We Are the Broken (WATB)

7 Months and 13 Days

Natalie's POV.

I've been alone in my head for 7 months and 13 days. Never once coming out to smile or celebrate with those people whom I used to call my friends. I'm my own personal prisoner, forced to relive that day on a constant loop. The sound slamming lockers and murmuring whirling around in my head yet nothing really seems to set in, wandering the halls with empty arms nobody expects me to say high or even look up from the floor.

Room 201, French. I stood completely still outside the classroom door before my mind got the better of me, I turned around and walked back into the rapidly emptying courtyard. Taking a seat at one of the empty secluded picnic tables I pull my headphones and phone from my bag and allowed my eyes to close. Birds chirping, Leaves rustling in the wind and the sound of teachers yelling at their classes. None of this bothered me as once again I fell into the nightmare of that night. not even two minutes later I felt someone tap my shoulder.

Tap Tap.

Tap Tap

Tap Tap

whoever was trying to get my attention was starting to piss me off. Can't they see I'm trying to sleep! I wasn't moving for a reason, I wanted to be alone and to sleep. It's the only way I can see her.

I pry my eyes open and slowly turn my head to see who is the culprit. Asher James is standing behind me with his classic smirk sitting pretty on his face. without giving him a chance to talk to me, I get up, grab my stuff and walk off in the opposite direction. After searching for a few minutes I find a nice quiet patch of grass underneath a large oak tree and the bottom of the school, near the ovals. Pulling my phone and headphones out of my bag. Once again I fall into a not so peaceful sleep.

~*~

Arriving back Home I notice that my eldest brother, Fin was sitting out on the Front Steps. Fin is 25 and has finished uni, and is currently working as a teacher at Golden beach primary school. He lives with his wife and two-year-old daughter, about 30 minutes away from where I live.

I walked up the front path. I pass Fin not opening my mouth once and continued my normal route to my bedroom. I lived in a medium two story house. This has been my home ever since I was born.

once I reach my bedroom I placed my bag just inside the door. After i placed my bag down I went straight to the bathroom which resided just across the hall. As I removed today's makeup, I couldn't help but let my mind wander why Fin was here. He really only came over for family dinners or if dad had something important to tell us. As I got into the shower I tried to push this out of my mind as I listened to the music that was playing through the Bluetooth speakers, and allowed the water to wash away any remains of today.

~*~

20 minutes later I got out of the shower, after drying my body off, I wrapped the towel around my body and started to brush out my hair. I had long brown hair that sat just above my waist. I grabbed my hair dryer from the cabinet and dried my hair. once my hair was dry I pulled it up into a ponytail and exited the bathroom. As I passed the stairs I heard yelling coming from downstairs. As I headed back to my bedroom, with only a towel hiding my body, I stopped at the top of the stairs and listened to the conversation between dad and my two brothers. Feeling something pulling on my towel I turned around and noticed my 6-year-old sister, Claire. her lips were quivering and her eyes looked like they were about to become waterfalls. I knelt down to her height before asking her what's wrong.

"Why is daddy yelling?" She asked me, her voice only a whisper.

"I don't know Monkey" I replied giving her a small rub on the top of her head, before scooping her up with one hand and carrying her into my room. I plonked her down on my bed and headed to my closet. I decided on a pair of purple polka-dot PJ shorts and a loose white tank top. Once I was changed out of my school uniform, I grabbed my Laptop and phone as well as Claire and headed downstairs.

As soon as I reached the bottom of the stairs the conversation between my dad, Fin and Noah (my brothers) paused. Just like any day of the week, when I wasn't around All they would talk about was me. They just didn't understand. That's all I wanted people to do was understand.

Letting Claire go into the living room to play with her toys I headed to the kitchen where my dad and brothers were. Grabbing a glass of water from the tap I then proceeded to sit down next to Noah on the bench stools.

"So what are you talking about now?" I asked an innocent look on my face.

"Just about school," Noah replies, not even once looking me in the eyes.

"Sure you were, Now tell me what you were talking about," I tell them all, my voice holding an angry tone.

"That we think you should back and talk to Lisa." Fin mumbled before walking out of the room.

Before anyone had the chance to say anything the doorbell rang. As I was already standing up I headed to the door, unlocking it before opening the door to find none other than Asher James standing behind it.

I shut the door and turn around facing my dad.

"What the hell is he doing here?" I question trying not to yell too loud.

"did I forgot to tell you that his family is coming over for dinner tonight? oops" He replied before moving in front of me to let our guests in.

Before I had time to think I was engulfed in a hug and the sweet smell of my old best friend.

"Hey Talia" I heard him say, well that was before I pushed him off me and sprinted up the stairs to my bedroom. The problem with that is I knew he would follow me up here.

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