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 assuring her a dozen times that I was okay.

I've been wearing turtlenecks everywhere I go, hiding the red and purple hickeys on my neck. The last thing I need is for someone to notice, especially my grandparents. Thank God they weren't home, if Grandpa saw what happened, I'd probably be visiting him in jail right now.

The thought is enough to make my stomach churn.

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, but I can't bring myself to look at her.

I turn away, pretending to focus on my notebook, 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 falls silent, and I can feel her eyes boring into me.

She's trying to play the victim, and I know this act too well. It's a tactic she resorts to whenever she's backed into a corner, and I can see the wheels turning in her head as she thinks of how to turn the situation back in her favor.

As I walk my way to gym, lost in my thoughts, I suddenly collide with someone. It was the guy from the party. The guy who assaulted me. He looks different now, his face bruised and swollen to the point that I almost don't recognize him.

His eyes widen as he stumbles back, his expression one of fake innocence.

Did Grayson do that?

"Hey, I'm really sorry," He stammers. "I was so drunk, I barely remember what hap-"

Before he can finish, panic surged through me. I feel my chest tighten, my throat closing up. I back away, bumping into people as I turn and run.

My heart pounds so loudly in my ears that I can barely hear the voices calling out behind me. I need to get away. I need to be alone.

I find the nearest bathroom and lock myself in a stall, my hands shaking as I sink to the floor. The walls seem to close in around me, and my breath comes in rapid, shallow gasps.

The fear I've been trying to bury swells inside me, threatening to drown me. I press my hand against my temples, willing the anxiety to stop, to let me breathe.

Fifteen minutes later, I'm still on the bathroom floor, but the panic is starting to subside, replaced by a dull ache in my chest. It's stupid, really, this is supposed to be a rich, safe town. Even here, I thought I could escape.

But even the wealthiest places have their dark sides.

~

I'm in my last class for the day, trying not to spiral into a full-blown panic attack over our away game later. We have different refs this time, which is either a blessing or a curse.

Hopefully, they're better than the last ones, because if I have to deal with another call that makes no sense, I might just lose it.

Nora's been ignoring me all day, still pissed off that I won't forgive her for ditching me. Honestly, I don't know what she expected. She's been testing me, pouring on the guilt trip, but I'm not in the mood to deal with her drama today.

Madison, however, is more than happy to keep the shit show going. She walks up to me, eyes practically shooting daggers at the side of my head.

"You're a real bitch, you know that?" She snaps.