Searching For A Rainbow

FOURTEEN-Carson

A week had passed since my mother died and not much had changed since that day. My father still told me it was my fault. He still hit me, more frequently now than before. But there was one thing that was different.

I was now aware of the presence of the small handgun in the lockbox under the kitchen sink- a gun that the police had returned to us after investigation that I had not known we possessed until my mother shot herself with it.

Another thing was changing, and that was that I was going to school for the first time since she had done it.

I climbed out of bed and checked out my window. No cars in the driveway. I crept out of my bedroom and checked the kitchen, living room, and finally, his bedroom. All empty. Now that I was sure the coast was clear, I grabbed my phone to text Will.

Carson: Can you pick me up for school?

Will: You're going today?

Carson: I wouldn't have asked if I wasn't...

Will: Right

Of course

I'll be there at 7:20

***

We pulled up at the school at 7:26 and Will put his car in park.

                He unbuckled and opened his door, starting to step out, before looking back and noticing that I was still unbuckled, unmoving, staring ahead of me.

                "Carson?"

                "Yeah."

                "Coming?"

                "Yeah."

                He sighed and jumped out of the driver's seat, shutting his door behind him. He jogged around to my door and opened it up.

                "Let's go Carson," he said, reaching over me to unbuckle my seatbelt, before grabbing my arms, causing me to jump, at which he flinched and I felt his eyes flick up towards mine but I didn't look their way. He paused for a second before continuing his efforts to get me out of the car.

                My cheeks were hot with embarrassment from letting him see through my façade even for a split second.

                He handed me my backpack and slung his arm around my shoulder.

                "I'm right here with you," he said, and my cheeks were red hot all over again, for a whole different reason.