The Hard Life

Suspicion

Joshua's P.O.V

I woke up feeling stiffness and throbbing throughout my body. I got up from my bed and slowly began to stretch, hearing the loud pop of my joints. I made my way into my bathroom to look for pain medicine.

Once I got my ibuprofen, I realized I only had one pill left. I swallowed the pill dry, then ran the shower.

I decided to take a cold shower to reduce the pain of the slashes covering my body. I let the cool water slide down my body, making sure it covered every inch of my body.

20 Minutes Later

I jumped out of the shower and carefully dried myself. I threw on a yellow hoodie with dark jeans and black converse. I gently ruffled my hair and made my way downstairs.

I enter the kitchen and realize my dad isn't home, which I'm not surprised by. He probably went to hammered so he could forget about last night. He most likely won't be back home until next week, which is a blessing to me.

I grabbed a banana nut muffin and my backpack and headed for the door to start my fifteen minute walk to school.

At School

When I entered the building I let out a sigh of relief, knowing I won't have to worry about Dexter for two weeks.

After I get my books from my locker, I proceed to my first period.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I'm currently in Algebra II with the one and only Nicole. I three out of six classes with her.

I walk to the back of the room to sharpen my pencil. I feel someone shove me, causing me to stumble. I feel my shirt slightly slide up my body.

"WHAT THE FUCK," yelled Nicole.

"Nicole watch your language," said Mr. Casaclang.

I refused to turn around and look at her. I desperately prayed and hoped she didn't see the slashes.

"Mr. Casaclang, may I speak to Joshua outside for a minute," Nicole asked.

I began to panic. Why would she need to talk to me? Did she see?

"Fine, just don't take too long," he said.

She motioned for me to follow her outside. I hesitated before following suit.

"Start talking now," she said with a hint of determination. 

"I don't know what you're talking about," I whispered.

"Don't fuck with me Joshua."

I silently looked at the floor.

"What the hell happened to you?"

"Nothing I just fell into a rose bush is all."

"Bullshit Joshua, that is complete bullshit. Rose bushes don't leave cuts that deep."

"Why do you ever care. You hate me, your boyfriend hates me, everyone hates me."

"I don't hate you, I just strongly dislike you a lot. I may be a bitch occasionally, but that doesn't mean I don't care about people."

"Yeah it does. When have you ever cared about anyone?"

"Right now you fucking idiot! I'm showing that I care right now! If I didn't care I wouldn't be asking what happened to you."

"Whatever, bye Nicole."

I walked into class and sat in my desk.

"This isn't over Joshua," she whispered as she walked past me.

I sighed and tuned into Mr. Casaclang's lesson.