Miserably Delightful

chapter 2

 "Everyone's pissed at you," Micah said to me as I walked into the kitchen. He was sitting on the kitchen counter, something Momster would probably have a conniption fit over if she saw him. He was only in pajama pants, even though school started in 20 minutes.

"I figured they would be," I sighed as I pulled open the fridge, searching for a water bottle to bring with me to school. "Especially Zain. I think he's always mad at me now a days though."

"That's not true!" Micah quickly rebutted, always ready to defend Zain, even when our older brother didn't need it.

My lips drew down into a tense frown and I shrugged, looking around the kitchen for anything I might have been forgetting. I knew that Micah was trying to make me feel better, but I also knew that after everything that had happened in the past couple of years it was rather difficult for me to speak to my oldest brother without us getting into an argument. I loved him, and he loved me, but it was difficult.

He wanted the best for me, and I had already given up on taken care of myself.

I turned and eyed up the youngest of my brothers, suddenly realizing that we were missing a member of our joyful bunch. Marie and Micah's classes started in 20 minutes, and Micah wasn't even dressed yet, while Marie might still be asleep. I briefly contemplated trying to get them rounded up and ready, then checked the time and sighed. I had to get to school, which meant it was up to my siblings to take care of themselves.

It was times like this when I wished that Knox still went to school with us. He was the best at getting Micah and Marie to behave, but of course, my two eldest brother's had their own things going, meaning that they were completely oblivious to what occurred in our household. Including, how our parents treated us. I swallowed hard as I thought about the summer of punishments and chores I had been forced to sustain.

"I have to go now," I announced, turning to face Micah. "I'll see you after school, maybe."

"Have fun at your first day of public school!" Micah called after me, snickering. "Also, be prepared for Knox to talk with you after school!"

I held in my tears and my groan until I was in my Mustang, and then I took a few seconds to lean my head against the steering wheel, collecting myself. I had to get myself together before I left, it was my first day at this school and I couldn't afford to cause ripples. Enough people were going to know I was, and I wanted to remain under the radar as best as I could.

Ashley Waters was notorious for it's awful reputation, and if my parents cared more for me, they probably would have found a more suitable school, but they couldn't care less when it came to getting their children out of their hair. All they cared about was the fact that I had requested public school, and gleeful to spend less money on me, they quickly accepted and set me up for the public school that was closest to us.

As I pulled into the parking lot of my new school, I hesitated, wondering if my parents would ever know if I skipped school. Even as I thought it, I knew that if Marie found out, she would snitch, and then I would be in real trouble.

I heaved a heavy sigh, then dragged myself from the car, hesitantly making my way into the building, chewing on my bottom lip. The halls were filled with many people my own age, and almost as soon as I had walked in, eyes were on me. Some eyes were narrowed with suspicion, other's wide with disbelief, and the sudden attention had me itching with discomfort.

"Hey! You! I saw you last night!"

I froze, my eyes widening, terrified to turn around and see who exactly it was calling my attention. I took deep breaths, and braved it, calmly turning to face the person who was trying to catch my attention. Relief flooded through me when I found it was the boy who had saved me from the awful guy, Greg.