Keeping The Pieces

Chapter 19

Chapter 19

(Music in external link!)

At school in the morning the questions are still running through my head. Why does she chose to keep me? Why won't she put me into care? And most of all, I can't just be around to be a punching bag can I?

I really don't understand, If she's got her money why does she need me? Maybe it's just her, you can't ever find reasons as to why Helen does what she does. But if she really hates me so much she would have just sent me away unless she had a reason to keep me. An unsettling pressure in my stomach sets over me. She's up to something, something cruel and unforgivable, but I don't know what.

I rest the back of my head against the cool exterior of my locker and close my eyes, hoping it will help my overloading thoughts fade away. I release a tired sigh as I feel Claire staring at me in concern. Neither Alex or Zeke are here yet so that leaves Claire and I by the lockers waiting for them.

"Are you alright Luz? You've been acting a bit weird all morning." I hear Claire say to me.

"I'm fine, just a lot on my mind." I reply truthfully.

I can tell that Claire knows there's more to it but she doesn't say anything about it except for huffing out sulkily because I'm not sharing with her what's wrong.

I sense two sets of foot steps walking through the crowded halls towards out lockers. I instantly know that it's Alex and Zeke for some strange unknown reason. I will myself to open my eyes so it's less likely they will ask me about my welfare.

"What are you guys doing, walking together?" Claire asks teasingly. "I mean walking that close to each other isn't really that manly is it?"

"Ha ha, Claire. You choke me up, I mean I wish I had such humour like you! Anyway you're just jealous of mine and Alex's sexy relationship!" Zeke retorts sarcastically. Alex and I chuckle at this.

I see Claire smile slightly, I can see a slight glint in her eye. I noticed this yesterday, when she was talking to him, all of her attention was on him. Usually when she talks to someone she's not fully there because part of her attention is on worrying about me. But this, this is so much different; she isn't even thinking about me, she's just following everything Zeke does and says.

She likes him. It wouldn't be unbelievable, she always called him at least once a week, if not more. She hardly ever talked about him but when she did, it would be with such affection. Claire has never really liked anyone before, not really. Sure she's had a few flings here and there, but those never meant anything to her.

I have now promoted myself a new task, I will get Zeke and Claire together. It sure does look like Zeke likes Claire back and if I can get them together they'll be happy and they'll have someone to lean on when I'm gone. I know I shouldn't be so pessimistic but I can't help it, I mean the chances of me making it out alive are zilch.

Anyway, away from these stupid, depressing thoughts. When the hell did I turn into a match maker? I'll probably mess it up if I try to get them together and they'll hate each other. No, I'm better of just asking them separately if they like each other, then we can go from there.

I hear a high pitched giggle from a few meters behind me and cringe. I don't even bother to hide my scowl, especially now that both Alex and Claire are also doing the same thing. Zeke just glances between us confused as to why we're all suddenly in a bad mood.

"Hi, guys!" Lacy drawls out in a sickeningly sweet voice, but I'm just waiting for her to hiss at me again. "You know Alex, I would have thought you would have at least made an effort to see me outside of class, especially since I thought we were coming along to becoming friends!" I cringe slightly and she sighs and pouts in an attempt to be sexy.