More Molly

“Molly?”

I didn’t move, body too heavy with depression to socialize, so I hoped gabe (and violet) would think I’m sleeping and just carry on with their day.

I should’ve known better — these are the two most persistent people I know.

“Bro she’s just faking sleep, you gotta talk to her.”

Gabe grumbled, not keen on being bossed around by violet, but knew she was right. So he stepped into my bedroom, then sat down beside me, putting a hand on my back. He was more worried about me than normal. I wanted to show him im fine, but didn’t have the energy.

“Just tired,” I muttered, but my body tensed up at the half-truth, and gabe noticed it immediately.

“Tired from what?” Gabe asked, half-stern, half-concerned. I felt him brushing the hair off my face so I could no longer use it as a shield. Had to keep my eyes closed so he couldn’t read my mind.

“Being awake.”

There was an awkward silence and I wondered where violet went, but didn’t dare open my eyes to check.

“I need you to be honest with me.” I wanted to compliment him on his assertive I-statement, but he continued. “I can see you’re not okay, despite your text messages insinuating otherwise. Why won’t you let us help you?”

“I don’t need any help.”

He sighed. “Next time you say that, I’m going to spank you, no questions asked.”

The challenge got my heart pumping and for whatever reason, I opened my eyes in a glare and said, “I. Don’t. Need. Any. Help.”

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw violet was leaning in the doorway observing (way too quietly for her usual hyperactive self… was she super worried too?), and seeing my attitude towards gabe made her eyebrows jump, then she covered her face so I wouldn’t notice her giggle. She hadn’t expected that which made me feel kinda good to show her I can be (kinda) a badass too.

Of course that thought was short lived as gabe maneuvered me over his lap, tugging down my pjs and landing a flurry of mild swats to my backside. Actually the pain was much welcome… a nice catharsis to resolve some of the pent up guilt about work. It felt like I deserved a real and severe punishment, maybe some verbal abuse. But gabe didn’t even say anything as he spanked, and didn’t spank hard. He just held me in position, determined to not let me up until I’d let out my emotions and accepted his help.