Empêchement

Blue Hair

A week later

My emotions had built up inside me and I couldn't hold them in anymore. So, I spent the night before the first day of school sobbing into my pillow.

The first few days after I 'ran away' were okay, my family talked to me and it seemed like things were on the mend. Then I said that I was going to go over to Alice's house and everyone acted like I had just sinned in a church.

Mom said I could go, but dad didn't say anything. I guess the 'Go ahead' that mom gave me was some kind of code for 'go and I'll shun you' because when I got home the next day no one would say more than a few words at a time to me.

I also couldn't help but feel like there was something else going on that I didn't know about. There was no way my family could have been that concerned about me, and then not even say 'hi' when I come home, but this didn't feel like anger, more like worry. Almost like they were ignoring me because they were so worried. I was confused, but It's not like there was a whole lot I could do about it.

Whether there was something else going on or not, I had become the outcast of the family.

I rolled over on my bed, my chest aching and my eyes burning. I took several deep breaths. Crying always made it hard for me to breathe.

Time didn't seem to matter while I laid on my bed and stared at the ceiling. I didn't think about anything, and nothing seemed important. It was when I heard my mom walk by my door saying, "It's eleven forty, Mike." to my dad that I decided I needed to function like a normal human being and maybe get some sleep.

Usually, I'm excited for the first day of school, but this year, I hated it, and I didn't even know what the teachers' names were yet.

I rolled out of bed, dragging my comforter with me. The ground swayed under me as I got dizzy and my vision went black for a moment. I must've gotten up too quickly. Despite being half blind, I made my way to my dresser, letting my vision clear as I walked.

I changed out of my favorite pair of ripped jeans and put on pajama pants. My shirt was big enough to comfortably sleep in, so I didn't bother changing it.

Instead of getting into the bed like a normal person, I flopped onto the mattress and screamed into the pillow because I felt like it. Then I curled into a ball, grabbed the comer of the comforter from the ground, and struggled to wrap it around me and over my head.

There were only a few things that were going to be good about tomorrow. I told myself. 1) I would get to see Alice again, 2) it was a new school with no bullies that would single me out specifically, and 3) I'd be able to get out of this damned house.

My phone lit up and buzzed, demanding my attention. Urgh. I reached out of my blanket burrito and grabbed the phone.

Hey. Can't wait for tomorrow!

It was Alice. She and I had exchanged numbers after she was able to get cell service in the mountains.

Pretty exciting isn't it? I typed back, trying not to damper her mood.

She replied almost instantly as if she had already typed it out and was just waiting for me to respond.

It is! But I've been super worried. What should I wear?

She sent me four different pictures. Each of them were subtle based on the other things in her closet, but they would definitely attract attention.

How about the blue jean capris and that crop top? Make sure to wear a tank top under it so you don't get dress coded, and high tops. I suggested, combining several aspects of the outfits into one.