Broken

Chapter 8

Chapter 8

I was midway through brushing my teeth before I realized I'd had another night filled with nothing but regular dreams. I'd walked into two different classes and found out that there were tests I'd forgotten about, been stranded at the side of the road, and chased through some kind of rain forest, but while some of those dreams had been plenty terrifying, none of them had even a touch of the surreal vividness of the one's I'd had my first few nights in Sanctuary.

Maybe they were just some kind of psychological defense mechanism popping up in response to all the changes. If so, I kind of wished I could be sick still. It's a heck of a thing to not want to be healthy, but I'd gone to bed most every night hoping I'd get to experience another one. It was depressing to realize I probably had one less thing to look forward to.

Looking at the clock, I realized I was a bit behind schedule. The bus would be here in about ten minutes, and Britney was supposed to arrive just a tad before that. It was sad, but I didn't trust her anymore, so I'd probably take the bus if she didn't show up before it did. I just couldn't risk her leaving me here without a ride. She'd been way weirded out after my collapse. I wasn't sure even the promise of Brandon's continued presence would be enough to convince her to come through on her word.

I hurried downstairs and grabbed my liquid lunch replacement out of the fridge. I was in such a hurry I almost didn't see the new note on the white board.

Sorry I missed you last night. Found a really promising spot. Left early-looked like it might work if I was there at sunrise.  --Mom

I wasn't sure what to think. In theory she might be working on stuff for the brochure, but somehow I knew she was busy chasing her dreams once again.

Good luck, I'll see you later.  --A.

My backpack creaked and groaned as I picked it up. Luckily most of my classes weren't moving as fast as I'd expected. I was far enough ahead I could start picking a few subjects and working on them every night instead of bringing home my entire locker every day.

As always, it was already heating up despite the sun having only barely cleared the mountains. It did seem like it wasn't quite as hot though. Maybe it was getting late enough in the year to bring the temperatures down slightly. It was too much to hope it would actually drop to the low seventies, even when December came around.

I made it down the lane and then really started worrying. It was like I couldn't win. If Britney drove all the way out here and I was already gone because I took the bus, she was going to be really mad. On the other hand, if she didn't show, I had no other way to get to school, and mom would freak out. Part of the reason she felt like she could be gone so much ever since the accident was the fact that I always did the responsible thing. If she started thinking I was cutting class, she was going be mad. It would be like I was behaving irresponsibly and taking away her ability to pursue her art, all at the same time.

It was past time for the bus to arrive, and she still wasn't here. A car zipped around the corner driving way too fast, just like Britney always did, but it wasn't white. I looked past it, hoping to see another one following it.

My mouth nearly hit the ground when I recognized the throaty roar and dark paint job of Brandon's Mustang.

"I knew you'd be sitting here worrying she wouldn't come."

It took a minute for the words to make sense. "Fine, but that doesn't shed any light on why you're all the way out here."

The gray eyes just visible in the slowly growing light crinkled up in a smile. "I called her and told her I'd pick you up. She can take you home, I'll come pick you up every morning."