Deprecated (On Hold Indefinitely)

Deprecated: Chapter Three

Author's Note: This is a chapter where you can tell that I had writer's block. Comment and vote! (:

I rolled over and groaned at the loud, detestable sound coming from the alarm clock precariously perched on my windowsill. My hand reached out to slam the snooze button. When the clock fell to the floor, I groaned again.

Sitting up to retrieve it, I gasped and tightly clutched the side of my neck. I felt a swollen, circular welt, and I winced. My toes dug into the shag rug I had at the foot of my bed, and I tried my best to stand up. Last night was the most brutal my father has ever gotten towards me. I walked over to the power outlet and yanked the alarm clock plug out of the wall, and then I shuffled over to my mirror to inspect the damage.

There was no way I was going to cover it with makeup. It wasn’t cold enough to wear a scarf, either. I let out a soft whimper as I touched the burn. I headed to the bathroom and then back to my bed, deciding that I wasn’t going to risk heading to school today.

I gently slid into bed because my muscles were sore. It was then that I felt the bottle. I pulled it out from underneath the covers, and threw it on the floor. It landed with a thump, and bounced slightly. My head buzzed and throbbed, and I gripped my hair close to my temples. I ducked my head underneath my blankets to escape the sunlight pouring through my window. Within a few minutes, I was asleep again.

My house phone buzzed, and I stretched, picking it up off the stand, where it sat on the windowsill as well. It didn’t even check the caller I.D. before I answered with a groggy, “Hello?”

“Babe! You’re not at school today. What’s wrong?” my best friend’s voice was full of unnecessary panic.

I groaned and rubbed my head, gazing over at the alarm clock to see what time it was, but then remembering that it was on the floor unplugged.

“Hangover?” I moaned, but it was more of a question.

Winter made a tsk, tsk sound into the receiver. “I had plans for us this weekend, and you’re all curled up in bed all happy and drunk.”

“Trust me, Win, I’m far from happy.”

“Oh.” She was silent for a moment before she said, “We’re staying at my uncle’s cabin this weekend, okay? After lunch, I’m ditching school, and picking you up. Be packed by the time I get there. Love ya, babe, and see you soon.”

Before I could respond and tell my best friend that I love her too, the phone clicked. I sat up slowly and got out of bed, dragging myself around my room to get various things. I pulled a duffel bag from underneath my bed, along with the box containing money for food.

I slipped out of my clothing and took a quick shower, making sure the water was lukewarm for my neck. When I was done, I dried off and pulled on a pair of denim capris, a pale blue tank top, and a black scarf. My arms found their way into a white lace cardigan, and I slid my feet into a pair of flip flops.

There was a loud knock on the door, before the lock turned and someone entered. Whoever it was bounded up the stairs and into my room, making no sound as they came up.

“Finally got your ass up did you?” my best friend grinned and wrapped her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. I sucked in a sharp breath and bit down on my tongue. Winter pulled away, frowning. “Is something wrong, babe?”

I shook my head. “Nah, I’m good. I just wasn’t expecting to be hugged so tightly.”

She gave me one of her signature grins and plopped down on my bed. “So we’re stopping by a fast food joint to eat, and I’m making you eat as much as you can. I’ll pay. On our way up to the cabin, I can even get us some liquid courage-”