Bullied.

Chapter 24

The question runs through my mind while I’m trying to sleep. I try to weigh my pros and cons but I can’t concentrate enough. Sometimes I miss him so much and just want to go lay in his room, but other days I question why we got together in the first place.

“I didn’t even know you stayed over.” I say seeing Kayla Sunday morning.

“Oh yeah! I didn’t mean to but Kai and I were talking and I guess I fell asleep. So, now I am here, standing before you.” She says gesturing to herself.

“Well, in that case, good morning.” I say.

“Hey Kayla, I wanted to talk to you about something before Araceli gets up.” Kai says.

“And that would be?” I ask him with my hands under my chin, smiling brightly.

“Oh! Um, what are we talking about? I was just going to ask Kayla about the movie we watched last night, right?” Kai makes up on the spot.

“You were never a good liar.” I say sipping coffee.

“You aren’t normally up this early on the weekends.”

“I don’t sleep much anymore. Too much to think about.” I say exiting the kitchen. I am really not in the mood to explain myself or even talk at all. I change into a pair of shorts and a T-shirt, and begin the search for a pair of headphones. I have about six or seven pairs but never find them at any given time.

“Hey, have you seen a pair of headphones anywhere?” I go back into the kitchen.

“Wow. Are you going out in public in shorts?” Kayla asks surprised.

“I am trying something new. Now  headphones? Anybody?” I ask cupping my hands. Kai pulls a pair out of his pocket, he always keeps a pair on him, and hands them to me.

“Don’t lose them, I know how you are with headphones.” He scolds me.

“I won't! Thank you!” I say turning around to go on a walk.

“How am I supposed to ignore that?” Kai whispers, not meant for me to hear.

“I heard that!” I shout exiting the house.

I decided to go on a walk/jog whenever I feel overwhelmed. I just need to clear my head, maybe I will get some answers. At first, I start walking but then as I start think more I pick up pace quickly and begin to run. I don’t know where I am going, but at the same time I know exactly where I am going. I end up at my house and go inside to see my mom. I haven’t seen her since I moved into Kai’s house and I doubt she knows about the break up.

“Mom?” I say, removing the earbuds from my ears.

“Honey, I don’t think you should be right now.” My mom rounds the corner.

“What are you talking about? Is everything okay?” I walk toward where my mom appeared from.

“Araceli, I wouldn’t take another step further.” She tells me. I ignore her warning and push past her, worrying that something terrible happened. I turn the corner to see a man sitting at the table. The mysterious man looks up at me and he isn’t so mysterious anymore.

“Hey baby girl. I’m home.” My dad stands up, his baby blue eyes peering into mine. I feel my eyes swell with tears and I raise my hands to my mouth. I slowly back up, fear overcoming my body. My fight or flight response kicks in, and lord know I have never ran so fast in my life.

“Kai!” I yell coming running into the house.

“You better be returning my head-” He stops talking when he looks at me. I run to him and hug him tight crying into his shirt. “What happened?”