The Prison Project (by Bethany Donaghy) novel Chapter 38

Margot’s POV

The loud click of the door buzzer jolted me awake like a slap to the face.

My eyes snapped open just in time to see the metal door unlocking itself, the small green light above it flashing in confirmation.

Cara sat bolt upright beside me. “Shit!”

–

“Crap it’s breakfast!” I gasped, already flinging the covers off and launching myself toward the dresser. “We have to get dressed before we miss it!” I shriek, scrambling to free myself of the sheets tangled at my feet.

There was no time to stretch or even think about the fact that we were still in Coban’s bed – still sprawled across it like we now owned the place.

My heart thudded in my chest with urgency as I dug through the drawers, flinging aside a balled–up pair of socks and yesterday’s crumpled vest in search of something clean.

Cara was already hopping into her set from yesterday claiming; “We’ll have to visit my room after breakfast so that I can freshen up!” As I glanced around to find her hair sticking out in about ten different directions…

I peeled off the oversized sleep shirt of Coban’s that I’d borrowed, having gave Cara a pyjama set of mine, before I reached for the folded underwear on the side unit, slipping them on with record speed.

Not fast enough to avoid flashing Cara my ass, but she was the one person alive who had seen it all before anyhow so it didn’t actually matter – I was more conscious about the open door… as I swiftly tugged up my joggers.

“You good?” Cara asked breathlessly, tugging a brush back through her thick curls with a wince as I tossed on another tight white vest – topping it with my grey zip through hoodie this time.

‘Yeah, I can come back for a shower!” I stated.

“Crap, wait!” She suddenly grabbed my arm, her eyes wide with urgency. “The bruise! Your face!”

Shit, I almost forgot about it again!

I cursed under my breath and darted into the tiny bathroom – finding that it had started yellowing a little more today.

I opened the cabinet and rummaged until I found the small concealer compact that I’d been given as part of my “starter kit” on day one.

Honestly, the sooner this damn bruise vanished from existence, the easier my life will be!

“Ok, ok! I’ve got it!” I called back, frantically dabbing and blending until it was passable.

By the time I emerged again, the room looked like a tornado had torn through it – drawers hanging open, socks on the floor, bedsheets tangled and half–hanging off the mattress, clothes everywhere; a fair mix of mine and Coban’s combined.

I groaned loudly, panicking. “Coban’s gonna kill me over this mess.”

“Then we’ll clean it later, we have time!” Cara said, tugging her sweatshirt straight. “Come on. Let’s go before they shut the damn dining hall!”

The place felt different this morning. Lighter somehow. Less chaotic.

Probably because everyone had already headed out for breakfast?!

We made it out in to the main corridors, catching a glimpse of the last flow of pairs who were filing out towards the cafeteria from another block.

We moved quickly, our slides slapping against the cold floor as we fell into step with the rest of them – glad to have made it just in the nick of time.

“You think they’ll be back by lunch?” Cara asked under her breath.

“I hope so.” My voice was hoarse. “I don’t like feeling so, exposed, I can’t explain it…” I admit, as Cara nods her head, pulling me to the line.

“I feel that, at least we knew nobody else would mess with us when those two were around… we have each other today, but how will we stand up to some of these guys?!” Cara whispers, eyeing around the room at the terrifying lot.

“We just have to lay low…” I confirm, before we shuffle forward, reaching the stack of trays before grabbing one.

The smell of reheated eggs and syrup–drenched toast made my stomach rumble despite the anxiety still curling inside me,

She agreed with a hum, before we chewed in silence for a few more minutes, the occasional clang of cutlery and low murmurs from other tables surrounding us as we finished up in record time,

Cara stood first, brushing the crumbs from her pants and nodding to the door. “Alright. Let’s get this over with before anyone else decides to pick on us.”

“Good plan.” I rose too, tucking my bottle under my arm and making sure to keep my head down again as we made our way past the man who’d barked at us earlier.

The hallway outside the cafeteria was mostly empty, which was a small mercy.

Cara’s room wasn’t far, just a few corridors down from where mine and Coban’s was.

Her room looked untouched compared to mine when we stepped inside. Clean. Quiet. Exactly how she’d left it.

Cara exhaled, like she’d been holding the air in since the cafeteria.

“I’ll be ten minutes, max,” she said, already peeling off her sweatshirt. “Make yourself useful and pick out what I’m wearing – there’s so many options.” She jokes, as we both knew there was lucky to be two.

I gave a sarcastic salute. “Yes ma’am.”

She tossed a rolled–up pair of socks at my face, grinning as she disappeared into the bathroom and clicked the door shut behind her.

I smiled faintly as I moved to her tiny dresser and started rifling through her clothes. It felt strangely comforting — like we were just two girls getting ready for a normal day…

Normal?

–

As if!