Shattered

Confessions

Steph's POV

As soon as I walked into my apartment, I shouted "Ugh. GUYSSS!!! GET A ROOM!!" Ana and Ryan were on the couch in a lip lock, with Ryan on top of Ana. Immediately, they sprung apart, both with flushed smiling faces. "Oh hey Steph! You're back!" Ryan said, running his hand through his hair.

Ana and Ryan had been going out since December, when he invited her to the Winter Formal. The Winter Formal was a school tradition. The decorating committee always did an amazing job hanging lights, plastic icicles, mistletoe, and garland. I hadn't gone because nobody asked me out. Whatever. I was fine with that.

I had spent the night with Vanessa, Kelly, and Alexis. We just watched Titanic and afterwards, we just talked about who we thought was going to kiss after the dance was over. We had so many laughs during that.

"We should get going soon. We're going out for dinner." Ana said. I snapped out of my daze. "Oh. Ok. Have fun. Is Vanessa still here?"

"Nah. She went to go pick up pizza from The Slice." Ana said. She left a while ago and should be back..

"Hey guys." Vanessa walked through into the apartment holding a giant box of pizza. "Now" Ana finished, grinning. "see? I'm physic. C'mon Ryan. Lets go to that new Thai place. Kelly said it was amazing."

"Sure babe. Bye guys." He called to us half way out of the apartment. "oh and feel better. Your ankle, I mean."

Then the door closed.

"Ok. What took you so long?" Vanessa asked "I was starting to get kinda worried. I mean, how long does it take to set a dislocated ankle?" I grinned as I replied "You would know- you probably have broken, fractured, sprained, or dislocated at least half of the bones in your body from being so accident prone" I laughed as she wrinkled her face at me. "but you caught me. Logan and I went to Ben & Jerry's after the guy at the Medic shack said I was free to go"

"STEPHANIE MENDELL!!! DID YOU JUST GO OUT ON A DATE??!! WITH LOGAN?! AHHHHHHH!!!" Vanessa was practically screeching at the top of her lungs.

"HEY SHUT UP! He just felt bad for me so he bought me ice cream. Then he asked if we could hang out tomorrow. Maybe catch a movie or something. That's it" I said rolling my eyes.

"GIRL WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?? HE WANTS TO HANG OUT WITH YOU TOMORROW! HE OBVIOUSLY LIKES YOU!!"

"Vanessa! Stop yelling. And we just want to hang out more; between school and sports, we NEVER get time to hang out" I said flopping onto the bed.

"So what did you say? About going to see the movie with him?" Vanessa was practically bouncing up and down like a squirrel on coffee.

"I said I would text him later."

"Hmm. That's smart. Don't want to sound desperate.."

"Hey 'Nessa? Do me a favor. Shut up." Vanessa made a pouty face and said "Oh well. I guess I have to eat this entire pizza by my self. Too bad."

I stuck out my tongue at her (hey I never said I was mature) and said "Sorrrrryyyyy" with puppy dog eyes. Vanessa stared at me for a minutes with her arms crossed.

Then she sighed. "I guess I can share... But only because you dislocated your ankle today."

"Yay!"

Half an hour later, we finished up the pizza. "Mmmm I haven't had pizza from The Slice in sooo long" I said tossing out my paper plate. "it's insanely fattening and oily but whatever. I'm headed to work out at the gym. You wanna come?" I asked Vanessa.

"WAIT!!" Vanessa screamed just as I was about to grab my keys. I dropped my keys, startled. "What the hell was that for?!" I asked, a little annoyed.

"You have to text Logan!"

"Now? I need to go to the gym!"

"Yes now! Or else he's going to think you're playing hard to get, which no offense but you suck at!"

"For the last time! WE AREN'T DATING!" Vanessa looked me in the eye and said, "I know that you want to though. Call him."

I averted my eyes. "I should go. The gym closes in an hour."

With that, i walked out of the apartment.

***

When I left, it was around 7 and I got back at 9. When I got to the gym entrance, I unwrapped the ankle brace. They would kick me out if they I saw I had an injury and was working out so much.

I spent the first hour at the gym, working on my abs and biceps. Then when the gym closed for the night, I went jogging on a path if the woods near our school.

When I was in middle school, I was bullied and my parents filled for divorce.

I remember coming home after a late night swim practice and my mom screaming at my dad how she had to work 8 hours a day and that she was sorry she couldn't spend time with us because SOMEONE had to make the money. My father countered that she just wasnt trying because he could do it.

"This isn't about me or you, Dan! We need to be able to support Stephanie and her school and activities!"

Then she broke off as she noticed me standing next to the kitchen. I had heard everything she said.

I went up the stairs to my room slowly, and when my mom called out "Steph! Wait-" I ran up the stairs and into my room. I had cried until all my tears were dried out and i just quietly sobbed and breathed.

That was just the first night. There were many more fights like that, but only at night when my parents thought I was asleep. But I heard them. Every. Single. Night. I had cried until all I felt was numbness.

In school I was called fatty, dumbass, freako

I selected the harder trail that was made for hikers with lots of experience. That path took about forty five minutes to complete. Another reason that I picked that path was because it ends near my apartment.

I ran across the street and walked into the lobby. I nodded a quick hello to the doorman. I hopped onto the elevator and slumped, exhausted. My ankle had started to hurt during my run. Hmm. Maybe Mike was right

I unlocked the apartment door. I winced, stretching my arms. Vanessa was on the couch, watching TV. When she saw me, she called to me "Girl, you better text Logan. Like now."

"Ok ok. Just give me a sec., I need to take a shower and-"

"NO! NOW!" Sighing, I took my Iphone out of my purse.

Me: Hey Logan. I'm free tomorrow. What time do u wanna catch a movie?

Logan: Hey. I was thinking that you, vanessa, me, and Matt could meet up at 4 or something. We can decide wat movie 2 watch there.

Me: cool. Sounds fun. Gtg. Bye

Logan: bye

"See that wasn't hard was it?"

"Watever. You, me, Matt, and Logan are going to watch a movie at 4."

"Kay." Vanessa yawned. "Ugh I know it'a only like 10, but I'm exhausted."

"I totally know how you feel." I said, opening the freezer to grab an ice pack to put on my ankle, which had started to swell up a little.

"Ugh. Yeah. I'll be in my room. Call if you need anything."

"I think I'll be good, but thanks." I washed a bowl of grapes and limped to the couch.

I stretched my foot out in front of me, wincing. My ankle felt sore. Huh. Maybe I shouldn't have worked out so much today. After all, i wanted to be able to walk when Vanessa, Logan, Matt, and I go catch a movie.

I do think that Logan likes me, but I don't know if i like him like that. But if we did go out, that wouldn't be horrible. After all, he was athletic, good - no great looking, and caring. He could be my perfect match. Just maybe. But I'm willing to try.