Page 134 of Blue Gold

“N-no. I want to go for a jog.” I placed my hand on his chest, noticing it was sticky. Why?

“Stop speaking nonsense. You have a sprained ankle. You must rest,” he said, grabbing my attention back as he began leading us into the room.

“I want to run,” I protested.

“You can’t.”

“I have to.” I shoved him harder when he finally paused, only to stare at me in confusion.

“Why on earth would you want to go out running when you can hardly stand?” he hissed.

I glanced over his shoulder at the bathroom and at the scale left on the floor before turning back to look at him. Daniel noticed it and also looked back, realization sinking in on his face.

My chest turned heavy, and I felt like I’d been caught, so I decided I might as well confess.

“I weigh too much,” I said, voice weak and full of fear.

I thought that now he’d understand and let me go, but instead, he gripped me harder.

“What are you saying?” He stared at me like I was speaking a different language.

“I just want to go on a run,” I muttered, scratching my wrist, which had turned itchy.

“How much do you weigh?”

“It doesn’t matter.”

He tightened his hold.

“Tell me, now.”

Shrugging, I looked anywhere but at him. “I-I don’t know.”

Before I knew it, he pulled me after him into the bathroom.

“W-wait.” I tried resisting by not moving, but instead, he picked me up. “Put me down!”

“Not until we weigh you.”

“Daniel, this is unfair!” I yelled, tears choking my throat.

“I don’t fucking care,” he shouted.

Shocked by his reaction, I pressed my lips shut and stopped fighting him.

Reaching the bathroom, he put me on the floor, his face a mask of seriousness as he crossed his arms and waited behind me. I glanced at him when he nudged his head in the direction of the scale. That damn scale. If only I had put it away, none of this would have happened. Swallowing down my tears, I wiped my nose, then carefully stepped on it, closing my eyes so I wouldn’t see that damn number again.

“Jesus Christ, Elliot,” Daniel gasped, his voice choked like he was on the verge of crying.

I’d never heard him that way, and scared, I slowly opened my eyes and got off the scale.

“C-can I go running now?”

“Running?” He gaped at me, his face pale. I then noticed his clothes were stained with something, which explained the stickiness. “Are you serious? You weigh⁠—”

I flinched as he said the number aloud.

“—for fuck’s sake.” He ran a hand through his hair while shaking his head. “And you’re what, six foot one?”