Shattered Asylum

Chapter 17

Today is Wednesday and we have another game after school. Nora's been texting me non stop apologizing. Kristina reluctantly left Sunday evening after telling her 50 times that I was okay.

I've been wearing turtlenecks everywhere I go, hiding the red and purple hickeys on my neck. Luckily my grandparents weren't home or else grandpa would be in jail right now.

I sit down in English, my heart still heavy with the events that happened a few nights ago. Nora spotted me almost immediately and rushed over, her face masked with concern. "Aven, i'm so sorry! I didn't mean to leave you like that." She said, her voice frantic.

I turn away, unwilling to engage. I knew I couldn't ignore her forever but right now, I just couldn't bear to hear her excuses. Eventually, she fell silent, her expression shifting to one of hurt as she tried to play victim.

It was a familiar tactic, Nora always resorted to this when she didn't get her way and I can see the wheels turning in her head as she formulates her next move.   

 As I walk to gym, lost in my thoughts, I suddenly collided with someone. It was the guy who assaulted me, but he looks different, heavily beaten, to the point I barely recognized him. Did Grayson do that? 

His eyes widen with what seemed like feigned innocence. "Hey, i'm really sorry," He stammers. "I was so drunk, I barely remember what hap-" Before he could finish, panic surged through me. I back away, bumping into people before turning around and running away. 

My heart pounds in my ears as I make my way to the nearest bathroom. Locking myself in a stall, I sink to the floor, the walls closing in on me as my anxiety hits me full force. My breaths come in quick gasps, I press my hands against my temples, trying to quiet the chaos in my mind.

 Fifteen minutes have gone by and I finally start calming down. I didn't think this would happen in such a wealthy town but I guess even rich guys have a bad side.

~ 

I am in my last class for the day. I'm starting to get nervous for our away game. We have different refs this time, I hope they are better than the last. Nora didn't sit next to me, still ignoring me. Madison walks up to me, glaring daggers into the side of my head.

"You're a real bitch, you know that." I look at her confused. "What do you mean?" I didn't do anything to her. "Ignoring Nora for no reason. She's been crying all day because of you." I scoff in bewilderment.

"Did Nora tell you why? Or are you just assuming?" If Nora is lying about why I'm mad at her, I'm going to go ballistic.

"She said that you guys went to a party and then she left and you've been mad at her ever since." I give her a dry laugh. I stand up, looking her straight in the eyes.

"I'm mad at her because she ditched me at a party I didn't even want to go to the minute we got there. She left without telling me and when I was ready to go I looked for her everywhere! She wouldn't answer my texts or calls and I worried something bad happened to her but it turns out she left to go fuck Noah Beck! So no! I'm not ignoring her for no fucking reason she's just being a bad friend!" I rant, getting louder with each sentence. I breathe heavily, looking around the room.

Madison doesn't say anything else and sits back down. I see Nora looking at me with an emotionless expression. I sit back down folding my arms ignoring all the stares and whispers. This school is going to be the death of me.

"Good job A.W. Don't let them push you around." Vinnie says lightly punching my shoulder before sitting in the chair beside me. I give him a small smile propping my head on my hand, massaging my temples.