Novel & Cerita Bleach Never Meant To Belong

⁠ I⁠ tied a‍ rag around‍ my face like a mask. I po​ured b‍l⁠each on t⁠he floor.⁠ I​ poured bleach‌ on the walls. The s​mell was overp‍ower⁠ing, ch‍emica‍l and sha‍rp‌.​ It burned my‌ e⁠yes, but I lov‍e‍d‌ it. It smelle‌d⁠ like purity. ‍I scrubbed the c‍oncrete⁠ on my h‍ands an⁠d‌ knee​s.⁠ I scrubbed the toilet‌. I s⁠crubbed the s‍ink.

Peach took a step closer to me, her basket swinging low by her side, but her free hand lifted, shoving hard against my shoulder. It wasn’t enough to knock me over, but it was enough to make me stumble back a step, enough to make the cart thud against my leg. Enough to remind me that I didn’t belong here, and that I was never allowed to forget who I was. “Sorry doesn’t cut it, Blake,” Peach sneered, her teeth flashing. “You and your whole damn family are a stain on this town, but somehow, you think apologizing would help us in a way.”

“He… he never tried to use it against me.” Mom nodded like she already knew that answer. “Then why do you think he kept it?” I hesitated. I had asked myself that same question over and over, but I was too angry, too betrayed, to really dig into the answer. She gave me a knowing look. “Sweetheart, people don’t hold on to something for years unless it means something to them.” I swallowed, my throat tight. “But he never told me.” She sighed. “Because he was scared.”

"I’ll make sure you never forget." I grabbed the kitchen shears I’d swiped from the drawer. I hacked at the dark hair, watching the long, silky strands fall into the sink like dead things. Then, I grabbed the box of "Golden Honey" bleach I’d seen hidden in the back of the linen closet—the stuff Mom said we were too young for. I didn't care about being young. I didn't care about being pretty. I mixed the chemicals, the smell burning the back of my throat. I slathered it onto my head, my hands shaking with a fury that felt like fire.

Leaving with a ghostly expression and wondering just what the hell had happened! Blaire Osmond, aka Riftan’s long-term bed warmer, was that nice? Oh hell no! I refused to be fooled by the friendly act. Blaire hated me. And I knew that she was part of the whole get rid of Eden campaign. After cementing my resolutions, I dragged my ass out of the bed and jumped into the bathroom. I was surprised to see a loofa - shower gel and normal shampoo. And here I was under the impression that they bathed with blood, and used human skin as face cloths.