Always

Chapter 10

I huffed in annoyance as I turned left into an alley. The sun had set minutes ago, making the alley full of shadows, and honestly a bit creepy. I held onto my sides as I got afraid of where I was going. The rain was drizzling against the cold pavement and my shoes were making slouching sounds at every step I took.

I scrunched my nose as I passed a few dumpsters filled with garbage and what not. It smelled like they had dumped a body in here.

I pushed the familiar door, cautiously turning the door knob. "Damn it!", I snapped.

I kicked my foot at the door in annoyance, causing me to grab it back in pain. That would definitely leave a dark bruise in the morning.

I sighed and ran my hair into my now drenched hair. The only time I needed to use the back entrance, it was locked.

We used to live on the third floor of this building and when I'd had stayed late outside, usually at Jared or Dan's house, I used to sneak in by this door and make my way through the apartment.

My mom had bought the whole floor, wanting the space for an art studio. I thought it was totally unecessary at the moment but later realised, after a couple of beaten down walls, that the idea was actually smart.

It was a good apartment, in the middle of Darmouth, a fifteen minute walk from school. Plus, the bus stop was right around the corner.

The circle meetings have been held in the basement since I can't remember. It's probably one of the main reason Mom bought an apartment right above it. Only her and I knew about this door, that's why we usually kept a key hidden in the alley.

I snapped my fingers at the idea.

With the months of grieve, and the fuss of moving around and scattering money to be able to attend school, I forgot to remove the extra key from its spot.

I walked further into the alley and turned behind a dumpster. I looked around to make sure no one was near, not that anyone would be here at such time, and leaned down.

I scrumbled blindly my hand around the old gutter that was leaning against the wall .

"Yes!", I cheered to myself feeling the cold metal object on my skin.

I walked back to the door, silently wishing the new owners didn't change the door locks. The lock twisted and the door squeaked as it opened. I placed the key back to its place and stepped through the door.

It led to stairs going downstairs and to a narrow hallway.  I started walking down to the basement, the stairs creaking under my weight, and immediately noticed an old smell plastered on the walls. This room probably wasn't used in the past few months.

Knowing this building inside and out, I made my way in the darkness towards the restroom. My hands went over a wall where the door should be, and well enough, I felt a broken door knob under my fingers. The door squeaked open- I swear everything is so old in here- and I fumbled to turn the light switch on.

I jumped in shock as I saw my reflection in the broken mirror above the sink. My hair was flat out wet, laying until just below the crook of my neck. The water made it darker, almost a vivid dark and sticking to my skin.

Grateful I didn't put any makeup today, I removed my sweater and threw it on the ground. I twisted the hem of my t-shirt that hung just above my jeans, leaving less than an inch of my skin exposed. Water fell to the ground and I stepped backwards, admitting to myself that there was nothing else I could do to look more suitable and less homeless.

All of this because of a stupid rich shithead who couldn't bring his little stupid rich ass to give me a ride. Derek was such a self concerned cunt, storming off without such thing as an explanation. I mean, he couldn't even have somewhere else to be. You can't skip a circle meeting, that's against one of the unrelevant rules our circle has. That is unless you were shunned like me.