Keeping The Pieces

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

(Music in external link!)

Two weeks pass and Alex becomes pretty great friends with Claire and I. I have to say Claire being surprised about this was an understatement. Over this time I managed to get by as usual at home, getting injured every night but without the pain being unbearable.

I have told Alex a lot about myself and I haven't lied to him about anything except Helen and Cyrus. When he asked about them I told him what their jobs were and that they were not really around much because their jobs take up most of their time and because of this they hardly ever let me go out since they are trying to be as good of parents as they can without giving up their work and they are also extremely over protective. Yeah right!

Alex. The thought of him makes me all tingly. It feels like I'm floating on clouds when we're together. Like the whole world centres around him. He makes me feel...great. Amazing. Normal. I like that word. Normal. I know I'll never be it but just for a moment it feels like life could be a whole different world for me.

"Luz!" Claire shouts in my ear. I jump up banging my knee on the desk. I look around and realise the class is clearing out. I step out of my desk and wince as I step on my leg. There's going to be a massive bruise there, I give my desk a death look and I hear someone chuckle behind me.

"I would really hate to be that desk right now!" Alex says from behind me. As it turns out Alex is in about half of my classes. Which is both good and bad because I get to talk to him and he walks me to most of my classes which is fun but I cant seem to concentrate on anything but him when he's around. I really must be weird if I stare at my friend all the time because the only friend I've ever really had is Claire and I don't like her in that way.

I look over my shoulder and half grin half smile at Alex. He grins back with a beautiful sparkle to his eyes. He really is beautiful. Not just on the outside but on the in as well. From what he's told me over the past two weeks I really can't believe he exists.

I swipe my stuff into my bag and zip it up. Without asking Alex takes my bag and swing it over his shoulder and more as an after thought he takes Claire's as well.

"Thanks" I grin at him.

"Anytime L'" Alex had given me this nickname the day after I decided I was going to risk being his friend. He had a certain way of saying it. Well I guess it was just me but it seemed as if the world was but on stand still every time he said it.

We walk together to lunch, Claire and I on either side of him. They chat about nothing particularly. Not that I even bother listening when I'm so deep in thought.

We take seats at the table with the rest of the popular people in this school after collecting lunch. I feel myself zone out again but for an entirely different reason than before. Even with Alex by my side I can't block all of reality out. A shiver runs through me as I think about last nights events.

Eva wanted to help me clear up after their dinner. I usually don't but I always feel guilty about locking her away in the bedroom even if it is to keep her safe. So I let her dry the plates while I sweep the floor and wipe the table. Which was pretty stupid at the time but I know I didn't really expect what happened to happen.

After cleaning the table, I start to sweep under the table. Eva is happily cleaning a plate in a circular motion with a cloth, I can hear her humming under her breath slightly, I stop and watch her, my lips curl up slightly. She is amazing, she handles our situation like a pro, she doesn't deserve this life.

Just then a loud and over exaggerated laugh comes from the living room. A loud crash comes from behind me. I spin around and look in horror at the floor. Eva's hands are mid air as if still trying to hold onto the plate that is now shattered to pieces on the floor. Eva stares at the floor as well. I can see that the loud laugh had scared her.