Maybe he was just as confused as I was. He stood there, leaned against the door of his sister's room scanning the floor.  Veronica cleared her throat and he looked up at her. His eyes were so empty and vast whenever V was around us, I noted. "Step out and give your future wife some privacy, lover boy!" I glared playfully at V while blushing madly, unable to resist. 'Lover boy' swung the door open with a light chuckle, his tone serious as he spoke. "In a way, she's already my wife. Who needs a dumb ring?" He shut the door firmly behind him and I smiled softly, whispering,"Idiot.." My attention was caught by the clothes being thrown at me. "H-Hey! No need to be so rude!" I pouted and picked up a pair of skinny jeans and a pink shirt with a cute poodle on the front. I held back a squeal and hugged the shirt to my chest. "It's so cute! Can I keep it if it fits?" I didn't think she'd mind even if she didn't seem to have too much. Maybe I was too caught in the moment to worry. She gave me a slight glare before smiling cutely, her light blue eyes glimmering in the light. "Sure, but tell me," she started quietly, glancing cautiously at the bedroom door. Was she hiding something..? Just get the clothes so she can have her peace, I thought to myself as I removed my shirt, looking around the room for the bathroom. I absentmindedly tugged at her sweater and lifted the sleeve. I froze in shock and let out a small gasp as Veronica glared at me angrily. "Don't touch me," she growled lowly, her eyes piercing through me like millions of needles. I nodded hesitantly and she sighed. "I-I didn't do it myself..." She traced her hand along the marks on her forearm, tears forming in her eyes. Veronica slowly opened a door, revealing an empty hallway, giving her some relief, I hope. "Head straight down the hall and just don't mind the mess," she smiled sadly and pulled her sleeve down. "Wait!" After seeing those marks, I was speechless, but I was just in time before she locked herself in there. "It's getting late, so can we talk in the morning? Please?" Veronica simply stared in what appeared to be awe with hint of amusement before nodding with a grin. "Sure," V whispered before shutting the door and locking it.
~

I stood in front of the door, their conversation inaudible and my body numb. "Just forget it," I muttered to myself with a slight grin. I made my way to the front door and looked at the pair of shoes on the floor. They were for that small child. I laughed childishly and stepped outside, the cold air hitting me like a warm welcome. I'd grown found of such weather with no problem at all. I pulled out a box of cigarettes before looking above me and seeing a balcony, not belonging to a particular person. I looked inside and smiled before shutting the door, the handle shaking lightly in my grip. Was I shivering from the cold, or from what happened in the hall? I shrugged it off and felt a light breeze blow through my hair. Suddenly, the door of the the apartment next door opened, and an old man stepped out. He was dressed as if he were homeless; a tawdry brown coat with many tears with fingerless gloves. The man was cursing to himself, scratching his beard in anger. He looked over to me, his small eyes even paler than his skin. His eyes weren't on me, actually, but on the box of cigars instead. "Hey kid," he muttered, his voice hoarse and his beady eyes suspicious.
~

I stopped to peek into the living room or any photos, but there was just a couch, cushioned chair, and a lamp. The table looked sturdy, unlike the bookshelf in her bedroom that held a collection of maps and books about animals. "Sweetie?" I looked around in confusion. Maybe he had stepped out for a moment to get some fresh air. I heard laughing through the thin walls and smiled to myself. I was in a bra and a ripped school skirt, slightly embarrassed to have forgotten. I felt a chill down my spine and shivered, probably because of how cold it was. I sighed and went to the bathroom, beginning to change clothes.
As I did so, I realized how ill she had been. The old rags and bloody bandages sent a waves of nausea and dizziness. I couldn't help but look. Thin lines of blood as well as tiny puddles were dried in the tub, or at least someone tried cleaning it up. Before pulling my shirt down over my head with a slight frown, I caught a glimpse of a piece of what appeared to be a bandage sticking out of the cabinet partially. I looked down at my thighs and giggled at the thought of my idiot touching them with his cold hands that found a way to warm me up. I pulled up my jeans and smiled softly, the smell no longer on my mind. Maybe I'll see what's in the cabinet....And so I opened it and let out a small gasp.