Breaking point

Problems

My stomach was in knots as I snuck out my front door. For me, a straight A student and a rule follower, I felt like I was living on the edge.

I was sneaking out to talk to a hot guy about a drinking problem and for all I knew he could be kinda drunk.

Eeeeh! How exciting is this!, I thought excitedly feeling cool and dangerous even though I was only going about 30 feet from my front door.

I walked quietly toward Cole, who either didn't notice or pretended not to. He continued to stare at the sky and occasionally glance at the broken bottle.

I bit my lip nervously, lowering myself down next to him, leaving a good foot of space between us in case something unexpected happened.

He continued to stare blankly at the sky, apparently oblivious to my presence.

"Hey." I started, trying to find a way to ask my question without being stalkerish.

He glanced at me but quickly returned his gaze to the sky.

"You ok?" I continued slowly, trying to get his attention.

He nodded slowly, looking a little zoned out as he peered at the stars.

I picked up a shard of the bottle, "why?" I asked quietly, holding up the broken piece.

He glanced at the shard, "it fell."

Taking a deep breath I rethought my wording of the question.

I set the glass back down, "I meant why do you drink?"

He sighed, shifting and glancing back at me once more, "because I do." Cole stated blatantly yet vaguely.

I was about to push the question but he abruptly stood up and walked back into his house.

My mouth opened but closed again. I guess it could've been worse though. With one last look at his house, I trudged back inside, curling up under my blankets and finally falling asleep.

When I woke up my dad had already left for work, and left a simple note on the counter to inform me of his morning shift.

Pulling on my converse, I picked up my backpack and headed out, locking the door behind me.

Without even thinking, I glanced toward Cole's house but his Harley was already gone. With a slight sinking feeling I walked to the bus stop for my usual torture.

Ryan and a couple of his devious group members were already waiting at the bus stop looking bored. Though their interest picked up when I got there, inevitably giving them a form of cruel entertainment.

"Well, well, well, how's princess today?" Ryan questioned in a tone that warned me not to answer, "you look ugly and nerdy as ever."

Rolling my eyes and pretending the comment hadn't hurt, I sat down on the curb waiting for the bus.

"Oh look, princess is having a pathetic little stand off, isn't it sad?" Ryan mocked, gaining the snickering and sneering approval of his fellow bullies.

I took a calming deep breath, I couldn't let him get to me.

I heard a gruff growl like noise as Ryan got angry. Big hands shoved me forward, pushing me into the street.

Slightly shaken, I picked up my backpack and returned to the curb. Feeling already invested, I committed to my standoff of not giving him a reaction. Bullies just wanted a reaction.

His tough hands yanked me backward, "what's your new thing about being silent?"

Taking another deep breath, I pulled myself back up, returning to my sitting position and holding onto my backpack.