Hard Times

4

The next morning, Aubrey and Stacie woke up to the sound of Hayley moving around the room. The orange haired girl was getting ready for school.

Stacie shifted slightly and curled further into Aubrey's side. "You have to go too." She mumbled, not wanting the blonde to leave.

Aubrey sighed and nodded. "Yeah. I didn't think Hayley would be going to school, not after her parents... y'know." She whispered to Stacie so that Hayley wouldn't hear her.

Stacie sighed softly. "I didn't either." She whispered back, curling further into Aubrey. "I don't want you to go, I don't want to be alone."

"Maybe your mom will come here and then you won't be alone." Aubrey said softly. "I promised my dad I'd still go to school."

Pouting, Stacie gripped Aubrey's shirt as best as she could with her casted hand. "School is stupid." She mumbled.

"Well, we all have to do it." Aubrey said with a shrug. "I have to go shower before I leave." She said softly, trying to wriggle out of Stacie's arms.

Whining softly, Stacie released her and curled up on the bed. "Now I'm going to be cold."

"I'm sorry." Aubrey said softly. "I have to go to school."

"I know." Stacie said softly, already feeling horrible for even trying to get Aubrey to skip school.

"I can come back during my free period." Aubrey said softly, gathering up her clothes.

Stacie nodded her head before rolling onto her other side and facing the window. Becoming quiet again.

Aubrey made her way into the bathroom where Hayley was brushing her teeth. "Oh sorry. I'll let you finish."

Hayley shook her head and spat the toothpaste from her mouth, rinsing her toothbrush under the tap then turned to Aubrey. "I'm done." She said quietly before leaving the bathroom.

Stacie laid there, staring out the window as the other two girls got ready for school. Not even reacting when they told her goodbye. She sighed quietly as the door closed behind the two girls.

Sitting up, Stacie got off the bed and made her way into the bathroom. She slowly stripped her clothes and took in the damage her father had done. Tears filled her eyes and she began to cry, her body shaking as she took everything in. Who was going to want her now? She was damaged and used. No one would want her. Not now. Not this way. Not after he broke her.

Sniffling, Stacie moved over to the tub and turned the water on. She couldn't shower because of the cast on her right arm. So she'd have to take a bath using only her left arm. It was going to be difficult but she thought she could do it on her own.

Grabbing a towel, Stacie wrapped it around herself and left the bathroom to grab clothes and her shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. She returned to the bathroom and closed the door.

After her bath, Stacie was laying in the bed and just staring at the wall. She must've fallen asleep because she woke up to the door to the room opening.

Aubrey came into the room, pushing the key to the room into the back pocket of her white jeans. She had decided against wearing her cheerleading uniform because it was cold outside.

Nathan followed her into the room in his letterman's jacket and Haley followed him.

Sitting up, Stacie looked over at them and smiled weakly. "Shouldn't you be in school?" She asked, reaching up to rub her eyes with her good hand.

"It's lunch time then our free period." Aubrey shrugged, dropping her bag at the foot of the bed and sitting down on the soft blankets.

Stacie immediately curled into her side, tiredly laying her head on Aubrey's shoulder.