Made to be Broken

Chapter 3

Sorry another short chapter, but here you go! I'll try to make them longer in the future (maybe). But I have a feeling I'm going to updating fairly frequently because a) I have a lot of ideas about where this story is headed and no idea at the same time (if that makes sense) and b) I'm taking a creative writing class this semester, so I can write in school too!

Anyways, I hope you enjoy! Any feedback is super duper appreciated! :)

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By the time we reached the mall, the bus was packed. I stood by the door, hoping to get off quickly and not get stampeded. The mall was the most busy stop.

In a town as small as Witchner, I was lucky there were many bus stops throughout the town. And the main reason was due to the mall.

It was more of a shopping complex than a mall, with four separate buildings connected with a small park in the middle. It wasn't too huge, but it was the biggest one in the area and there was a fair amount of variety. It even drew in people from the surrounding towns.

The bus lurched to a stop in front of the arch signifying the entrance, 'Amber Shopping Center' written in huge wooden letters across the top. I moved quickly and managed to be the first one off. And as I predicted, a huge mass of people followed with quite a few waiting to get on. I turned around and kept walking, glancing at my watch. 9:24. Still an hour until I had to work.

After walking through the entryway, I went over to the map at the front. I'd been working there for two years, but I still wasn't sure where every store was. I moved in front of a very confused looking family to find The Bronzer on the map. Building C.

I left the now annoyed looking people and went to walk across to the area to the farthest building. I could've cut though the park but decided against it because of how much time I had.

There were people milling around but the area was nowhere near busy. So, as I walked, I found my mind drifting to a place where I didn't want it to be.

Cade.

My anger boiled up. He'd invited me to go to the boardwalk last night. Forgetting to mention that a ton of other people were coming too and that we were picking up some people there. And that I wouldn't have a ride home, with him at least.

I was done; I was so done with him this time. There was no way he was getting forgiveness.

Anger was okay. But then I began to feel the dull ache at the base of my throat.

Nope. Not okay.

I clutched my bag tighter and took a sharp turn, heading to the trees beside Building B.

Once I was cloaked between the thick trees and the brick side of the building, away from everyone else, my hand immediately dropped into my bag, fumbling around. My searching fingers finally found the cardboard carton and yanked it out, causing a piece of paper to fall into the dirt. My hand went back in, deeper this time, until I found my lighter too.

I pulled a cigarette out and dropped the half empty carton back into my bag, which now rested on the ground. I flicked the lighter and brought the flame to the tip that wasn't stuck between my lips. It started to smoke, and I inhaled, the thick stuff sliding down my throat. Much to my dismay, my thoughts of Cade didn't fade (not like I really expected them to), but the familiar taste was calming.

Until I went to put the lighter back into my pocket...

The deja vu was so intense that it seemed like a harp should be playing in the background, like a shitty sitcom.

*flashback*

"I told you I didn't want any presents," I grumbled, crossing my arms.

He shrugged. "Oh well."

The bitter air pinched my cheeks and I was sure my nose was already as red as Rudolph's. "I gotta get back to work," I said quietly. "Plus, it's freezing out here."

"C'mon, be nice," he complained, rubbing his hands together. I clutched my jacket closer to me as the wind blew past again and rolled my eyes.

He looked at me for a second before his hand shot out of his pocket and put what he was holding into my jacket pocket instead. And despite my hatred of birthday presents, curiousity got the best of me. I maintained eye contact with him as I pulled it out of my pocket.

A lighter. That's what it was, I realized as I looked down. The decoration was Santa's face grinning at me, but with a set of shining gold teeth instead of white ones.

I felt a smile creep up my face. When I looked back up at him, he had a smile too, but his was more sheepish. He ran a hand over the back of his neck and suddenly began to talk awkwardly fast. "You said you liked it in the store, and I figured since it's so close to Christmas...Plus like you always use matches and those suck and yeah..." he said all in one breath. I smiled even wider as he rambled. I never thought Cade would be adorable.

"Thank you," I whispered, meaning it. He just shrugged again, but I could see the shadow of a smile on his face.

"I mean, thank you." I moved a step closer to him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

He grabbed my hips and pulled me towards him. "You're welcome," he replied, his voice deep as he leaned down to kiss me.

*end flashback*

The trees had changed with the seasons, the spindly, knobby branches now covered in brightly colored leaves. The ground wasn't hard and cold, but warm. A decaying leaf smell hung in the air instead of a chill.

But it was the same place.

That was the same wall that he pushed me up against after his lips met mine. The same scratchy bricks that I worried would ruin my jacket in the back of my mind.

But most of it was focused on Cade. And the warmth his hands and his lips provided, even in the cold weather. And the garish, cheap little lighter that was somehow so important.

It was too much. I had to get away from this freaking place. The pressure grew in my throat, and I felt that horrible tightening, similar to when you swallow something sour. I threw the lighter to the ground, unable to look at it any longer. It landed where I couldn't see, but that was good. I took one more puff of the barely used cigarrette and ground it harshly on the wall.