Bliss

Chapter 9: Long Day

Matt's POV:

I wake up, my entire body sore. I look around the room in confusion before remembering where I am. Right. I ran away and now I'm lying on the small couch in Chris's room. He doesn't have a guest room and I'd rather not be passed out in the living room when his dad gets home from what I'm assuming is last call. I've slept over here a couple of times and his dad always comes home reeking of alcohol.

I sit up and see that Chris is still passed out, face down. I have no idea how he sleeps like that. I mean come on. You kind of need to breathe. I quickly get dressed, not worrying about waking Chris up. He could sleep through an earthquake. I check the time and groan. It's 7:30.

I walk over and shake Chris until he wakes up. "Dude we have to go!" I say directly into his ear. He mumbles something that sounds like 'go away.' "We're gonna be late!" I practically shout.

"Fine," he groans as he slowly gets up.

"When was the last time you were actually on time?" I ask. He shrugs as he stands up. I leave the room so he can get ready. He walks out a few minutes later, looking like living hell. We grab our bags and rush out the door. Honestly, I don't remember the last time either of us was on time to school. I would always be there 10 or 15 minutes late, but Chris wouldn't care if he missed his entire first period class. Somehow he still manages straight As. I think that it's mostly because of his girlfriend, Kelly. She really cares about education and I guess that Chris just doesn't want to let her down. They're so cute together it almost makes me sick...

We arrived to school a half hour late and frankly, I could care less. Chris and I go our different ways because the only class we have together is band which kind of sucks. I shove my bag in my locker and grab the bare necessities. I hate European History. It is by far the most boring class ever and it doesn't help that Mr. Abram is probably like four centuries old and just talks the entire time. I'm pretty sure that he has it out for me too. Well, pretty much every teacher has it out for me. Except for the band instructor and music theory teacher. They seem to like me well enough. Maybe it's because I actually pay attention in their classes.

I jog up the stairs to the second floor, dreading the moment I have to walk through that door. There's still an hour left before the period is over. A full hour of hell. I walk into the room and everyone turns in my direction. I don't say a word and quickly walk to my seat in the back of the room.

It's going to be a long day.

The bell rings, bringing my third period class to a close. Just two more classes, Matt. And they're the ones you like, too. I quickly make my way to my locker, hastily shoving everything inside and slamming the door. I weave my way through groups of people and arrive in the band room early. I'm never late for band.

I'm a percussionist mainly because I couldn't play a wind instrument to save my life, but also piano and guitar aren't exactly concert band instruments. I really wanted to be in band and I have a good sense of rhythm, so it was the best fit.

Chris walks in, just as the bell rings. He runs over and sits down on the floor next to me. Mr. Garner expects the percussionists to stand the entire time, but that's not happening. Especially for me. I don't need crutches anymore and they've put a different brace on my knee (a smaller one, thankfully), but it still can hurt like hell if I'm standing too long.

The rest of the day flies by, but that means I can go see Dom. I'm going to try to visit him after school as often as possible.

Chris meets me at my locker and we leave the school as quickly as possible to avoid the bulk of the crowd. We leave the building together, but someone grabs my shoulder just as we're leaving the grounds. I turn around and immediately recognise the person. It's Paul.

"We need to talk," he says quickly.

I look over to Chris. "Go on ahead," I sigh. Chris just nods and turns down the street. Paul grabs me by the wrist and practically drags me to his car. We both get in and he sighs rather loudly.

"What's up?" I ask, tossing my bag into the backseat.

"Mom and dad are splitting up," Paul sighs. "Dad's trying to get custody over you and I don't know why mom is fighting."

I can't believe my ears. They're splitting up? I've always secretly hoped that it would happen, but now that actually it has...

"I hope that dad gets full custody for your sake," he says, rubbing the back of his neck. "I've seen the shit that mom puts you through. Hell, she's blaming you for the divorce."

"What?" I say, completely and utterly shocked. "How the hell could it be my fault?"

"I don't know Matt," Paul groans. "I'm just glad that I'm leaving for college next fall. I should have left last year like planned. I should just look for my own place for the summer. I'm old enough, after all."

"I wouldn't blame you," I mumble.

"Here, I'll drive you to Chris's," he sighs, starting the car. It's only about a 5 minute drive and we spend it in silence. He drops me off and I rush inside. Chris is sitting on the couch scrolling through his phone.

"What was that about?" he asks, getting up and walking towards me.

I throw my bag on the ground and walk back out the door, completely ignoring him.

My life is falling apart and there's only one thing- one person who can make me happy.