Remnants of Shattered Innocence (Unedited First Draft)

Chapter 15 (October 5, 2004)

The next day, Skylar woke up feeling as if it were going to be a bad day. She tried to shrug it off, but couldn't ignore the tension in the pit of her stomach. She tried as hard as she could to keep herself from puking all morning. It was the end of math class, and so far she was successful.

Stacey didn't meet Skylar in the hall like she usually did. Skylar kept her eyes wide, looking for Stacey on the way to her next class. She wanted to at least apologize. Skylar knew it was just a miscommunication. She hoped she could make Stacey see that she hadn't meant to hurt her feelings.

She found Stacey sitting in their history class. Skylar took her usual seat next to her. She turned to try and talk to Stacey, but Stacey turned away. Skylar tapped her, not letting Stacey dismiss her that easily.

"Stacey, I didn't mean to hurt your feelings," Skylar said to the back of Stacey's head.

"Oh really?" Stacey asked as she turned to look at Skylar. "Then why is it that whenever you're grounded, I'm the only one you can't hang out with. You're never grounded when it comes to Katie or Imene," Stacey said with venom in her voice.

"It's not like that. I swear to you. I really am grounded, but Imene kind of sweet talked my mom. Just like you did," Skylar hoped Stacey wouldn't stay mad.

"I guess that makes sense," Stacey said, dropping her crossed arms. "I'm sorry I got so angry. I thought you just would rather hang out with anyone else than me," Stacey said, bashfully.

"No, I love hanging out with you," Skylar said with a wave of her hand.

"So did you make that appointment?" Stacey asked.

"Yeah, it's for tomorrow. I don't know if I'm really going to go through with it or not yet," Skylar said, looking at her hands.

"I really don't think you should," Stacey said sincerely.

"I don't think I want to, but we'll see," Skylar said as the teacher walked in.

"It figures, the days go faster when I don't want them to." Skylar thought.

Although Stacey said she had forgiven Skylar, she seemed a little more distant than usual. Skylar didn't realize just how much attention Stacey really paid to her until it wasn't happening anymore.

When the final bell rang signaling the end of the day, Skylar grabbed her large duffle bag out of her locker and planned on making her way to the softball field. As she walked down the front steps of the school, she saw her mom's car. She rolled her eyes in annoyance. As she reached the car, she tapped on the window, as a message for her mom to roll it down. When it rolled down, Skylar leaned over, resting her forearms on the door.

"Mom, I have softball practice today," Skylar said, hoping she would leave.

"Well, hop in. I'll give you a ride," She said cheerfully.

"You hate giving us rides places." Skylar muttered as she opened the door and plopped down into the seat.

"Oh, don't be silly," Samantha gave her a dismissive wave of her hand. "I think I may watch," She said thoughtfully.

"Why me?" Skylar said under her breath, hoping her mother didn't hear.

"What was that dear?" her mom asked politely.

"Nothing. I thought I was going to sneeze. False alarm," Skylar said sarcastically.

"Oh, okay," her mom said, eyeing her.

The car pulled up to the softball field and Skylar jumped out before her mother even had the car in park. She ran down to the field and sat on the bench as she changed into her cleats. Her mother followed behind her and sat on the small set of bleachers a few feet behind Skylar.