Troubled Teen

Chapter 2

Tears began to fill up my eyes while the slap from my father still stung my face, a red handprint formed onto my face. Shaggy kept his head on my lap while I slowly petted him.

"At least somebody cares about me" I told him while scratching his head. The only thing in the world that can listen to my problems without saying anything. Summer was in 2 months and that meant I would be spending my whole summer at my grandparents' house, as for my friends, I couldn't do anything, they'll probably be working or out of town somewhere or maybe at the beach. I continued petting Shaggy's head, before he lifted his head and licked my face, licking away the tears and I smiled, smiling for the first time. All over my walls were photos and trophies I had when I played softball from 3rd grade to 8th grade. I remember the last time I played softball.

Flashback 2 years ago, March 2017, 8th grade.

It was the first week of March, the continuation of my school's undefeated baseball team. I was the reason we are undefeated. But that all changed during one of our games. I was batting next and when I struck the ball to outfield I bolted it, I slid to first base, and I heard the crowd of parents go quiet and suddenly I felt my right foot go completely numb. I looked at my foot and I saw something I'll never forget; I dislocated my ankle. My grandpa who brought me to the game, rushed onto the field and helped me off the field. That same day I was brought to a nearby hospital and the doctor told me I would be out of softball for 4 months. By the time I had finished 8th grade and had summer break, my school's softball team's season was already over, and I was still recovering from dislocating my ankle. My grandpa, who helped me get into my school's softball team asked me if I wanted to do it again in the fall. I declined the offer. I played softball for 7 years straight, this year, most likely would have been the last time I would step onto a softball/ baseball field. Our school's softball team ended the season with 30 wins and 34 loses. From September to March, we were undefeated until the day I suffered my injury. By the time, almost the end of June happened, I no longer wore the cast that went around my leg, I fully recovered, and I spent the rest of my summer spending time with my friends, especially Justin who spent most of his days helping me recover plus spending his time with me. On somedays, he was at school practicing because he was part of the school's football team. I always went to his games to cheer him on. But after his death it was never the same. 

Skip to Present Day

"AUTUMN! your friends are outside waiting for you" I heard my dad yell to me from somewhere downstairs. At the same time, I got a notification from Bella saying we were hanging out. I headed outside and tried to smile but with the week I was having, my friends knew something was up but in order for them to not say anything they bad, Ava asked if we wanted to have a sleep over which all of us agreed on. That night we were chatting of how much school sucked ass and who were the people we had a crush on.  During out chatting I began thinking, Should I be here right now?  Every passing moment, I could feel my stomach churning and closing in on itself.  It was at that moment I was close to having a panic attack and, my friends knew something was wrong.

"Autumn, are you ok?" asked Bella.

"She doesn't look okay" responded Ava.

That night after out slumber party ended, I went home because I needed to take my pills.

Upon stepping through the front door, a strong smell of alcohol filled my lungs and already I knew it's from my father. I carried my stuff up to my friend and heard Shaggy following me. After throwing my dirty clothes into the laundry bin, I started my hot shower. The hot water felt so good I almost wanted to lie down and fall asleep. I stepped back and laid my back against the shower wall and slowly slid down until I was fully sitting down. The water from the shower head kept pouring until I stood up and turned it off. I stepped out of the shower, grabbed the towel that laid on the sink and started to dry off before putting my clothes on. I walked into my bedroom and saw Shaggy laying on the bed sleeping. I hopped into my bed and turned the tv on and played a movie that I don't yet remember.