Unbreakable

Chapter 11

Monday rolled around and I stepped into school with Ryder walking beside me. By now the rumors about me had died down and I was happy. We stopped at my locker to pick up my art project I did yesterday after I got home from being at Ryder's house. It was a surprise project she assigned at the last minute. I was used to last minute projects in her class. The assignment was to paint someone that means the most to me. I painted Ryder and it turned out the way I wanted it to. I captured his dazzling green eyes and freckles laid upon his face. Every detail I could think of without looking at a reference I painted down.

I shut my locker with a sigh, I was content. Nothing could ruin my mood. Or so I thought. Walking past one of Carter's classes I made eye contact with Ames. He stood up abruptly and swung the door open.

"You!" He pointed, "This is your fault!" He screamed

I backed away. "What?" I asked, highly confused at what I did

He got all in my face, Ryder had to push him back, "Back up dude."

Then Ames did something I never thought I would witness, he started to cry. I frowned, what was happening right now? Should I do something?

I patted his shoulder, "Why don't you tell me what's wrong? Maybe I can fix it."

"There's no fixing it." He cried, "He's gone."

"Who's gone?"

"Carter committed suicide last night, he jumped into moving traffic on the freeway. They tried to save him but there was too much blood. He died as soon as he arrived at the hospital."

I suddenly felt sick, I leaned over feeling like I couldn't catch my breath. "Stella?" Ryder called

I clutched my chest as I started to hyperventilate. I felt Ryder's hand on my back rubbing it, he helped me stand up straight and placed my arms above my head. "Breathe." He told me

By now tears were streaming down my face, Ryder pulled me into a hug and held me. The bell had already rung and one of the hall monitors approached us. She took one look at my state and said he should escort me to the nurses office.

As I sat in the nurse's office hunched over with Ryder by my side. He already called my brother and he was on his way. I didn't speak because I knew I didn't know what to say.

Twenty minutes later Joel came in. I looked at him red faced, his expression softened when he saw me. I stood up trying to hold it together. "Let's go." He said softly. He fist bumped Ryder, "Thanks man."

"Of course." He replied. He kissed my forehead, "Feel better okay?"

I nodded and followed Joel out. I noticed his attire, a black suit and tie. "What's with the fancy get up?" I asked him

"Interview." He grinned

"Oh cool." I opened the door to his car and slammed it shut unfortunately catching my thumb in the door, "Fuck!" I yelled holding my thumb that hurt so much

Joel got in, "What?! What happened?!" He panicked

"My thumb!" I cried out

He grabbed my hand and looked at it, he sighed, "You'll be fine."

"No, I won't. That hurt so bad." I whined

He started the car, "Let's go for some cake."

I leaned my head against the window, "Okay."

About twenty minutes later we pulled into the parking lot at our favorite bakery called Missys Sweets. It was somewhere we found comfort. My family and I used to come her all the time for dessert not as often as we went to Clementine but often enough to know everyone who worked there over the years.