Becoming Broken

Chapter Two

Last week, my life changed. My parents went to pick up pizza. They swerved to avoid a deer, slipped on black ice, collided with a semi and died on impact. My mom’s best friend Cheryl has been staying with us, but we know this isn’t going to be permanent. The adults are still trying to sort through everything, while the three of us are a total wreck. Just like that, they were gone forever, and our world shattered because of one stupid deer.

There was a knock on the door, but I didn’t bother to get out of bed to see who it was. Friends have come by to give us love and support, but I just want to be left alone. I haven’t showered in two days and wish the ground would swallow me into a deep dark pit so I can be with my parents again. After I didn’t move, the knocking was now at my bedroom door. When I didn’t reply, someone opened it.

“Emily, you need to get up.” Mrs. Cheryl stated softly.

“No.” I barked.

“Go take a shower.”

“Fine.”

I got out of bed, grabbed an outfit and dragged myself to the shower. Why does she want me out of bed anyway? I know I can’t lay there forever, but the funeral is tomorrow, and I want to be able to get through that before having to go back to school and trying to get through life without Mom and Dad.

While in the shower I tried to scrub all the depression off me, rubbing some of my skin raw. I know I have every right to be depressed, but I hate it. This isn’t me. I was a happy child from a happy home, but now I’m becoming broken and I hate everything.

Once I was bathed and dressed, I tried to escape back to my room, but Mrs. Cheryl stopped me. I gave her a dirty look as she placed her hand on my back and guided me to the dining room. She had forced Ashley and David out of their rooms, and they were sitting with plates of lasagna in front of them. I sat next to Ashley, and Mrs. Cheryl put a plate in front of me too. I looked at it in disgust.

“I don’t want to eat.” I announced while crossing my arms.

“You and Ashley haven’t eaten since yesterday. You both need to eat.”

Ashley and I looked at each other and sighed. Her eyes were red from crying, just like mine. I haven’t even bothered to put on my usual eyeliner since the day of the accident. She went for her fork, so I did as well.

Someone came from the living room. I looked up and was surprised to see Aunt Stacy. She has blonde hair and blue eyes like Mom did. She lives nearby, but she’s a flight attendant and is never home, so she can’t take custody of us. I looked her over then went back to poking at the lasagna that I’m being forced to eat.

“Hey you guys, we found somewhere for you to go where the three of you can stay together.” Aunt Stacy announced.

The three of us looked up from our plates and for the first time in a week, I felt a glimmer of hope. Her and Mrs. Cheryl have been doing everything they can to find a way for the three of us to stay together. Bad enough we lost our parents, no need for us to lose each other too.

“Where?” Ashley asked.

Aunt Stacy and Mrs. Cheryl looked at each other nervously. I slammed my fork on the table, causing everyone to jump.
“We’re not staying in this school district, are we?” I asked.

“No.” Mrs. Cheryl admitted.

“But I’m in high school!”

“I’m sorry Emily, but the chance of you guys switching schools was almost guaranteed, we just didn’t want to say it until we knew for sure.” Aunt Stacy explained.