Begin Again

Five - Mackenzie's POV

With exhaustion hitting me, I decided to rush straight up to my room once Colby and I arrived home. I know I said I'd tell him what happened, but I changed my mind so before he had a chance to say something, I got out of his car and left him. I was just so tired of everything. Why should I have to go through the memory of it again?

Slamming the door behind me, I stripped out of my sweater, throwing it on the ground. So many emotions whirled within me; I could feel it literally suffocating me. My breaths soon began to come out shallow and short; my heartbeat racing, rapidly. Before I knew it, tears were strolling down my cheeks, seemingly never-ending. I fell on top of my bed, face-down.

I was so sick of it, of everything. Why did this, out of all things, have to happen to me? I've already been through enough. Unanswerable uestions whirled through my mind, causing a headache to form.

Why did this have to happen?

What did I ever do to Parker?

Why did he do this to me?

Why doesn't anyone believe me?

Who left that note in my locker?

With a sudden realization, I think, Celina. It must have been her, of course. She hates me after what happened two weeks ago. She hates me.

As another sob leaves my lips, I have the sudden need to leave. To leave this hellhole and never come back. Sitting up, I wipe my cheeks and take a few deep breaths. Sniffing, I glance out of my window. It was a sunny day, not a cloud in sight. My scowl deepened, unhappy that my emotions didn't match with the weather.

Once again, my mind went back to the thought of leaving. What if I ran away? Was it even possible for me to leave? Would anyone care if I was gone? I really doubted it.

Suddenly, a wave of dizziness engulfed me. I shut my eyes, my hands gripping my head. I let out a groan and gritted my teeth. I felt so lightheaded. But I stayed on my bed, willing myself to take deep breaths and to get a hold of myself.

It didn't work. Finally, after a moment, I was engulfed into darkness.

•••

A flash of bright light blinded my eyes. Blinking once then twice and then three times, I finally adjusted to my surroundings. With realization dawning on me, I saw that I was on the floor of my bedroom. My head was pounding, but I managed to get up. I removed a piece of hair from my mouth and glanced at the time. The clock showed that it was 12:03 p.m. I frowned. For a second, I marveled on what I was doing on the ground, but then realization hit me. The urge to cry came at me again, but yet no tears appeared in my eyes.

I was too tired. And hungry, for that matter.

I ignored the fact that Colby didn't care to check up on me - perhaps he did, but there was no sign indicating he did. I chuckled bitterly---my own step-brother didn't care. If he won't, who will? Pushing myself to my feet, I gravitated towards the door, glaring at my stomach as it protested violently. "Have you ever had a threatening note sent to you?" It remained silent. "That's what I thought." Prying open the door, I make my way down the stairs, my feet making loud, but dull, sounds on the shiny wood. The house is silent, and Colby's room is dark, his door open a crack. I scowl and hurry into the kitchen, reaching into the fridge. "Greek yogurt, pre-made sausage and eggs." I squint. Healthy or fattening? I grunt as my stomach protests again. "Sausage and eggs it is." Pulling the tray out, I plop it into the microwave, watching as it moves around in a circular motion, steam fogging up the little window. I lick my lips, shoving the warm food into my mouth as soon as it comes out.

"What on earth are you doing?" A voice hissed, causing me to shut my eyes. I so did not need this right now. Opening my eyes, I put my food down and turned around to meet the daunting eyes of my grandmother. She scowled as she put her hands on her hips. "Well?" she urged.

She was dressed in a red silk nightgown, her short brown hair, tamed. Underneath that cool exterior, was a messed up she-devil. I sighed and mumbled, "I'm eating."

She raised an eyebrow. "It's midnight. Go to bed. Now."

My irritation growing, I replied, "I'm not done yet."

Before I knew it, she grabbed my tray and dumped it in the trashcan. Jaw dropped, I watched as she sweetly smiled at me and said, "You are now."

With that being said, she turned on her heels and walked out of the kitchen, shutting the lights off on her way.

I let out a low aggravated growl.