I dig through my bag desperately searching for what I know I won't find... I don't have any swimwear that will properly hide any bandaging I can attempt to cover my back with on my own. Even wearing my long-sleeved rash guard shows too much of the shape of my clumsy self-applied bandages.
I sigh pulling off my rash guard and unwinding my mess of bandages, at least my rash guard is black so it shouldn't show any bloodstains. I glance up and catch a glimpse of my bikini clad reflection in the mirror that is tucked in the corner of the room.
I can't help but stare at the white lines crisscrossing my stomach marring my dark olive skin. I allow my eyes to trace every scar once again remembering a younger time when I didn't have to hide or be ashamed. I remember identical green eyes laughing at me as we compared our skin. The scars that now crisscross my body remind me of how bright white her arms used to look against my skin when we used to lay draping our arms across each other laughing about how different we looked.
I shake myself out of my memories pulling my rash guard over my head, hiding my scars, and burying the memories for a while longer. Those memories won't help anyone. Not today. Not tomorrow. Not ever again.
I cringe just a bit from the pain of the rash guard being pulled across my back but ignore it the best I can. I triple check that Kebakaran is still resting around my neck and slip out of my room avoiding looking in the mirror again.
Through the magic flowing through the castle, I can feel the kings' stomping down their stairs. I am very worried about how training is going to go as I hear how slow Mitch is having to 'run' in order to stay on pace with his brothers. The Island must really like these kings because there is no way them clearing the dark side of the island had anything to do with skill.
These boys had such a different upbringing than we did. We had fun sure, but we spent so much of our time training. We started learning how to fight practically as soon as we could walk. We began learning etiquette and proper decorum as ladies as soon as we could sit on our own. Living here, then, we never knew life without responsibility. Brady and Boomer were raised in Chicago by a very well-meaning Aunt and Uncle who had work and lives of their own. The education of those two was entrusted to the American School System so without some form of intrinsic drive to succeed they quickly learned how to circumvent all kinds of learning and growth both mental and physical. I wonder about Boz, Boomer said he was the king of Mindu before it sank so I wonder if he has more kingly knowledge... he pretty obviously didn't have much of a physical education. Although Boz does have some musculature... I just can't quite work out what he would use them for... Also, what's with his weird habit of offering people fruits with his feet?
I am pretty deep in thought and barely register I have walked into the courtyard until Brady calls my name,
"Bella! You saw right? I definitely beat Boomer and Boz into the courtyard! Right." I am about to support him fully by agreeing when I catch him give a subtle shake of his head. I tilt mine ever so slightly in response and see him give a quick glance towards Boz.
"Nope sorry brother dearest but this time Boz has got you beat by a hair." I laugh at his faux glare, "So, are we ready to head to the beach or do we need to wait for you boys to have a rematch?"
Brady walks over and throws is arm around my shoulder which causes my shirt to pull on the half forming scabs I want to scream and shove him off of me but instead I burry the pain and suppress a flinch.
"We're good to go as soon as Mykayla is." Brady responds
"Oooo My-Kay-Lay" I tease.
I catch a glimpse of Mason out of the corner of my eye watching us, although something gives me the impression it might just be me, he's really keeping his eye on, before I can call out to him though Mykayla joins us.
"Mykayla!" I squeal "You look so cute! Ready to hit the beach?"