You Don't Know Me

A Bad Day

CHAPTER 16

It's finally Monday. The day of my mum's appointment.

I rush out of bed, have a shower and get dressed. I go downstairs to have breakfast and I notice my dad washing the dishes which is totally not him. 'You're awake.' I don't want to have small talk with him so I just nod my head. 'Look, I know what I've done in the past wasn't right but-'

'Wasn't right? Are you kidding me? Abusing your kid mentally and physically day after day isn't right?'

'Kiera, I understand-'

'How can you possibly understand? No one understands so don't pretend you do.' I'm waiting for the slap but it doesn't come.

 'I'm trying to get along with you for the sake of your mother.'

'Oh, so you're not getting along with your child because you don't want a relationship with me? It's nice to know.'

'I didn't mean it like that, you're twisting my words,' he says through gritted teeth. I scoff, talk about pathetic.

 'Kiera, come on, we're going to be late,' my mum's voice snaps me out of my thoughts and realise she's talking about the appointment.

'Oh yeah, I'm coming.'

'Hurry up and bring your school things, you're going straight to school after, even if I have to drag you there myself.' I nod my head and grab my school bag and folder, then walk out the door. 

~~~~~~~~~~

The car drive was really quick and now we're sat in the waiting room. I keep shaking my legs and eye the clock. 'Kiera, stop doing that with your leg.'

'I can't help it.'

'I get that you’re nervous, but everything will be okay, stop worrying so much.' I don't get a chance to reply because the doctor calls out 'Debbie Hayden,' and we get up to follow him. As we walk into the room, I can't help the shivers that run down my spine.

'Okay, Debbie, so today we're going to talk you through the procedures of what's going to happen as you have a malignant brain tumour-'

'What do you mean my mum has a malignant brain tumour?'

'Kiera, be quiet and just listen okay,' my mum hisses.

 'Wait isn’t a malignant brain tumour more serious?' I ask out of curiosity.

 'Yes, it is,' the doctor replies.

 'So no offence but why are you going to talk my mum about procedures when she needs treatment as soon as possible?'

'Kiera, I’m warning you,' jheez, it's like she doesn't even want me to be here.

 'Well, Kiera, the cancer has already spread, so we-'

'What?'

'Out, I'll talk to you at home!' My mum instantly says as she gives a smile to the doctor.

'But-'

'Now Kiera!' I get my things and leave the hospital. How can it have spread? Why didn't she tell me? How did this happen? A million questions pop up into my mind.

After a while, I turn up to school and I have to sign in at reception, since I've missed registration. I look up at the clock which reads 10.20.  Wow, we were at the hospital for an hour, excluding the twenty minutes it took me to walk to school. We were sat at the waiting room for ages and I was literally in the doctor’s room for two minutes before my own mother decided to kick me out. 'Name?' I look up and see that horrible receptionist I saw a few weeks ago.

'Kiera.'

'Kiera what?' She asks rolling here eyes and sighing in frustration. If she doesn't want this job, then she shouldn't have taken it.

'Kiera Hayden.'

'Why are you late?'

'A family problem.'

'Please elaborate.'

'Oh, did I say family problem?' I put my forefinger on my nose, to make it look like I’m actually thinking before continuing, 'I meant a confidential family problem.' I finish, emphasising 'confidential.' She gives me a dirty look before writing something down and orders 'get to class!'

'Gladly,' I say giving her a sarcastic smile. I have Psychology and I've already missed an hour of it. So just one more hour to go.

I walk into the classroom and instantly all eyes are on me. I know I’m late but surely everyone doesn't have to turn to look at me. 'Nice of you to finally join us Kiera,' Mr. Matthews sarcastically says. What a lovely way to be greeted when you’re having a bad day?

 'Erm... I was late Sir.'

'I don't want your excuses; you've already missed an hour, just sit down and pay attention.' 

'Okay.' I mumble and sit near the front at an empty table.

 'Sir, I can't see the board, can I move forward?' Asks Lucy. Why would she move away from her lusketeers?

'Yes, you may,' says Mr. Matthews and Lucy collect her stuff.

 'Please don't sit next to me,' I silently say and she comes and sits next to me. I roll my eyes and just move over.

'Don't talk to me.' I tell her as she sits down.

 'Who said anything about talking to you?'

'I think it's highly obvious.'

'Yeah, whatever you say.'

'Just shut up for crying out loud!' I reply already feeling annoyed.

'Kiera? Are you disturbing Lucy? Not only do you come late to my class but you begin to disturb your peers? That is unacceptable.'

'No, Sir, she wasn't disturbing me, I was just asking her a question and she answered, that's all.' What?

 'Lucy, you're an A* star student, don't ask,' he pauses while looking at me. He's obviously trying to find another word for stupid and I raise my eyebrows waiting for him to speak and he continues, 'lower academic students for help.' I hear people snickering around the class. He practically called me stupid.

 'Okay Sir,' Lucy says and looks at me, silently apologising for what he said and I just mutter 'don't bother,' before putting my head down and letting sleep take over me.

~~~~~~~~~~

 'Kiera!' I feel someone nudging me and realise Mr. Matthews is in front of my table. Crap. 'What are you doing sleeping in my class?'

'Sorry, it won't happen again.'

'Now where have I heard that before?' He sarcastically asks and I just shrug my shoulders. 'You are failing this class and exams are coming up in a few weeks, to be honest I don't even know why you took this class Kiera.' Again, some students laugh and I get told I'm stupid all the time, but not this blunt from a teacher. I can't keep my emotions under control so I gather up my stuff and walk out of the classroom but Mr. Matthews stops me by saying 'and where do you think you're going?' Sounding bored. 'As I am failing this class, I don't think turning up will help me.'

'Exams are in a few weeks, do you want to get a U?'

 'I guess getting a U is better than staying in here,' I reply before walking out of his classroom and run to the bathroom. I can't help the silent tears that fall from my eyes. I break down in the bathroom and all the emotions I've been holding inside just come flooding out.