You leave

You stand up abruptly from the couch, the movie still playing on the screen. Caitlyn looks at you with a mixture of surprise and concern.

"I feel tired all of a sudden. I think I'll head to bed. Goodnight, Caitlyn. Goodnight, Mom." You say, your voice strained.

Caitlyn frowns at your sudden departure, but she doesn't push the issue. You're sure you catch a hint of disappointment in her eyes, but you can't be sure. You head upstairs to your room, your heart pounding in your chest. As you close the door behind you, you lean against it, taking a deep breath.

You close the bedroom door behind you, leaning against it as you take a deep breath. Your heart is still pounding in your chest, your mind racing with thoughts and emotions. You feel like you're on the edge of something, a precipice that you can't quite see the bottom of. The familiar scent of your room washes over you, a mix of laundry detergent and the faint hint of your stepmother's perfume from earlier. It's comforting, but it doesn't do much to soothe the turmoil in your mind.

You keep thinking about Caitlyn's bra and thong as you change into your pajamas, a pair of soft cotton shorts and a loose t-shirt. The thought of her lacy underwear brushes against your mind, unbidden. You can almost feel the silky fabric against your skin, the way the straps might feel as they slide over your shoulders. You shake your head, trying to dispel the images, but they linger, teasing at the edges of your mind.

You climb into bed, the soft comforter enveloping your body. The room is dark, the only light filtering in from the hallway. You close your eyes, trying to sleep, but your mind is racing. You hear the soft footsteps of your mother and Caitlyn on the stairs, the wood creaking under their weight. The door to your parent's bedroom opens and closes, the sound muffled by the thick carpet. A few moments later, the bathroom door opens and then closes again.

You lie in your bed, the soft comforter pulled up to your chin. The room is dark, the only light filtering in from the hallway. You can hear the faint sound of the shower starting up, the spray of water against tile echoing through the house. You feel a sense of relief wash over you, the tension in your body easing slightly.

You hear the soft click of the bathroom door opening, then closing again. A few moments later, the floorboards in the hallway creak, and you hear the soft pad of Caitlyn's bare feet on the carpeted stairs. You listen to her descend the steps, the sound of her footsteps fading as she heads towards the guest room. You lay there in the dark, the sound of the shower still running in the background. The house is quiet, the only sounds the drip of the faucet and the distant hum of the refrigerator.

After a few more minutes, the shower shuts off. A few moments later, you hear the soft click of your mother's bedroom door opening, and then closing again.