Sunset sat on the bed, facing the bathroom door, lost in her thoughts.
The bathroom door opened, and she looked up to see Wallflower wrapped in a bath towel.
“Hey,” Sunset said, softly.
“Hey,” Wallflower replied, “Sunset, I—”
Sunset raised her hand. “I know you really didn't mean it.” She sighed. “You're right. I may never understand. Unlike Applejack, I don't have the memories to rely on, or the extended family to help fill in the details.
“There's just me. And those I chose to make my family.”
Wallflower remained silent.
“Just as there are things I may not understand. There are things that you don't either.”
“Maybe," Wallflower teetered, "we can try to make each other understand.”
Sunset smiled slightly. “Yeah,” she said, “I'd like that.” She arose from the bed. “Now, if you're done in there, I need to use the bathroom.” She kissed Wallflower as she passed. “I love how you smell after a shower.”
Wallflower blushed as she moved into the bedroom. The cuteness of the girl made Sunset smile.
“The casserole is still in the oven, if you're hungry.”
Sunset shut the door and locked it. She opened the bottom right-hand drawer of the vanity and rolled up her sleeve.
The cut on her arm was still raw and tender. But, now Sunset had the tools to make it better.
She pulled out the antiseptic and some rolled bandages. She suppressed a scream as the antiseptic did its work. Her wound thoroughly cleaned, Sunset unrolled part of the bandage and wrapped it around her forearm.
It didn't look tidy, but Sunset figured she wouldn't be wearing it for long. The problem now was coming up with a cover story for anyone who would ask.
Sunset cleaned up her mess and packed the items back into the drawer.
Something struck her odd about it, and she couldn't quite put her finger on it. But, something caught her attention and made her start to dig through the drawer.
At the very back, she found two boxes that begged her for investigation. She pulled them out and examined them. They were two boxes of replacement razors—one old, one new. Opening, she saw that one had used razors the other unused. Neither was full.
Sunset found it odd that they should be so hidden. Furthermore, who could possibly need that many razors?
An uneasy feeling began to settle in her gut. With dread, she dove into the trash can. Very quickly, she found that which she feared—crumpled tissues soaked with fresh blood.
Sunset's heart sank.
Wallflower, why?
Suddenly, the pieces began to fall into place. The little things started to make sense.
Why Wallflower was almost always wearing long sleeves. Why she never wore just a swimsuit.
Why she was unwilling to take their relationship all the way.
Sunset had gone along with it, thinking Wallflower was just modest. Thinking she wanted to save some things for marriage.
She didn't think Wallflower was trying to hide something. That she had been mutilating herself this whole time and no one noticed.
A guilt fell over Sunset. Maybe the others didn't notice. But, she was Wallflower's girlfriend. She should have noticed.
Sunset repacked the drawer and, after an actual use of the bathroom, returned to the kitchen. She stopped short when she met Wallflower with a smile and two small plates of food.
“Best not to go to bed on an empty stomach,” Wallflower said.
Sunset smiled slightly, though her heart ached for her girlfriend. “I suppose I'll get the drinks.”
---
Sunset laid in bed, staring up at the ceiling.
Wallflower had long fallen asleep, nestled happily on Sunset's shoulder.
Now, Sunset was alone with the dark, the silence, and her thoughts.
“You know you can talk to me,” she had said, “You can tell me anything.”
Words she had spoken so often now sounded so disingenuous. She looked at her bandaged forearm.
"Hypocrite," she cursed.
She should have opened a dialogue with Wallflower. At least let her know that she knew.
Maybe then something could be done. Maybe they could see about getting her help.
But, how could Sunset begin to talk to Wallflower if she, herself, was afraid and unwilling come clean?
She should have spearheaded the conversation. Let Wallflower know the feelings she had been feeling. The thoughts that had plagued her mind. The action she had given in to.
Yet, she knew it was best to let Wallflower do things in her own time.
Sunset just prayed that when the time came, it wouldn't be too late.