, he is never going to love you, ever." Mark yelled.

My heart beat quickened. "Mark, stop."

"He won't! He is a selfish, dick who only cares about himself."

It felt like all the air was forced out of my lungs and the room was spinning. I knew something is wrong. My head felt light and I thought I was going to be sick. I dropped to the ground in horrible pain. "Kat, what's wrong?" He rushes over.

"Call Theo." I said. "I am sick and I need him."

"I will take you." he said.

"NO! IT HAS TO BE THEO. HE HAS TO BE WITH ME." I yelled. I felt like I was about to pass out. Mark jerked the phone out of my pocket. I cried out, in so much pain. My head smashed against the floor and I fell down. My body was taking over. "Theo, hurry." I mumble, before passing out.

Theo

My phone rang on the counter and I lazily walked over to pick it up.

"Theo, hurry." Kat moaned.

"Kat?" I said, worried. "Kat?"

"Theo?" This voice wasn't her. It was too deep to be hers. "It's Mark."

"What's wrong with Kat?" I asked, snatching my wedding band off the dresser. I put it on and kept the phone up to my ear with my shoulder.

"I-I don't know." He stuttered. "She needs help. She needs you."

"Don't touch her." I growled. "I'll be right there." I hung up and bolted out of the suite. It didn't take me long to get to her old house. I ran in, practically pushing her mom out of my way.

"She's here." Mark was leaning over Kat who was passed out on the ground.

"Move!" I shoved him out of the way and picked her up, being careful not to touch her back. "Give me your keys."

"What keys?"

"To your car, dipshit." I spat. "GIVE ME YOUR GODDAMN KEYS!"

"Uh, here." He grabbed them off the counter and handed them to me. I quickly placed Kat in the car and sped well over the speed limit to the hospital. "Kat?" I reached over and grabbed her limp hand as I pulled into a parking spot. "Kat, can you hear me?" I turned the car off and brought my hand to her forehead. Her skin was burning hot. I scooped her up again and rushed into the hospital. "Help! Someone, please. Help me." I called as soon as I walked in.

A nurse offered me a wheel chair but I shook my head. "I need a doctor not a fucking wheel chair." I hissed.

"Bring her in here." The nurse waved me over to a vacant room. "Put her on the bed." I did as instructed but didn't let go of her hand. "Can you explain what happened?"

"I don't know. When I got there she was passed out." I swallowed hard and ran my thumb over Kat's blazing skin. "The lashes on her back are infected, I told her we should've come here earlier. If she wasn't so damn stubborn-"

"Relax." The nurse took out a needle attached to a tube and eased it in Kat's left hand. "I've called the doctor and he'll be in here soon."

"I need him now." I seethed, standing up. "Something is clearly wrong with her and she needs a doctor right now."

"He'll be here soon, Sir." She took Kat's vitals and scribbled on a sheet of paper before leaving. I groaned and held Kat's hand again.

"Theo?" She mumbled, shifting her head towards me.

"Shh." I whispered. "It's going to be okay."

"I feel like shit." She moaned. I gave her a small smile and squeezed her hand. I opened my mouth to say something back but she had already passed out again. The nurse walked in with the doctor and I immediately stood up.

"Fix her." I said, my voice cracking. "Please."

The doctor gently flipped Kat on her back and cut open her shirt. The wounds looked even worse than earlier. Thin streaks now ran along the gashes.

"It appears she has blood poisoning." The doctor concluded. "I suspect it's from these wounds."

"No shit it's from the wounds." I cried. "Can you give her medicine?"

"Yes, but I'm going to have to take her back into surgery to remove the infected stitches." He said. The nurse nodded and began to wheel Kat away.

"Wait!" I tried to follow them but the doctor stopped me.

"You'll have to stay here." He cleared his throat. "No one is allowed back into the operating room." He looked me over and added, "She'll be okay, son. She's in good hands."

I didn't reply and he nodded at me then left. I felt as if my whole world was collapsing around me. I stumbled over to the chair next to where Kat's bed was and sat down, my head in my hands. I kept repeating the doctor's words, that she'd be okay but I couldn't stop worrying that something might go wrong. In the back of my mind I knew that it was my fault. If I had been more careful with my feelings, if I hadn't have let myself see her as more than just a roommate then maybe I wouldn't feel like a part of me is dying too.