The Promise of Forever (Book One: Part One) - PUBLISHED!

Chapter One

In the car on the way to school, I stare at the door handle and pray silently.

I am not going to touch it, I am not going to open the door, I am not going to…

I’m not going to jump out.

Mrs. Johnson would stop, right? Would she? I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t. She would soon get over my death and maybe life would be better for her. If I’m as worthless as he’d always told me I am, it would probably be a wise decision to end it here and now.

“Trinity, what’s on your mind?” she asks, glancing into the rearview mirror. She then focuses on the road again as we turn into my school’s parking lot. “You seem very distant. Is something the matter?”

“No, Mrs. Johnson,” I answer. “I’m fine.”

“All right.” She doesn’t seem convinced. I’ve only known her for a month, but I know she already knows me better than to believe my constant lies. “Have a nice day at school, sweetheart. If you need anything, and I do mean anything, just give me a call. Okay?”

“Yes, ma’am,” I reply. “I will.” I’m about to close the door when Mrs. Johnson stops me.

“One last thing: Please call me ‘Mom’,” she says sweetly. I can see empathy in her soft brown eyes. “I know I might not have much time left with you – who knows how long it may be, but I want you to feel at home. If you’re not comfortable enough with me, then that’s okay and I’d understand.”

“I’m sorry… I… I… I can’t.” I close the door before she can utter another word and, with my head down as if admiring the pavement, quickly walk away.

I can’t because ‘Mom’ is a name I despise. It’s like… a bad word. In my head, anyway. I like Mrs. Johnson way too much to call her that.

“Hey, there she is!”

Instantly recognizing the voice, I run without a moment of hesitation. I run as fast as my legs will take me. When I look back, I see that they’re gaining on me, so as soon as I find the bathroom, I duck inside. Surely they wouldn’t dare come in here.

The door opens and the first person I see is the leader of the pack’s face as he hurries in my direction. The members follow closely behind.

I bang on the closest stall, but hear, “Occupied! Patience please!” then dart into the nearest one that I’m sure is open, locking it behind me with a moderate amount of trouble. Fear causes my sweaty hands to slip, making me panic even more.

I back up as far as I can, then sit on the toilet lid and pull my knees up to my chest as I shake uncontrollably.

“Hey beautiful!” Gary says loudly, as if his voice won’t be heard if he doesn’t. His voice is naturally loud. “We just want to apologize for our behavior toward you. It’s just that you’re so beautiful that we can’t help ourselves. Blame teenage hormones.”

“Leave me alone!”

Gary and his friends laugh, and I figure that it’s at my super girly voice. I’ve never liked my voice because it’s devoid of bass and often causes me to lose the respect of others. That’s what I’m guessing the issue is, anyway.

“I miss your pretty face,” Gary says in a whiny voice. His hand suddenly appears under the door and slowly, it inches toward me, crawling creepily. “You can’t hide in there forever. Come on, Church Girl. Bless us with your pretty face.”

“Just go away!”

“No,” he replies, mimicking my voice. In his normal one, he says, “Fine. If you won’t come out, I’ll go in…” Gary’s head follows his hands under the stall door, tilted and low to the tile floor in order to fit under.