All Along

007

"Did you really call me worthless?"

I leave out the other two vile words that Liam mentioned.

"Baby, does that really sound like something I would do?" he asks with a sympathetic smile.

I shake my head and look over at Cory- the boy I have only known for a day and a half, who is already sleeping over at my house- and watch as his eyes flutter when I remove a falling strand of hair from his forehead and tuck it behind his ears.

"I'm sorry for everything that has happened today. Good night Cory," I smile, unsure if he heard me, considering it's four o'clock in the morning and he is half asleep.

I say goodnight to Jack and replay everything that has happened this week, from Mandy and that lunch tray and Liam and his obsession with making my life miserable. The thought alone is tiring and I find myself closing my eyes and drifting asleep before I know it.

...

I wake up to the sound of shuffling around in the kitchen. I walk into my mothers room but she is no where to be found. As I walk back into the living room, thinking the noises were just from my imagination, I see a note plastered across the white board on our refrigerator.

'Left for a job interview. Don't leave the house'

-mother

As excited as I am that my mom is actually trying to act like a mother, I'm a bit taken back by her actions to be interviewed for a job.

I decide to go upstairs and get dressed before I make breakfast. I rummage through my closet to find a descent looking outfit to wear. I end up putting on a pair of black skinny jeans, a creme colored T-shirt and a burgundy cardigan. It's a little but over the top, considering I'm not going anywhere today but it will do.

I walk back downstairs and look through the refrigerator for something to make for breakfast. I decide on pancakes, eggs, and turkey bacon.

I gather up everything I need to make the batter for the pancakes and once everything has been put into the large mixing bowl, I pour the batter onto the pan. I wait about 60 seconds before I flip it and start making the bacon and eggs.

After about 20 minutes everything is done. I ended up with a lot of leftovers so I'm not worried about no one getting enough to eat. I set aside a plate for my mother and go wake the boys up.

"Jack. Jack, I made breakfast, wake up!" He shuffles around before finally limping to the table. I give him a sympathetic smile and guide him too the table before waking Cory up.

"Cory, breakfast is ready," I smile at him as his eyes flutter open.

"Tess, this is really good! You didn't have to do this." Jack says before stuffing his face full of pancakes.

Cory takes a seat next to Jack and I watch as they make small talk about an upcoming football game that the Packers are sure to win.

When the boys are done, I wash their plates and head to living room, where they continue talking about football.

"You look nice! Whats the occasion?" Jack asks.

"Do I need a reason to dress up?" I fire back.

"Just saying," he giggles before smirking.

"Where is your bathroom?" Cory asks and Jack gives him directions.

"What's so funny?" I ask the giggling boy.

"Its obvious that you like Cory!" Jack laughs.

"What? No. Why would you think that?"

I won't deny that Cory is very attractive and sweet and I'd be lying if I said I didn't think he was, but regardless of his looks I really don't have feelings for him. Well at least not the way Jack thinks I do. I do see Cory as a friend, but nothing more than that.

"Well your all dressed up and you made breakfast. You were acting all flirty last night," he states.

Now I see where he is coming from. It is a little ironic that I decided to dress up the day Cory stayed the night and I decided to go all out with breakfast. If it were just my brother and I, I would have ended up making cereal and toast. But how was I acting all "flirty?" I cringe at my brothers choice of words.

"Okay, I see how you would think that but that is not the case, Jack! I see Cory as a friend; nothing more!"

"Sure, whatever!" He giggles as Cory walks back into the living room.

"I really think I should be going. My dad has been blowing my phone up with messages since last night," he half smiles and adds "thanks for letting me stay last night!"

I give him a friendly hug and say goodbye. I walk outside with him, guiding him towards the steps. The bruises on his face are clearly visible and the warm air doesn't soothe the ache in my chest.

I say goodbye one last time before he walks down the steps toward his apartment. I really am lucky to have a friend like him. Yes, I know I have known him for two days but after everything that has happened this weekend, I feel like I have known him for much, much longer.

...

Yesterday flew by and I ended up falling asleep on the couch once my mom got home.

Something was different this time. The normal slur in her voice from being drunk was nonexistent. I remember her saying, "The interview went well. The man was nice and the job has a decent pay so I really hope I land this one!"

It was such a foreign feeling, really. Any other day my mom went out, she would have came home, hammered from all the drinking.

There are too many things running through my head right now and I need to let off some steam before I explode. Maybe I'll go on a walk.

After weighing my options between staying home to work on my science project and going for a walk, I decide to go on a walk and maybe grab something to eat for Jack and myself.

I change out of my skinny jeans and t-shirt, replacing them with navy colored running shorts and a gray v-neck. After throwing my hair up into a messy bun, grabbing my house keys and wallet, I am finally out the door.

After walking about four blocks, my heart sinks into my chest and I think about running, but its too late. He saw me.

Liam saw me.