The Story of Why

Keda - Broken

~Keda's POV~

It was November and it was starting again. The beginning of the school year, no one really paid much attention to me. I preferred it that way. But now, it's going back to the way it used to be. Sure there had been the rumours and teasing, but now they were turning their full attention on me and finding every possible way to screw me over.

Now they'll see me and push me down, or rip my homework. They'd call me ugly, fat, slut, bitch. You'd think after a few years of hearing those words every day they'd stop affecting me, but no. Each word hits me with a powerful blow. I started thinking things that hadn't crossed my mind before. Thoughts about how Drew could be with any girl he wants. What will happen if Drew finds a girl prettier than me? It wouldn't be hard. I started biting my nails. Then, as I was opening my locker, I felt a body lean against the locker beside mine. "Hey," said Marc's slow, seductive voice. He was the most popular guy at school - and the most conceited.

"Hi," I replied. He smirked, and I felt his arms snake around my waist. "Marc," I warned.

"I heard you got with some random guy you met," he said, sounding almost disappointed.

"It's not like that," I said, pushing him away and taking a step back.

"Aw, babe, come on. Don't be like that. It's okay, I won't tell anyone," he promised, winking at me. Thank God the bell rang just at that moment, so I ran away from him, all the way home.

The next few days at school were hell. I didn't see Drew at all, but he would call me everyday. I didn't know why he kept making excuses as to why we couldn't see each other, and it was starting to worry me. But I couldn't focus on that during the school day. No, those bastards I have to spend 6 hours a day with keep my mind off of everything but their constant torturing me.

Marc kept flirting. I kept escaping. But then a bunch of the girls would call me a slut...and I was starting to believe them. Which was silly, I know. Drew and I never...you know. And I've never cheated. I hope they won't tell Drew I cheated on him...maybe they already have. Maybe that's why he was avoiding me. Or maybe he just found another girl.

I shook my head. Drew would've thought it silly of me to be thinking such things. Drew wouldn't just cheat on me. He would make sure I knew there was nothing between us anymore. And he seems to care enough to call me everyday and talk for hours. I just can't see why he's been avoiding me. Maybe he wants me to come up with a date idea. Yeah, I'll do that.

I got home and dialed his phone number. He answered within the first three rings.

"Hey," he said.

The sound of his voice made me feel good. "Hey," I replied, smiling. "Got any plans for tonight?" I asked.

"On Friday night? Of course I do!" he said.

I felt pretty disappointed. "Oh," I said.

He probably heard the tinge of sadness in my voice when he quickly added, "With you! Let's watch a movie," he said.

A movie? Was he trying to be stereotypical and funny, or did he just think of that on the spot? It doesn't matter. "Yeah, sure. What do you want to see?" I asked.

"Anything. I'll pick you up in 10," he said. There was a pause, as if he were hesitating to say something, and then he hung up.

We watched Happy Feet 2 because that was the only thing playing. He took my hand as the movie was starting and he smiled at me. He held my hand the entire movie. It was kind of boring, and I found myself getting distracted by my own thoughts and worrying about Drew. I guess he was thinking a lot too, because every once in a while, he would squeeze my hand gently, as if to remind himself that he still had me. Every time he did, it seemed to bring me back to life.

I kissed him on the cheek as we walked out of the movie theatre, and he spun me around and pulled me close and kissed me passionately. I kissed him back, tugging on the front of his shirt. I missed kissing him. I missed being around him. I missed the feeling of his lips on mine, my hand in his. After he pulled away, I hugged him.

"Hey, it's okay, I'm here," he whispered in my ear, holding my head against his chest. I realized I was crying.

We stayed like that, standing in front of the cinema, until I stopped crying and pulled away. I rubbed my eyes and wiped the tears off my cheeks. "I'm sorry," I apologized.

"I'm sorry we hardly see each other," he said, looking down.

"It's fine. I like seeing you. Today was great, I just had to ruin it by crying," I said irritably. I was angry with myself. I was having a good time, why did I suddenly start crying?

"No," he said, hugging me again. "You didn't ruin anything."

I hugged him back. "I love you," I told him.

He pulled away, smiling. "I love you, too," he said, kissing my forehead. He interlocked our fingers and we walked to his car.

He kissed me goodbye. As he did so, I reached up and touched his face. He jerked back slightly. His eyes were wide for a moment, but then he regained his composure once more."Goodnight, love," he said, making his way back to his car. As he drove away I looked down at my fingertips. They were stained with cover-up. He must have gotten another black eye.

A million thoughts went through my head. His uncle had hurt him again. Every time he would show up looking hurt, I'd ask him about it. Maybe he just really didn't feel like talking about it. I really want to be able to help and talk it through with him, but now he's not giving me the chance. I pushed him far away by asking him and prying. Guilt washed over me. But then a realization sunk in, and shock overpowered the guilt. He had taken me here, to the movies, because he wanted me to think that everything was okay.

Drew was the one always telling me not to hide. Now, he was the one hiding from me.

In that moment I knew, that the Drew I met a few weeks ago and loved. The Drew that made me feel strong and like I had a purpose, was broken.