Medicine
Betty blinked. With everyone gone she noticed Alice's absence for the first time since emerging from the shower. A flicker of concern crossed her face.
-Where's Alice?
She went back towards the bathroom, heedless of her nudity.
Alice jumped at the sound of Betty's voice, shrink-wrapping herself tighter. Her hair hung in dank ropes. Waterlogged mascara stained her gaunt cheeks. She looked up from the tub at her twin with bloodshot eyes.
-Go away, Bets, Alice rasped.
Betty ignored the plea. She stepped into the tub and knelt beside her sister, placing a gentle hand on Alice's trembling knee.
-Alice, darling, what's troubling you so? Talk to me, please.
Alice shrank back violently from Betty's touch.
Betty's brow furrowed in gentle concern. She brushed a wet lock of hair from her sister's face.
-Shhh, it's alright Alice. Whatever troubles you, we'll face it together, just like always. Please, tell me what's hurting you so deeply.
Betty stood up and opened the medicine cabinet. She grabbed the bottle of pills she had placed there earlier.
-You've got to get back on these sis, Betty said, opening the bottle.
Alice recoiled. She shrank back until she hit the cold tile wall, staring at the medication as if it were poison. A choked laugh bubbled up from her throat.
-Oh, you want me to take my happy pills? Alice spat. My magic bullets that numb the pain, that turn me into the compliant little zombie?
-To make you feel like I feel, Betty said with a smile, squeezing Alice's hands. To feel the whole range of emotions, not just bitterness.
Alice yanked her hands away. Her breathing came fast and shallow.
-Feel like you feel? Like a fucking braindead bimbo drunk on cock and romance?
She let out a harsh bark of laughter.
-Newsflash, Bets, your feelings are a fucking joke compared to the shitstorm raging in here!
-Yeah Alice, that's what the pills are for, Betty said, choking back the hurt.
Alice lunged forward. She knocked the pill bottle roughly from Betty's hand. The plastic container clattered loudly against the ceramic tiles, spinning to a halt in the middle of the floor. Alice rose on unsteady feet, towering over her sister.
Betty reached out, grabbing one of the loose pills from the wet floor.
-Look at what you're doing sis. This isn't you. Take the pill, please.
Alice backhanded the offered pill viciously out of Betty's hand. Her eyes flashed with rage.
-Listen up, you naive little slut, Alice snarled. Those chemicals aren't going to fix jack shit.
Betty stood up. She slapped Alice sharply across the cheek.
-Don't call me a slut! Betty yelled. Snap out of it!
Alice stumbled back, more shocked than injured. Then her expression crumpled. She collapsed to her knees with a wail, burying her face in her hands.
-Why?! Why couldn't you just leave it alone?! Alice sobbed.
-Because I care about you, Betty said.
Betty knelt down on the floor, gathering the distraught Alice into her arms. She rocked her sister gently, stroking her hair as sobs wracked Alice's slight frame.
As Alice finally calmed down, Betty helped her up. She guided her gently to the bedroom, grabbing the bottle of pills inconspicuously along the way.
Alice walked on rubbery legs, utterly drained. She sank down onto the edge of the rumpled bed like a puppet with cut strings. As soon as she sat, however, she spotted the hated pill bottle nestled in Betty's palm.
-You don't have to take them now, Betty said softly. But don't say no. Sleep on it. For me sis?
Alice glowered at the pills, her jaw clenched tight. After a long, tense moment, she snatched the bottle angrily from Betty's hand.
-Fine, she gritted out through clenched teeth. I'll think about it. But don't expect me to miraculously become Little Miss Sunshine just because he fucked our brains out!
-Thanks sis, Betty smiled.
She hugged Alice and brought her leg up on the bed to nestle next to her. She rested her head gently on Alice's shoulder, wrapping an arm possessively around her waist.
-We don't have to be sunshine, Alice. Storm clouds make the rainbows brighter when they pass.
Alice huffed. She opened the bottle, took a pill, and dry swallowed it, grimacing as it caught briefly in her throat. She shoved the bottle aside and turned to stare blankly at the far wall.
-There. Happy now? I took your goddamn pill.
-The important thing is you're gonna be happy sis, Betty said, patting Alice's hand.
Alice scoffed derisively.
-Happy? What the fuck is happiness supposed to feel like anymore, huh? I forgot somewhere along the way.
Betty sighed softly. She leaned in to press a tender kiss to Alice's forehead.
-Happiness is feeling loved, Alice. Feeling cherished and safe. Isn't that what you've been seeking, even if you won't admit it?
She traced gentle circles on Alice's back.
-It's okay to lean on others sometimes. Even you need support once in a while. And it's not a weakness, but a sign of strength to accept help when you need it.
Exhausted from the relentless mood swings and the trauma of the morning, Alice's eyes started to fluttered shut. She fell asleep against Betty's chest.
Betty smiled softly as Alice's breathing evened out. Her body went slack. Betty carefully adjusted them both to lay back on the pillows without disturbing her sister's rest. Gathering Alice close, Betty gazed down at her beloved sister.