Skeletons: Chapter 2

After a shopping trip to the mall with some friends, Goten and Trunks went out to ‘The Spot’. It was a secluded little meadow with a fast flowing river. The majority of it was sheltered by the large canopies of the evergreens; there was a spring with a small waterfall flowing into it which was a great place to swim because of the intense heat. The sun beamed down on the banks of the spring and was often used by the boys as a ‘Sleeping spot.’

Trunks barely had the energy to fly so he and Goten had driven halfway, parked the car and walked the rest. When they finally arrived, Trunks collapsed on the bank, threw his arms behind his head and gazed up at the clouds. Goten stripped and dove into the water.

The sun felt good on Trunks’ pale skin. He relished at finally getting to sit down again and had trouble convincing himself not to fall asleep. He hadn’t slept last night, nor the night before that and he had problems eating. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to eat; his body just wasn’t accepting the food. 50% of the time he wasn’t hungry and the other 50% he just couldn’t keep anything but liquids down. It was like his body was just as fucked up as his mind.

He could hear his friend flailing about in the water and diving from the top of the waterfall. But he shut his eyes; it was better to just listen.

Goten came up for air, swam to the bank of the spring and pulled himself onto its fertile soil. A burst of energy dried him of and he padded towards the pile of clothes beside his friend. After he pulled on his boxers, he collapsed on the grass beside him. Trunks opened one eye.

“The water is amazing today.” Goten sighed with a smile on his charming young face. He ran his fingers through his long dark hair and tipped his head back to look up at the sky,

“Do you want to come in for a swim?”

Trunks closed his eye but didn’t reply to his friend.

“You sure?” He gazed down at Trunks.

Goten look at the rolled up arms of Trunks’ shirt. Heavy bandages were covering his forearms. Goten pinched the bridge of his nose and chewed on his bottom lip. He didn’t want to say anything but he hated staying quiet. He still couldn’t understand. Why would Trunks do that to himself? He was an amazing guy, fuck, he used to be Goten’s god! It was so hard for Goten to accept this but he did because that’s what friends do. No. Not just friends, best friends.

Trunks could sense his friend’s eyes upon him, it made him feel uncomfortable from head to toe. He was mentally begging him to lie down. He was afraid that his lack of comfort showed on his face, he wanted Goten to think he was as cool and calm as ever. Cool and calm? He almost laughed at even thinking this. But he didn’t.

“Gohan’s home today.” Declared Goten in a somewhat cheery sing song, “He can’t wait to see us! He must look so different now with all the travelling and what not. I wonder if he grew a goatee; you know how he always wanted to grow one but never had the guts! And if he got his lip pierced; he always wanted his lip pierced.”

Trunks opened his eyes and grinned. Goten looked down at him dumbfounded with his expression, then the reason struck him.

“No. No, no, no. Your Mom and Dad would kill me for letting you do it.” Goten shook his head furiously, “No. Nadda.”

Trunks frowned. Goten was right, even if he hated to admit it. His mother had gone mad when she saw his earrings, his eyebrow and his septum. She told him that he was to get no more. Final!

“Maybe we should head back. In case Gohan gets home early. Mom and Dad still have no idea he is coming home, so I guess he will be going to Bulma’s first.” Goten stood up and pulled on the rest of his garments, “He better have brought me home that tumble weed from the Arizona desert!”

Trunks stretched, pushed himself from the ground and followed his friend through the woods. Goten still talked and Trunks resumed listening. As always.


5th. Nov. Mon.

Not much happened today. Went to the mall with Goten and some friends and then he dragged my ass to our spot. I went into the store today, to pick up a coffee and some gum. This guy at the counter, a guy with spiked red hair and a pierced tongue,, was giving me these sympathetic, weird looks. When I went to pay for my goods he said to me, “Dude, you look like you have a lot on your mind.” That killed me. Goddamn straight I have a lot on my mind. I just don’t know what they are yet.

Goten, as usual, had all the girls swarming around him like bugs today. I swear to god, they just eat the little fellow up. Anything to keep them away from me. The kid was jittery all goddamn day because his brother was coming home. It was awesome to see him high as a kite. He’s awesome when he’s high as a kite.

Gohan left when he was just 16, which was a big thing. His Mom is a complete control freak. He actually should have been 19 at the time, but he was dead for 3 years. Idiot got himself killed. When he came back he was different, I mean his eyes were not his. He wasn’t Gohan, but, to tell you the truth, I like him the way he is now. He’s dark and mysterious. He has problems with his parents. I can understand him having a icepick for his Mom but not his dad. His dad is a fucking prince.

Shit. I better not let dad know that.

Anyway. Gohan used to call my cell when I first stopped talking. He used to try and get me to open my yap, but I just wouldn’t. He got pretty upset about it and actually started crying. Gohan wouldn’t admit he was crying but I knew. Maybe I don’t think about how this affects people around me as often as I should. But I really care, I swear to god I do. It just doesn’t matter though.

The next couple of days will be pretty easy. Mom is heading out of town for a week, Goten is going to be hanging out with his brother and my dad will spend his time in the G.R. I can have some time to myself now. About fucking time.

It’s been three days since I last took a slice out of myself. I have been craving it all day, but couldn’t get away for five minutes. I know Goten saw the bandages today; I felt something uncomfortable in the air. He’s knows I self mutilate, he knows everything and he doesn’t do anything about it. Some would say he doesn’t care, but it’s not true. He doesn’t do anything because he does care.

It’s late. Maybe 1 or 2 in the morning, so I should probably try and get some sleep. I stress the word try. I will most likely fail miserably. At which point I will make coffee, get some water and watch a movie. Or read a book.