I Wish You Never Met Me

05

CHAPTER 5

Why did I wake up? Everything in my body felt cement. I couldn't move anything. With every movement, there was a wave of pain that crashed down on me. What's worse is that I couldn't scream. If I did, they would know they infliction affected me, and I didn't want them to know that. The only reason I'm here is because we'll lose the house. If I leave, we lose the house and then we begin being homeless.

Pulling myself off the ground, I limped up to my room passing the mirror, making a mental note that this was yet another day of almost meeting my maker. I was still wearing my work uniform from yesterday. There goes another uniform. I'm just glad I get a day off from there today. See, I have two jobs. I'm a nanny and a waitress at a restaurant called Joe's near the mall.

I work these jobs to keep the place afloat. I'm seventeen and I cover almost all the bills since my parents found out. Long story short, they quit their jobs and threw all the responsibility on me. This is after I got released from Juvie.

The moment I reached inside the bathroom, I could feel my heart sink to my stomach. It was normal for me to look like this. Considering my track record, I deserve this. I deserve every bit of suffering that comes to me. I just don't know why their taking so long to send me back to my maker. It'll make their live a lot easier without me in it. I mean, they did tell me that—multiple times in fact—that I "ruined" everything for them. Whatever "everything" is anyway.

After getting ready for school, it was still quiet which meant that they haven't awaken yet. This gave me enough time to slip past their room and head back downstairs to grab my keys and leave.

***

Even though I just arrived at school, I wanted to escape already. For the past week and a half, it's like the entire student has been watching me. All because someone probably saw me talking to Lucas. Being popular at a high school was an interesting dynamic. Everyone wanted to know who you were dating, what you did last weekend, and how some girls can get "pretty" like you. Don't get wrong. It was a fun time, but I don't miss it at all.

Especially the blonde hair.

Why did I put myself through that? Probably my worst era yet. Honestly, blonde really?

I look so much better with black hair. I made my way to my locker, opening it and grabbing what I needed from there. I had no reason to stay out here longer than I needed to anyway. Sami and Monica weren't here yet. It was better for me to go to homeroom to avoid questions from his fans.

The classroom was halfway empty. Only a handful of students and the teacher sat quietly, minding their own business. I headed straight for the desk at the back of the room—my comfort space—just so I could avoid the questionable looks I was getting. Even though I was walking, I was slightly limping. It was the one thing I hated. Everyone staring out of pity or so-called empathy trying to figure you out. It was always the look of "I feel bad" but I'll never do anything about it. I'll never help. I'm sorry.

Time flew by and I was heading to Chemistry class. That wasn't before I felt a hand latch onto my wrist. Next thing I knew, I was being pulled to another classroom five minutes before class began.

"What the—" I almost shouted, but I felt a hand cover my mouth.

"Relax, it's me, partner. Lucas." The familiar voice tried to be as comforting as possible.

I pushed his hand away from my mouth, glaring at him. "Don't. Ever. Do. That. Again."

Pushing the door open, I tried to leave but he was quicker. He swiftly stepped in front of me, blocking me from leaving the room. "Why did you leave the café so suddenly?" his voice was firm, trying to pry an answer that he wasn't entitled to know. The audacity of him. The nerve of him. "And why the hell are you limping?"