The Broken Road

Chapter Two

I wish I could say that the week is just about over, but we're only halfway through it. I keep replaying the conversation from Monday evening over in my head, and each time I do; I dread the date with Bentley on Friday. It's not that I don't like Bentley, trust me; I like him. It's just that I know I'm more than likely going to get hurt again; and I don't know if I'm ready for that.

I took the bus home from school today, I swear nobody rides the bus anymore, but my car is still in the shop. At least my Dad comes home today. The only part I hate about my Dad coming home is family dinner the night he returns. They say it's to bond since he's been gone for so long, I say it's them being nosy and my Dad trying to gather information about what happened while he was gone, its almost like both my parents are trying to catch who cheats first.

I have one headphone in my ear, listening to a 'Greatest Pop Hits' playlist on my phone. The one headphone doesn't drown out the voices on this bus ride. It's only filled with five people, a few I don't know; one from Chemistry class; and then Kyle. Kyle is Bentleys best friend, he moved in with Bentley when his mom passed away at eleven years old, they've been tight ever since. Sometimes I wonder what Bentley would say to Kyle if he knew the conversations I've had with him. Kyle Hart, eighteen and ignorant; has been passing flirtatious lines towards me since the seventh grade. He gets away with it for the most part, not by me; trust me I do my best to ignore him. Except that one time in ninth grade when he slapped my ass in the hallway, and Derik just about knocked him out before first period. That was a wild day. I am taking back from my thoughts when I hear the footsteps gaining closer to the seat across from me, and before I know it, we're making eye contact.

"Looks like hottie decided to take the bus today." Kyle says with a smirk as he looks back at his friend for judgment. Of course his friend edges him on further but chuckling back at Kyle's twisted line.
"I'm not in the mood, Kyle." I say, faintly and go back to looking out my small square window. This playlist sucks, but I don't want to change it now with his eyes glued on me. With barely any movement at all, Kyle is now up under my unplugged ear. I feel his hot breath on my neck just under while he whispers.
"I bet you I can get you in the mood."
I jump, but not because I'm scared; I'm actually purely disgusted as his choice of words. How can someone be a best friend and do this? It never made any sense to me. Only two more stops, I hold my breath and hope I jumped enough that he is back in his original seat. Unfortunately, my prayers are answered really quick.
"Come on, why don't you come over tonight, I can take these pants off with my teeth." He says with another twisted smirk. This is a game to him, it always has been.

I stand up, pushing Kyle backwards into his seat and walk toward the front of the bus, the bus driver glances up at me and then back to the road.
"Another stop yet, Stellar." He says and continues driving. I just stand there, frozen.
"Come on. You know I can do it better than him." I hear Kyle yell behind me. Disgusting.
"Here is fine. Please." I say, eyeing the bus driver. He stopped the bus and I get out. I continue my walk home, which isn't very far; and the bus picks up driving again.

In a matter of minutes, I'm at my front door. I notice my Dads truck isn't home yet, so I walk in. My mom is placed in the kitchen, cooking Lasagna from scratch. It's my Dads favorite meal. She cooks it every single time he is coming home. I hoped next time he wouldn't be gone this long, but let's face it; I hoped there wouldn't be a next time. I kick off my boots and set my backpack on the stool placed by the door, and walk swiftly over to the kitchen island.
"He's not home?" I asked; eyeing my mother
"He is about ten minutes out. Your sister is almost here too." She says without moving her head, only her hands as she continues to prepare the meal.
"What time are we eating?" I ask
"Timing is looking fine, so as soon as everyone is here. How was school?" By everyone, she meant my Dad and Sister, it's only us. My brother passed away when he was nine years old. A drunk driver struck my Dad and him on the way home from a Hockey game, he died instantly. Even until this day my dad beats himself up about it like it was his fault, even though we have told him its not.
I hated when she asked about school.
"Yeah, good." I lie. It wasn't good, nothing about this town is good. It's full of goody two shoes, and bullies, men who only want one thing. I couldn't wait to escape.