DAMAGED

chapter7 ☪

•••
Kassie's POV

I awoke to my snooze-less alarm. Everything from last night I'd forgotten - until I heard someone say "angel" on TV. I showered, brushed my teeth, combed my hair, and got dressed for school. I didn't feel like eating breakfast, so I skipped it.
I made sure to say goodbye to Jarett and Tuvi before leaving.
My car had plenty of gasoline left, and I was happy that I had gotten my license early once more. Now I could avoid the awkward, silent rides to school with Jarett.
I stopped by my locker as soon as I entered the school, but I didn't see Wolfie anywhere, and that's when it hit me.
He had gone walking back to his house. If only I would've remembered, I could've lent him my car so that he could've at least just
I don't even know.
My heart decided to run a marathon in place, probably. I mean, how else would it be beating so fast as I entered art class?
I sat down next to Jerry, taking a deep breath. "Wolfie skipped today?" I asked him. He nodded. "He didn't even bother showing up to home room like always."
I shrugged, hoping Wolfie wasn't dealing with pissed-off parents.

~~~

After what seemed like ages, I was in dismissal. I went to the vending machine as usual, looking for my spare dollar bill. To my luck, Esperanza was talking to her slut friends nearby. I inserted the dollar bill just as she came up to me. I wouldn't let her humiliate me again.
"Have you heard from Wolfie? I haven't since he was in my room last night. It's much more comfortable than the janitor's." She laughed bitterly.
"He probably hated what you did last night and doesn't want to know about you anymore." I shrugged. Don't let her get to you.
"Aw! The cute little girl is actually trying to defend herself! How adorable!" She shot back.
"Just shut your pieholes... And yes, I mean both of them." I blurted out.
Some people laughed, but I knew that this time it wasn't at me. "Ooh, kill 'em, Kassie!" Someone yelled.
I frowned at the comment and laughed. "Did you just talk back to me? I mean, I thought we were friends! You're like my little sister who's so ugly she's cute!" Esperanza exclaimed.
"I talked back because I felt like it," I smirked, walking away like a pro.
Woah. Wolfie has affected me.
I opened my bag of chips and walked to my car in the parking lot. I took out my keys and opened it.
It was a quiet ride home, with not much thinking done and just focusing on the road.
Finally, though, I was at my destination. I got out of the car and locked it. It beeped twice to reassure me as I took the house key in my hands.
I opened the door and headed straight to my room. I threw my duffle bag onto a bean bag and changed into my pajamas. I slid under my covers and drifted off to sleep while watching some family sitcom on TV.

~~~

I woke up at 3 in the morning, unable to go back to sleep. I gave up and snuck downstairs. I opened my beautiful fridge and found cookie dough ice cream. I took it out and prepared two scoops for myself.
After eating it by myself on the couch, I headed back upstairs to shower, wash my hair, and iron it after it dried.
I picked out a good outfit for school and got dressed. I checked the clock, which revealed it was 5.
I brushed my teeth and headed downstairs.
Grabbing a pencil from a kitchen drawer, I left a note for Jarett before heading outside.
I opened the door and spotted my neighbor Albert arguing with someone. I unlocked the car, still looking next door. I saw Wolfie on the other side of the discussion.
I decided to go see what was happening. "I need a loan." Wolfie told Albert, irritation clear in his voice. "Aren't you underage? Besides, I'm not giving you the money. Either you have it and buy the apartment, or you don't have it and you get nothing." Albert sighed.
"I know another way I can get the apartment," Wolfie growled, "But then I'd be in jail."
Albert laughed. "Yeah, you'll be locked up alright - with your sorry ass beat by me."
I knew what would be coming.
"Wolfie, please don't," I pleaded.
He turned to look at me. "I thought I told you to stay away from me."
He glared at me coldly.
"But I-" I began, right when Albert punched his face. I shivered at hearing the impact just as Wolfie delivered a swift blow to Albert's face ten times harder.
I winced as I heard a cracking sound. Albert immediately covered his bleeding nose with his hand. I found myself trembling as he groaned in pain.
Wolfie's lip was bleeding, and he didn't even seem to notice.
"You should have listened the first time I told you to stay away from me."
He walked back to a car, getting inside it and soon leaving.
I turned to help Albert. "I'll go get you some ice. I'm so sorry," I apologized without knowing why, running back to my house to get ice.
What apartment? What loan? What?
I got him an ice pack and helped him limp back inside his house. "You should probably stay away from him, Kassie," he croaked as I got him some water.
"Why?" I asked.
"If he did this to me because I wouldn't give him a loan to get an apartment, imagine what he could-" He started, but I interrupted.
"He's not going to hurt me. Even if he was, I believe it's my situation." I tried saying as politely as possible.
Albert shrugged, reaching to get the remote. I got it for him and sighed.
"Thank you, Kassie." He said curtly.
I nodded, getting my bag and leaving. I opened my unlocked car door and drove to school.