Protected

Breakup, Maybe?

I sighed and leaned my head against my fathers arm. We were on a flight headed back to the East coast. After getting told that my stitches were dissolvable, I had been cleared out of the hospital.
      We'd spent one more night in a hotel, during which we stopped at a police station to file a report and say that we'd be back in a month for the trial.
      I had wanted to sit with Carson on the flight, but my parents thought that since I'd just spent 3 months with him, I was going to have a break. Also, they hadn't seen me in all that time so naturally they wanted to be with me.
      I was planning on going back to school on Monday, three days from now. I was pleasantly shocked when my parents said that would be fine. I'm not allowed to say where I was or what happened, because Carson and I are minors.
      Nate and Bryce had been forced to swear the same thing months ago. I don't know how I'm going to do it, such a big secret. I sighed again, and closed my eyes wearily. My nightmare was over, but bad dreams are still to begin.

I wake to my father gently shaking me. "Darling, we've landed. Time to go home." I got up and stretched. Hauling my new backpack over my shoulder, I made my way off the plane. Upon getting my parents suitcases, we all stood awkwardly outside the building.
    "Thank you for alerting us when the hospital called." Cal said. Liz nodded. My parents acknowledged them and, saying goodbye, grabbed their bags and headed for the car.
      I stood there, shifting my weight from foot to foot, not making eye contact with Carson. He tipped my chin to face him.
     "Sleep well Lexi. I'll see you on Monday." A wave of emotion overtook me, and unable to speak, I just nodded. He wrapped his arms around me in a crushing hug, careful not to jostle my injuries. I pulled away and walked off in the opposite direction that he was.

I entered my house and looked around. Everything looked the same. I don't know what I expected, but it was vaguely comforting. Feeling exhausted, I excused myself to go up to my room.
       There was my bed, in the corner. My chair and messy desk looked untouched, and my Pooh Bear stuffed animal sat on my pillow. I walked in and plopped onto the bed.
       The emotions that had been bubbling under the surface rose up and my face crumpled. Throwing myself face down onto my bed, I cried. Not the same, racking sobs as in Mexico, but relieved, exhausted, happy, upset tears. I laid there and cried myself into dreamland.

He's coming. Panic rises up in my chest as I cower behind a dresser. I could hear footsteps coming closer, closer...

I wake up in a cold sweat and sit bolt upright in bed. It's okay. I think, I'm fine. I lean over to the bedside table and pick up my new cell phone. I text Carson,
You awake? -Lexi

He responds instantly.
Yes, why are you up? -Carson

I smile at my screen.
I could say the same of you. I had a nightmare. -Lexi

Same one again? -C

Yes. I'm also nervous about starting school tomorrow. We only got home 4 days ago. Do you think it's smart? -L

Yes, I think it's smart. And technically, we start school today. It's 2am. -C

I giggle to myself.

Ok, get some sleep. Good night. Thanks for cheering me up. -L

Anytime, though I'm not sure what I did. G'Night <3. -C

As I'm drifting back to sleep, I realize that I never found out why he was up.

I take a deep breath and look up at the school building. I am standing on the concrete contemplating how I will fit in. I wonder if I'll be behind in the work. I wonder if Nate and Bryce will act the same around me. I wonder- I cut off my line of thinking and force myself to calm down. I'm wearing blue jeans, red converse and a plain grey long-sleeved shirt. It's not cold out, but I want to cover my arm if possible. My long red hair is in a ponytail, and I have my makeup done prettily. I'm so grateful most of my face injuries have healed.
      I collected myself and marched toward the door. My mom had picked up my schedule earlier, so I walked straight to my locker.
       Bryce, Nate and Carson were waiting for me. "Lexi!" Nate called. I grinned at them. "Hey man!"
     "Dude, you look good! When did that happen?" Bryce said.
      I rolled my eyes. "I am never taking makeup for granted again. Welcome to the new me!"
     Carson leaned over and kissed me. "I don't want a new you." He says against my mouth.
      I pulled away, and I could see surprise and confusion registered in his eyes. Nate and Bryce gaped. "Dude, guys. When... Are you?" Bryce pretended to throw up. "Are you an item now?" Nate finished.
"Yes-"
"No-"
"We're actually-"
"Wait, did you say no?"
Carson and I spoke over each other. He looked at me in surprise and hurt. Bryce and Nate glance at each other and back away. "We'll leave you alone for this... Bell rings in five minutes though." And they left. I stood there staring at my feet. Carson stared at me. "Lexi-"
     "We'll talk at lunch." I interrupt. "More time then."
      He nods and makes a move as though to kiss me, but then remembers and walks off, not looking back.
       I grab the books I need and stalk off to class. I slip in the door and nod to my classmates, brushing off attempts at conversation.
       As I sit at my desk and take out my book, my stomach clenches with nervousness for lunch. I love Carson and being around him, and I hope he's not mad. Because he very rarely gets mad, and it's scary. But I know how it will go. He will be enraged. And knowing me, when he's all caught up in his rage, I will cower.