Break Away

Chapter 8

Kennedy obviously freaked out when I didn't come home all night and she almost had a panic attack when I showed her my arm. Our father's never actually harmed me this badly in one of his fits of rage, bruised skin and a few split lips were the worst of it.

I'm going to get out of here one way or another.

School raged on for another torturous week until I felt like I couldn't take it for another second, the only thing getting me through it was the fact that there's only two weeks left and then I'll be free. I've noticed Noah is almost always near me, in the halls, on the field, during sport. It's a little annoying having him follow me around everywhere especially since I think he's trying to find out who's hurting me.

No luck.

It's finally Friday and I'm having lunch on the field today, the cafeteria is quite loud, Kennedy keeps giving me looks of concern and I don't really want to sit in there. It's nice outside today, the sun's hidden behind a blanket of clouds so it's not over hot and I won't get a sun burn. Sun burn is a freaking pain in the butt, I burn easily.

I was knocked out of my rambling thoughts when I realized Noah was sitting a little way off pretending not to be watching me, idiot.

"Hey!" His head shot up and I gestured for him to come over.

"Hey Alex."

"Hey stalker, wanna have lunch with me instead of hiding around the corner?"

"Uh. I wasn't hiding but thanks."

He sat down across from me and pulled a sandwich out of his bag along with a Snapple. I had a mini pizza and a coke for lunch.

Noah grinned at me, Luck bum." He pointed to the coke.

"Want to swap?"

He raised an eyebrow, "You sure, I've got a stupid healthy Snapple."

"I actually really like healthy stuff, I don't get to eat much of it at home."

He nodded and we swapped, "Don't your parents make you eat healthy? I only got the Snapple because I was running late and it was the closest thing."

Crap, shouldn't have opened my mouth. Lie! "It's just my dad at home and he works a lot so he doesn't really buy healthy stuff, I think it's just quicker to get pizzas and stuff..." I'm such a bad liar.

"Sure, well enjoy the Snapple." He opened the coke and frowned as Will came up to us.

"Hey you two, having lunch?"

"Yeah, aren't you supposed to be dropping off that package for me?" Noah sounded annoyed.

"Done, hey Alex."

"Hi Will, how're you?"

He grinned, "Great, you coming to the party tonight? It's going to rock!"

I asked "What party?" at the same time as Noah said "No!"

"Uh."

"I'll definitely be there Will." I smirked at Noah, "Guess I'll see you there."

"I hate you both."

"Mean," Will said with a grin, "Anyway, I've got to go."

"See ya." I said as Noah just nodded at him.

"So you're having a party?"

"Yeah yeah," He checked his watch, "I have to go."

"Lunch isn't over." I frowned.

"I'm skipping out."

"What?" I asked shocked, "You can't skip."

"Yes I can. I'm guessing you've never skipped in your life." His tone was almost mocking.

"No but I've just never wanted to. I can skip anytime I want."

"Cool, skip with me today."

"Fine!" Then I realized what I'd said, "Wait no."

"Too late, you're coming."

Damn it.