Broken

Chapter 16: Retuning

It's been about three weeks since I was last at school.

My dad hasn't forced me to go knowing if I did, too many questions would arise. But now that I appear less fucked up, I'm being forced to go back.

You know you'd think that with all the damage he caused he'd leave me alone long enough to heal and go back to school but no. Even when I couldn't move, I was still punched, slapped and kicked around.

I was sleeping last night when my dad came in and slapped me awake, telling me I was going to school the next day, and then left.

So here I am in my bathroom, not really sure how to compose myself. My reflection is catastrophic. My hair is an uncontrollable mess of tangled curls, my dark circles are more prominent than ever, my black eye is still fading along with some cuts and bruises scattering my face, and to top it all off, I'm sick, so I'm pale as fuck.

Not even Jesus could help me now.

I still have about half an hour before I leave so I have to use it wisely.

So naturally I'm sitting in the shower crying at how I can't do this.

Productive, I know.

The alarm on my phone goes off, signaling I have twenty minutes to get ready. Using this as some kind of motivation, I turn off the shower head and dry myself off. I choose a black long sleeve shirt and low-waisted black jeans from my closet and get dressed. Returning to my bathroom, I take out my foundation and concealer and get to work on my bruises and black eye. In fifteen minutes, I was able to conceal all my dark circles and bruises, I had some hand marks around my neck that were a pain to conceal, but eventually I got it. In a rush, I quickly brushed my hair and fashioned it around the sides of my neck just in case I missed something.

My alarm goes off once more telling me I have to leave now so I pick up my school bag and phone and rush downstairs. As I open my front door I hear my dad yell my name and in a panic, I rush out the door, not caring if he's mad.

He can beat me later.

I make a quick check behind me to see if my dad followed me and sure enough, he didn't. Breathing a breath of relief, I continue my walk to school. When the large red brick building comes into view, I stop in my tracks, my heart dropping at the realization of what I'm about to do comes rushing back. I pull myself together rather quickly and finish my walk, entering the three story building.

Looking around, I find a couple people staring at me, but other than that, I'm okay. Jaxon is nowhere to be seen, nor any of his friends for that matter. Thanking my lucky starts I make my way to my first period class in hopes that my luck keeps going this way.

...

Lunch.

My favorite part of the day.

But today is different. It starts the moment I step foot in the cafeteria. I feel and catch a few people staring from their seats and it unnerves me but I brush them off and push my hair to the front of my face, keeping my head low.

I pick up some chicken tenders and fries and pay the lunch lady. I can still feel eyes on me but I choose not to check and see if I'm right and instead scope out a free table. When I spot one I sit down and eat. All throughout lunch I can't help but pay mind to all the people staring at and whispering about me. As soon as I finish eating, which due to the circumstances, was rather quick, I throw away my trash and head towards the exit of the cafeteria.

Before I can exit, I feel a hand on my wrist hold me back. I gasp and almost speak when I realize where I am. Brown eyes meet mine and my heart drops at the sight. Instead of his chocolate eyes holding the usual light mischief, they look tired and dark making me gulp in guilt.