Broken Branches (Bleed Me Dry/Drown Me In Sequel)

Piece by Piece

"And all of your words fall flat, I made something of myself and now you wanna come back. But your love it isn't free, It has to be earned. Back then I didn't have anything you needed, so I was worthless." Piece by Piece, Kelly Clarkson.

MJ

Walking through the halls of high school I have never felt more invisible. Yes I have a few friends but none of them are around enough for me to not have several awkward moments throughout the day where I have no one to talk to. But the best part of the day is coming. I have to wait all the way until the end of the day but it's worth the wait, AP Biology is here. I actually hate science but Holland is there and he's my lab partner giving us time to talk.

Holland and I have been friends since the 3rd grade. We still fight and bicker like we used to as kids but we laugh so much about the past that it almost feels like he hasn't become one of the most popular kids in school and that everyone doesn't long to be around him. He gets distracted so easily, one minute I'm the center of his focus the next he's off with someone much cooler than me. I have one of the best friends in the world, my friend Ardena is very loyal to me but she'll never make me love life the way Holland does. That also might have to do with the fact that I have fallen head over heels for him. I never meant to it just happened. When I first started imagining about him asking me to prom last year I thought it was just because I wanted a date. It went away when he didn't ask me and I was crushed. But then it came back. He crawls into my head at every moment and I can't stand it. Part of me wishes I still only liked him as a friend.

"Holland, airplanes should not have reclining seats," I tell Holland. We've had this fight a million times but I think we both enjoy it.

"It is a right to mankind," he laughs.

"It's an invasion of personal space!"

"Hey you two be quiet and finish your lab!" our teacher Mr. Mao yells.

Holland and I look at each other and I can see the light in his eyes. But then he looks down and we go back to work. We may goof off but neither of us wants to fail this lab.

When the bell rings Holland and I both make a run for it. The crowds of smelly people give us scowls but we race to the back entrance to beat the crowds. We always walk out of school together, it's our tradition.

"I think today was a pretty great first day," Holland starts. He then goes off another political tangent. I don't disagree with his views but once he starts he just can't stop. I nod my head and pretend to follow what he's saying while I go off into my own world.

We say our goodbyes and I practically skip to my car. The whole time I'm driving home I think about what it would be like if he loved me.

"Mom I'm home!" I yell.

"She's still at work," Andie says coming from the kitchen.

"Hey Aunt Andie!" I haven't seen her in awhile.

"You're mom invited me over for dinner tonight."

"Probably because she doesn't want to face me alone."

"Go easy on her MJ she just wants to help you."

"By keeping everything from me. I bet she's the reason my dad never comes around."

"MJ, no one knows why you're dad isn't around. Just like I don't know why Spence left me today."

"I'm sorry Andie."

"It's fine kiddo it's not over yet."

"Hey guys! How was your days?" my mom says coming in.

"Gi I think you know my answer," Andie tells her.

"Sorry," my mom replies

"It was good I guess," I tell her when she looks over at me.

We sit down and have a nice dinner, when Andie's around dinner could never be boring.

"I swear to god this grandpa visiting his granddaughter was trying to come me and I told him he smelled like porridge and to go away!" Andie says causing my mom and I to die laughing.

In the middle of our laughing fit there's a knock on the door.

"That's strange, no one comes here," I say.

"I'll get it," my mom says.

There's silence for awhile until I hear her say, "Tanner!"

"I'm here to see my daughter," the man replies, I get up and run to the door.

"Oh wow your beautiful Caroline," he calls me by my middle name.

"I go by MJ, don't call me Caroline," I tell him. I'm in shock but I do know one thing, he can't just walk back in here just to leave again.

"My bad sweetie, how are?" he asks.

"Tanner stop," my says, she doesn't seem to know what to do.

"You've never cared how I am before and you're not aloud to now," I say running away from him just like he's done to me the past 17 years.