These Broken Hearts

Chapter 3

It’s been three weeks since I last spoke to Jace. It’s also been three weeks since I’ve felt as good as I did riding that bike. Or just good in general. Parent teacher interviews have come and gone, resulting in more disappointed looks from my parents when they found out I don’t get along with my teachers like Miranda did. Carly’s been a pain in the ass, constantly saying something about my family or Lyla or a combination of both. Maybe that’s why I snapped and punched Carly in the face this morning. It might have been my feisty alter-ego that gave her a black eye, but it’s my ass that got in trouble. So now, here I am. Sitting outside of the principles office, praying they didn’t call my parents.

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” A voice scoffs from behind me. I freeze at the familiarity of the voice, knowing it’s Jace. I frown to myself at how accustomed I am to his voice, even though I have not heard him say a word to me since the ride on his bike. He reluctantly takes the seat beside me – the only other seat in front of principle Harrison’s office – and trains his eyes on the wall in front of him. I try to do the same, but can’t help sneaking a glance at him. I bite my tongue to hold back a gasp. The entire right side of his face is black and blue with bruises, his lip is split and he has a cut across his eyebrow.

“What the hell happened to you?” I ask, unable to help myself. He turns and raises an eyebrow.

“She speaks.” He says, his voice laced with anger and annoyance.

I roll my eyes, “You didn’t answer the question.”

“Maybe because it’s none of your goddamn business!” He snaps and I surprise both of us by flinching. His brown-gold eyes soften for a moment, before turning cold again. “Why are you here anyway? Win a medal for world most perfect pain in the ass?” He snickers and I frown, feeling anger bubble up inside of me.

“I punched your bimbo in the face.” I glare and his smug mask falls for a moment, surprise showing clearly in his features.

“You’re the one that punched Carly?” He asked in amusement. He murmured something under his breath that sounded suspiciously like should’ve known.

I shoot yet another glare his way before I return my attention to my camera, hanging by it’s strap around my neck. I push the buttons, flicking through my old photos, of my old life. The most recent photos were from a week ago when I had visited the beach, taking photos of the colourful sunrise and the creatures in the little tide pools, but I flicked back even farther, attempting to find a photo of Miranda and I from when I was younger. They were my favourites, and I always made sure I had one on here, wether it was an actual photo I downloaded onto it from my computer or even a photo of a photo, I had to have one on here. I flicked back, confused, swearing I had taken one recently, only to freeze as I see one of my older photos. One of my photos from my old town. Of my past. Of him. He had his arm slung around my shoulders, as he smiled down at me. I had my arms around his waist and rested my head on his chest. I remember his warmth, the feel of his chest beneath my cheek and the way he called me Ali-bear. I also remember that this photo was taken the day I found about him and . . . her.

“Who is he?” Jace asks, his voice startling me. I fumble for the button that turns the camera off and reluctantly turn to look him in the eye. He has an odd expression on his face looking both curious and pissed off at the same time. I open my mouth, about to sprout the first lie that came to mind when the door opens and Principle Harrison walks out.

“Alice Holdin?” He calls and I stand, wiping my sweaty palms off on my sundress.

“Sir about what happened with Carly-”

“We can discuss it inside my office. Mr Matthews, I trust you can wait here for ten minutes without setting the building on fire?” He asks Jace dryly.