These Broken Hearts

Chapter 2

I wake up with a start, my heart pumping in my chest and a cold sweat all over me. My heart starts to pounds faster as I look at the unfamiliar surroundings, only to remember that we moved and this is my new room. I hate that everything is so unfamiliar, it’s like my old life never even existed. I look at the clock and see it’s only 7:00 and I still have at least another hour before I need to worry about getting ready for school. I crawl off my mattress and head towards one of the boxes labelled posters, temped to put some up and decorate the dull white walls. The longer I start at the walls the more certain I am that I should re-paint, deciding to go to the nearest hardware store this afternoon once school is over. Instead I rummage further around the boxes until I find my camera, smiling as I feel the familiar shape of the Canon in my palm. I dress for school in a hurry, throwing on a loose white dress, dark grey cardigan and my converse, throwing my hair up in a loose ponytail and rushing down the stairs.

“Where are you going this early in the morning?” A sharp voice asks and I turn, seeing my mother sitting at the coffee table. She looks just like she always does, blonde hair pulled into a perfect bun, make up and red lips painted to perfection, her black business skirt and white button up blouse ironed and pressed with her black pumps. Not to mention her permanent frown.

“I was just going to take some photos.” I say gesturing to the camera in my hand. Her frown increases.

“We got a call from the school yesterday. Detention. On your first day. Why?” She asks icily.

“I got lost and my teacher was horrible-” I start but stop when I see the look in her eyes. Soft and dreamy. She’s thinking about Miranda again.

“Your sister never had any problems with her teachers. They all loved her, everybody loved her.” She says softly, a rare smile forming on her lips as tears start to water in her eyes.

“Mom?” I whisper softly, surprised at her show of emotion. Her gaze snaps onto mine, any tears or softness disappearing instantly.

“Blaming a teacher is unacceptable. You were late. You were wrong.” She says sternly and I nod, used to her lectures. She stands up and walks to the front door, grabbing her black handbag as she does so.

“Will you be late home again?” I ask, remembering how she arrived home at midnight last night.

“Yes.” She says before closing the door.

I bite my lip and focus on the dining room light to try and stop the tears from forming. I hate it when she does that. I can handle her yelling at me, I can handle her giving me punishments; hell I can even handle her acting like I don’t exist. But when she becomes so happy thinking about Miranda, only to look at me and be filled with disappointment, that is something I can’t stand. Trying to change my focus I glance up at the clock and see that the talk with my more took longer than I thought it had. I hurry to have some breakfast and make myself lunch before heading out the door, despite my efforts though, I’m still running late. And I don’t even have my car. I curse as I start jogging to school, thankful for the fact I decided on sneakers. I was so focused on my attempt to make it to school on time I didn’t even notice the rumble of a motorcycle as it pulled up behind me. I turn around only to see Jace smirking at me, sitting on top of his bike.

“Jace?” I ask in confusion and stop running, turning around to face him fully.

“The one and only.” He smirks and I resist the urge to roll my eyes.

“What are you doing here?” I ask hesitantly, noticing the extra helmet he has on the back of his back.

“Well I had a guess that since you left your car at school yesterday, you might need a ride?” He asks offering me the helmet. I want nothing more to ride that bike again, especially after the talk with my mother, but remember what I said to myself last night I decide against it.