Shattered Asylum

Chapter 11

I told Kristina about what happened in history class, and to say pissed would be an understatement. She's been going off about how Madison and Nora can screw themselves the whole drive to Marsh Valley. I can hear the frustration in her voice as she rants, but it only makes me feel more confused.

Nora's been texting me non-stop with apologies, how sorry she is, how she doesn't know why she said what she did. Part of me wants to just ignore her, block her number, but then there's that other part of me that wants to hear her out, to pretend like everything is fine and go back to how things used to be.

I don't know what to feel anymore.

It's hard to know who to trust. I've been hurt before, and I'm starting to realize that I'm not really sure what forgiveness looks like. Maybe I should just let this go. Maybe I should let it all slide. But I can't seem to get over what Madison said, and I'm not sure I even want to.

I mean, I know people make mistakes. Hell, we're teenagers, we're bound to screw up. But how do you forgive someone who turns their back on you when you need them the most? I just don't know if I can go back to that friendship.

We pull into the parking lot of Marsh Valley High School, and Kristina kills the engine. We get out and make our way to the gates. There's cold wind biting at my face, but I can't even focus on it. All I can think about is how everything feels so off. We hand the tickets over, and then we make our way to our seats next to some girls from school who I barely know.

"I guess everyone is going to Sophie's party after the game," Kristina says, the disappointment in her voice obvious. She knows I'm not exactly thrilled by the idea, especially not with everything that's happened.

The truth is, I've only been to one party since moving here, Layla's, and it wasn't terrible. In fact, it was kind of refreshing. As least there, I could be a stranger, someone people don't know. It was almost like I could leave my past behind, just for a few hours.

"We can go if you want," I say, surprising even myself. "I need to start having teenage experiences." I glance at her, trying to sound like I'm up for it, even though I'm still not entirely sure I am.

Her eyes brighten, and she almost bounce in her seat. "Are you sure? It would only be for a little while."

"Yeah, I'm sure. It'll be fun," I say, forcing a smile, At least, I hope it will be.

The stadium is buzzing with excitement as the game is about to start. The teams are huddling up, talking over their game plans, and the air is thick with tension. Everyone knows this isn't just any game..it's THE game. The Eagles are our biggest rivals, and the stakes have never been higher.

Nora told me the history of the rivalry, how twenty years ago, Marsh valleys football team kidnapped our team's quarterback, stripped him naked, and threw him in frozen water. He couldn't find the hole he'd broken through and sadly passed away. The guys that did it were never charged, and ever since, we've hated them.

"This game is going to be intense." Kristina says, squeezing my arm. She's practically vibrating with excitement.

The Eagle are good, really good. But this year? This year, we're finally getting closer to beating them. I can fee it in the air, like there's something in the stars that makes this year different. Maybe this is the year we'll finally take them down.

The whistle blows, and the field comes alive with the sound of players' cleat pounding against the turd, the cheers from the stands. Everyone's on the edge of their seat. The energy in the stadium is electric.

~

Grayson makes a beautiful throw to Vinnie, and he catches it with ease, powering through the Eagles' defense like it's nothing. The crowd goes wild as Vinnie fights his way into the end zone, making a touchdown within the first fifteen minutes.