I'm More Than My Scars

Coming Home

I crept through the front door and hoped I wouldn't come face to face with my sister, Jeanie. She would have my ass if she knew what happened. What would I even tell her? That I was "texting and driving and almost killed someone but it's okay because the cop let me get away with it"? Right, because that would definitely get me off the hook.

I untied my black Converse and slid them off both of my feet. I stood and removed my pink jacket then rubbed the sleepiness out of my eyes. I yawned and trudged down the hall into my room.

Once in my room, I slid into my comfy bed and sunk my head into my pillow. I was finally relaxed after one hectic morning. Using my pointer finger and middle finger on both hands, I rubbed my temples to get rid of the massive pain that throbbed inside my head.

I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and I froze. Who could that possibly be? Jeanie went to work, and my mum was in Ohio.

I slowly climbed out of my bed and placed my feet on the floor. I tiptoed to the hallway and looked at the basement door. The footsteps kept coming, and so did the fear that was rising within me. I took a deep breath to calm myself, but I was interrupted when someone started pounding on the door. I jumped back and held my heart. Gathering my courage, I stood up straight and strutted to the door. They pounded on it again and I gasped, but I still had enough courage to ignore my fear and open the door.

Wait, what?

"Chris? What the hell!?" I shrieked as his eyes widened.

"I came here looking for you! You weren't answering your phone and I got worried!" He started to twiddle his thumbs-he does that when he's nervous or embarrassed. "I wanted to make sure you were okay. And when you didn't show up for school, I expected the worst... I'm sorry," he said while keeping his eyes glued to the floor and occasionally glancing at the ceiling, but never at me. I hated to see him upset. I pulled him into my arms and wrapped them around his neck.

"Oh, Chris, it's okay. A lot happened this morning. I should've told you. You should get back to school, babe," I suggested while pulling away. His eyes widened and he ferociously shook his head no. "And why not?" I questioned while tilting my head. He remained unresponsive and decided to make himself at home. "What about your parents?" I tried again, "Wouldn't they care to know that you've skipped school?" He examined his hand and shook his head no again. He was acting strangly. "Babe, look at me," I demanded. He ignored me and chewed on his fingernails. "Christopher Allen. Look at me right now!" He sighed then glared at me.

"You know I hate that," he said then faced away from me.

"I'm just trying to figure out what's wrong. Why don't you want to go back to school?" He slowly turned to me and let out a long breath.

"Is it true?" He squinted as he asked as if it pained him to want the answer. I looked into my lap and tried to ignore his question. He got fed up and started to raise his voice. "I am talking to you. Is it fucking true or not?" I was pulled back in surprise. He had never shouted at me before. "Well?"

"No."

Part of it is...

There was that voice again. I couldn't tell him. It would crush him. I let tears pool in my eyes and I covered my face with my sweaty, shaking hands. Chris growled and got even more aggrivated than I had already made him.

"Jade, you better not be lying to me. I trust you enough to belie-"

"Its partly true!" I blurted out. He stood there, stunned. "I'm sorry I didn't tell you. I didn't know how you would react. I'm sorry," I spat out my words as quickly as I could. He stumbled backwards and grabbed his head.

"What?" He paused for a moment before looking into my eyes and saying, "We are...done." I gasped. He didn't mean it. He couldn't! After everything...he couldn't just...leave...but he was. And he did. I let him go to save both of us the trouble of a painful goodbye. More than it already was, at least. My heart ached and I couldn't think straight because just like that I lost my best friend, my lover, and my other half. I curled up into a ball and held myself for a while. I just cried and cried until I ran out of tears.

I pushed myself off of the couch and stumbled into the bathroom. In the mirror, I didn't see my reflection. Well, I did, but it didn't look like me. The reflection was stressed and angry. It was so torn and broken that not even all the King's horses and all the King's men couldn't put it back together again.

I grabbed a washcloth and ran it under warm water. I squirted some soap on it then scrubbed my face free of makeup and dried tears. I couldn't let this get to me.

Not like you got to Chris.

I blocked out the voice and ran into my room to fetch my makeup pouch. I applied concealer and foundation, then eyeliner, then mascara, and then painted my lips a bright shade of red. I pulled my hair out of a messy bun and let it flow down my back. I grinned at the new, stunning, confident and powerful reflection and said to myself, "That's more like it."

I grabbed my purse out of my room and jogged outside to my car. I started my car and rolled down my window. Just as I was about to throw it in reverse, my phone rung. I didn't recognize the number, but I answered anyways.

"Hello?"
(Jade?)
"Speaking."
(This is Officer Puckett. We have news about Michael McCall.)
"Who?"
(Michael McCall. You know, the young man from the accident?)
"Oh. Yeah? What about him? Is he alright?"
(He's making a great recovery, but...his sister isn't. She's worried about him and wishes to speak you.)
"Uh, okay. Um, when? I'm a little busy this week."
(Whenever. Just contact me at this number and I'll let her know. Her name is Delilah, by the way.)
"Okay. Thanks for the update."
(Yup. Take care.)
"You too." I heard a click on the other end of the line and I put my phone down beside me.

Now you get to meet the sister of the guy you nearly killed. What are you gonna say to her? 'Sorry, it was an accident'?

I shut my eyes and let out a scream.

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Sorry that it took so long to update. I haven't had the chance to do much writing recently... I hope you guys enjoyed this chapter!
~QueenOfDispair~