LRPD - part eleven sneak peek

“Are you good?”

“Yes.” You mutter through a clenched jaw, “I’m perfect. I am great.” You’re fine, you’re fine, this is fine-

Olivia raises her eyebrows. “Okay because you look like shit.”

“Thanks Liv.” You snatch a fry from her plate. They’re a little soggy and under-salted, but better than the pb&j you brought. Grape jelly. You have no idea why Riley likes it so much.

“Still not sleeping?” You shrug. It’s a paltry attempt to play it off, one you know they see through but you can’t talk about it.

Just like you can’t sleep.

It’s been weeks since the horsefly incident, and while Riley has pretty much forgotten all about it sans the hot pink cast on her arm, it’s endlessly lurking in the back of your mind. At night, it plays out again and again on a loop, a real life nightmare you can’t escape from. Molly’s rear. Her scream. The sound of her fall, the thunk of her head against the ground, the blood from the scrapes on her cheek.

It overlaps with your memories, everything crashing together until you’re lying awake and staring at the ceiling for hours before your alarm goes off.

“What’re are we talkin’ about?” Olivia squeaks as Doctor Garrick sits down beside her and slings his arm around her shoulders.

“N-nothing just ah- um… Daisy is-”

“Fine.” You hiss and try to kick her under the table. Doctor Garrick gives you an appraising look before smiling at Olivia.

“How are you, Livs?” She looks like she’s going to die, and Ava looks like that one gif of the grinch’s smile.

“I’m… good yeah, good.” Your alarm buzzes, signaling the end of your hour, and you sigh.

“Alright. I’m out.”

“Maybe you should try to some melatonin.” Ava offers as you stand, and you shake your head.

“Anything you’re going to suggest, I’ve tried.” You snatch another fry from Olivia’s plate and then give them all a shrug. “Okay, see you. And uh, bye? Doctor Garrick.” It’s weird. You’ve barely interacted with him, but he’s over here with his arm around one of your closest friends… and she’s incredibly flustered.

So weird.