Breaking Free

Chapter 11

"Taylor you can't stay out of school another day," Mrs Stone persuades, tugging at the covers on my bed.

"But-"

"No buts! We let you stay home Monday and Tuesday, but it's Wednesday now and you need to go to school. Judge'e orders," she chuckles.

That's right- the judge did say I had to go to school.

I groan, and sluggishly pull myself out of the bed. Mrs. Stone leaves, and I go to my to my closet to pick out an outfit.

I pull on a pair of black leggings and and oversized light grey sweatshirt that has the coca cola logo on it. I pull my long hair into a messy, side fishtail braid- it's just one of those days where I don't even care. I don't bother putting on makeup- it's just a precaution in case I start crying at school.

I slip on a pair of black ballet flats, and sling my back pack over my shoulder, accidentally knocking down a picture frame that sits on my desk.

I lean down to pick it up, and realize what picture it is- the picture if my parents and I on our horses.

I haven't thought about them- or the secret that surrounds them- since Charcoal's death.

Charcoal- he's in the picture, too. Before I can do anything to stop it, the tears start trickling down my face, falling faster until it's the human equivalent to Niagara Falls.

"Taylor what's wrong?" Carter asks, poking his head into my room. I hold up the picture, and then fall into his open arms.

"Is this about your parents or Charcoal?" he questions.

"Both," I whisper, starting to wipe my tears away and regain my composure.

"Shhh," he comforts, hugging me tighter, his chin resting on the crown of my head. "No matter what, I'll alway be here."

I guess it's the only thing he could think to say, but those seven words make me feel okay for the first time since Charcoal died.

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"Taylor," Joy calls as soon as she spots me at school, running to give me a hug. Everyone else basically dog piles me with hugs- except Andrea. I get the feeling she doesn't like me very much, but I don't need to deal with that today.

"Thanks you guys," I mutter, thankful that they're so supportive.

"No problem Tay," Joy replies.

"We're all here for you," Jake agrees.

"Okay, I'm really thankful for all the hugs and such, but I can't breath," I choke out.

They all laugh and pul away, giving me space. Andrea is giving me a look that I can't comprehend but I don't like.

I can't focus on that- I have to focus in getting through today. That's all I can handle right now.

I see Amelia across the courtyard, laughing with her plastic possy, and eyeing me suspiciously. I brush it off, and make light conversation. I can't think of Amelia or Andrea or anything else. I just have to get through today.

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"Aren't you going to eat something?" Jake asks me as we sit at the lunch table. I bought a cheese salad and a chocolate chip cookie, but haven't taken a bite of it, instead moving the food around in my plate and grimacing at it.

"I'm not hungry," I quietly reply, dropping my fork

"Tay, you have to eat," Sky presses,
pointing her fork at my food as if it were an extension if her finger.

"You can't make me," I taunt, sticking out my tongue.

"Of course not," a sharp voice snaps from behind me. "Although I am concerned about your eating disorder Taylor. You aren't really that fat."

Amelia is standing behind me, her perfectly manicured hand resting in her hip. Her voice is laced with false concern, an annoying smirk on her face.

Normally, I would ignore her. But today, I don't have the patience. I stand to my feet, and face her, balling my hands in fists at my sides. My nails are digging into the palm of my hand so hard that my knuckles are turning white- but that is to avoid smacking Amelia's perfect face.

"Amy dear- I'm only going to say this once so listen carefully. Leave me alone. Just for today. I don't care if you mess with me everyday till the day I graduate, leave me alone today. If you so much as say one more word to me, I'm going to ruin that plastic face of yours that your plastic surgeon worked so hard," I hiss.

"Okay, okay. I was just going to ask why you weren't at the party- we all missed you," she chuckles cruelly.

I roll my eyes, and start to sit back down. She turns to leave with her friends, but not before I hear her whisper to them "I bet that she killed her horse just so that she could avoid going to the party."

My head snaps up, and before I know what I'm doing I lunge at Amelia, knocking her to the ground.

"Don't you dare being my horse into this you plastic egotistical stuck up Barbie," I shout, ripping out a lock of her hair. She starts screaming all sorts of obscenities that I refuse to put down.

"Oh my god, Taylor," Joy shrieks, as Jake and Ethan pry me off of her by my arms. I'm seeing red at this point, not able to think straight.

An administrator has made their way to us to break up the cat fight, and I sigh, realizing how much trouble I'm going to be in.

Kids are shoving their phones and cameras back into their pockets, proving to me that this will be all over the internet tonight.

So much for just trying to get through today.

A/N

Thank you for reading!
Tomorrow is my last day of school before Christmas vacation =D