Broken

Chapter 7

I sat alone on a cafeteria table, slowly eating my lasagna and milk shakes.
I looked around, people sat in groups chattering as they ate.

I was alone cause Nina wouldn't talk to me and She, Cheryl and Myron were like the only persons I knew their names in the whole school.

And Paxton though...

Oh Ronique..must you have added that?

Eyes averted to my table. People perhaps wondering why the new girl was sitting alone. Is she some loner?
I just had my head down.
"Hey." A voice startled me.
I looked up. Nina's ocean eyes coupled with a soft look looked at me.
"Is anyone here?"
I shook my head and she placed her tray and sat.
She gave me a look and released her breath.
"I'm so sorry about yesterday Ronique... I just realized I didn't have any right to act that way...." She wanted to keep speaking but I cut her off.
"Archie is my friend Nina. He.. he might not be a really good person but he's always been there for me... In ways no one has." I stared at her face.

She stared at me for a while, her eyes getting more soft and like she had seen and read through the pain in my eyes she held my hand across the table and we just sat in silence.

The beep of my phone broke the silence. I slipped my hand from hers and picked up my phone. It was a text from Archie reminding me of the party by 4.

It was a nice offer but my mind flashed to my project with Paxton. I couldn't miss it.

I texted Archie back telling him I couldn't make it and we should push it to another time. I dropped my phone.
"Any problem?" Nina asked, concern showing on her face.
I gave her a tight lipped smile. "It's nothing I'm fine..."
My eyes went to her plate. I picked up her fry and put in my mouth.
"Hey! You're stealing my fries." I chuckled.

We were back...I guess.

***
I sat on my bed flipping through a random magazine to pass out time before I could go to Paxton's.
I had a sudden thirst for water and made my way downstairs to the kitchen.
I went in to meet my mom perched on the counter chair. Her sob's filling the entire place. I furrowed my eyebrows and stared at her.

"Mom?" I walked towards her."Mom?"
She raised her face. Her eyes were red and puffy from crying. Tears rolled down her cheeks. I felt pain pierce through my heart.
My eyes asked all the questions.

She released her breath. "He left.... I woke up this morning and he was gone with his stuffs. He promised to pay our bills." She sobbed.
I just stared at her, my stare turning slowly into a venomous glare. My thirst for water vanished completely.

I know I shouldn't have but deep down I really did have a glint of hope...and I really hate to believe it was crushed just as it always had and will.
I felt my eyes sting.
"I hate the both of you." I whispered, loud enough for her to hear then I turned and left.
"Ronny... Ronny!" She tried to call but I didn't turn back.

I went into my room, and sat on my bed and stared at open space.
I was feeling so much pain in my heart, it was just as though it was about to be ripped out and it was slowly eating me up.

The door of my room opened and my mom walked in. I kept my eyes on the floor.
"Ronique."
"Mom...just leave me alone."
She took a step closer to me.
"Don't come close to me." I snarled.

"Baby...I'm so sorry. I am so so sorry." She cried.
I felt anger spewing out of my ears. I flared up.
"No, Mom... No, you're not...You repeat the same thing over and over again... you're not sorry, you don't even care about me at all... whether or not I break into thousand pieces you don't fucking care."
"Ronique, it's not my fault." She screamed back almost chocking.