Shards of a Heart

Chapter 13

Chapter 13 - Now

"Look Alec, Just cause you failed at protecting someone else doesn't mean you need to be my dad" Like I hoped, he was shocked. I watched as he tilted his head slightly as if he was not quite sure what I was bringing up. "Yeah, don't think I don't know all about your blunder with that oh so precious sister of yours. If she actually had a brother who cared maybe she'd be the one you be protecting right now, not me. If you're that desperate to make amends, do it with someone else."

Alec stands silently, his clouded eyes changing into hurt, and for a second I feel bad. Then, as if it didn't happen, they get darker.

"You don't know everything about that" he snarls. His eyes look behind me for a second then dart back to mine. "We all have secrets Celia. I misjudged you - you're not innocent because you have your own. But you're still oblivious to the disaster waiting to happen." At the end, his eyes slide off mine again and he sticks up his hand. I watch as his flips me off and open my mouth to protest, but a warm hand slides around my side. Alec was gesturing to Francis. He looks back at me once then struts off towards the 'Study' hall.

This time, I feel safe in Francis' arms as he circles in front of me. I meet his eyes, which must be reassurance that Alec didn't hurt me, because Francis grabs his drink in one hand and my hand in the other. He slips my backpack back on one shoulder as I grab my tea, and we head out the door.

Alec's reaction to me with Francis made me want to do anything to tick him off. Suddenly, I am completely okay with Francis' hand in mine. I rest my head on his shoulder, which by the way is at the perfect height.
After a few minutes of comfortable silence, we are back in the school's parking lot. I see my car and slip my hand out of Francis'. He throws a questioning look at me as I slide my bag off his shoulder, and I laugh lightly.

"I can drive myself home, I do have a car." He watches as I pull out my keys and unlock it with a smile. I wave as I walk to my car, but he follows

"Hey darling?" He opens my door for me and presses the button for the window in the same motion. As soon as I get in, he shuts the door and leans against the now open window. "Can I ask you what Alec was talking to you about? Does he have class with you or something?"

"No, he doesn't. I didn't even know he knew me. I personally only knew him because he beat someone up at lunch"

"Celia, everyone knows you. You're new"

"Oh." I keep forgetting this was a small school. "Anyway, I took a sip of your drink and coughed - a lot - because it was spicy, so he commented about how I was an idiot and it escalated from there." I lie, hoping he didn't overhear too much. He shakes his head and laughs at me, so I take it as a good sign.

"I'll see you tomorrow darling" He smiles, then stand back. I start my car, then I slowly pull out while Francis watches me. I look in my mirror to see him walk away, then roll up my window, smiling.

I have one thing on my mind the whole way home: I need to email Jade.

Dear Jade,
    Sooooooooo. I did it! It was... well different than I had expected. Then again I didn't know what to expect because I'd never experienced something like that before. I wish you were here to talk to me. I'm in my room right now, hiding from Dad. He was yelling at who knows what when I got home. Normally he's not even here. I have homework to catch up on - I already have a paper in English to do. I thought by senior year I wouldn't have to do as many... ugh.
    By the way, if they have rose petal and dandelion root tea where you are, try it. I was surprised how good it was.
With all my heart,
~ Cee

    I jump after I press send. There was a loud crash downstairs. I listen closely to see if I hear my Dad picking up whatever he tipped over. Nothing comes, not even a complaint. I get up from my desk and head out of my room, my feet creaking on the floorboards.

    "Dad?" My socks slip on the stairs as I start moving faster. When I reach the middle landing, I grab to banister to stop me from sliding into the wall, then take more cautious steps. I don't see my dad, and I definitely don't hear him. Worried, I step into the living room.

    I see the cause of the noise first. His beer, which was in a bottle this time instead of a can, is smashed to pieces on the wall. I can smell it as it drips on down the gray paint and onto the hardwood. I turn t find my dad on the opposing couch, his head bent and holding his stomach.

    "Dad? Are you okay?" I wonder and touch his shoulder. Now I can see him breathing heavily. He slowly shakes his head 'no'. "Is it your stomach? Did you drink too much?"

    I wait for an answer, but instead he pulls his hands out. The left one looks fine, but as my eyes graze to his right, I see the blood.

    I used to hate the sight of blood. It bothered me, the imperfections on the pure skin. But since February, when I had seen so much of it, it didn't faze me.

I sigh audibly, making sure my dad heard, then I grab a towel from the kitchen. As I clean his palm up, he just continuously whisper one word. At first I can't make it out, but when I force him to lay down, he says it louder.

"Sorry," I watch his lips form it under his scruff. It annoys me, and he knows it. I hate not being able to see his face between his long textured hair and beard.

"Dad, stop. Get sleep. Talk to me when you're not drunk" I can't look him in the eyes. My own tear up, so I turn away and head back to my room.

This wasn't the first time that had happened. Sometimes it was worse, but when he woke up he'd always clean up his mess and pretend it never happened. I think that maybe he didn't even remember it and so by cleaning it up he would think I never knew.

The only difference about the next morning is that the pieces of the bottle are still on the floor. I groan and clean it up myself, tears falling down every now and then. He didn't even care anymore.
I tie the garbage bag and decide to take out the trash. As I head out I nearly scream out loud.
Dad is staring off into space on our front porch.

"Dad!" I drop the bag and cross my arms. "You're supposed to be at work!"

"No," He doesn't look at me, so I move so that I'm positioned in front of him. His eyes travel to the ground.

"What do you mean?" My voice cracks, so I clear it.

"I don't work" He stands and pushes past me. I try to follow, but he locks the door.

I stand there in shock for a second, then pick up the trash and take it to the can at the end of the driveway. Water falls on the white bag, so it must be raining. I glance up, and my eyes fill with water, but not from the clouds. There aren't actually any clouds in the sky. I toss the tear spilled bag, then shrug to my car. Thankfully I had showered and gotten ready before heading downstairs, so I was mostly ready for school.

I get to Hawthorne early. In the mirror I can see my dark ocean eyes are red from crying the short way over. The back lot is empty, since no one is here expect teachers, who park in a separate lot. I search my car for an extra bag to use as a backpack, but come up empty.

A truck pulls in near the door and parks in the closest spot, three rows ahead of me. With nothing better to do, I watch as the driver turns the truck off and reaches behind him/her to grab a bag. Then, the black door swings open and a boy with shaggy dark hair steps out. He looks behind him and squints at my car.

It's Alec. Now why would he be here so early?

• • • • • • •

Sooorry for all the flaws. I'm in my last week of school and I have been piled with exams. Thankfully, I was able to bring my History grade up (I literally suck at history) and I have a B+ in English! ( and that's good, only one person has an A) yayyy

My friends got to dress up as greasers and watch the Outsiders today in their English. I was so jealous.

Anyway.

Stay Gold,

AJ♥️