Things Change

Chapter Two

I pulled my car into the empty garage and stiffly climbed out. I walked into the vacant house and placed the bread in the bread box. I sat my doughnut on a plate and poured myself a glass of milk. Glancing at the clock, I realized it was now 7:15pm. My parents were at my younger brother, Nate's soccer game which was about an hour and a half away from here. The game was supposed to start at 7:30pm and last until about 9:00pm, so they probably wouldn't be home until 11:00pm. I went upstairs and made myself a bubble bath and sprinkled in Epsom salt to help with the pain. I slid out of my clothes and glanced at my bruised body in the mirror. My cheek, stomach, and inner thighs had turned black and blue.I pulled my hair into a ponytail and slid into the warm water. I relaxed for a few minutes when I heard the shrill ring of my phone.

"Hello?" I said.

"Hey, Kayleigh!"

"Hey ,Liam." I smiled. "What're you doing?"

"Nothing. What about you?"

"Just relaxing." I said.

"Oh, okay. Do you know if you have any powdered sugar?"

"I'll have to check, but I'm pretty sure we do, Why?"

"Because, my mom's trying to make cupcakes and we ran out."

"Couldn't you run to the store?"

"Yeah, but I'm lazy. Can you PLEASE bring it over!?" He pleaded.

I laughed. "Yeah, give me thirty minutes."

"Aiight." he said. "Thanks a million."

"Yeah, yeah, you owe me, Jacobs."

"Don't I always, Williams?" He said matter-of-factly. "See you in a few."

"See ya."

I hung up the phone and sat it back on the toilet. I soaked in the water for about fifteen more minutes before getting out. Gently drying off my body, I grabbed my bathrobe and walked to my closet. I put on a yellow, tunic length, flannel with some black skinny jeans. I pulled a bottle of extra-strength Tylenol from my drawer and swallowed two pills while walking back to the bedroom. I inspected the bruise on my face and sighed pulling out my foundation and concealer.

Once I'd worked my magic, you could hardly tell that Colby had slapped me. If someone did ask, it was light enough where I could say that I'd fallen out of bed and hit my face on the nightstand or something to that extent. After being hit multiple times, I'd unfortunately gotten good at hiding the marks.

I pulled my hair down and brushed it.It fell perfectly around my face and I didn't bother with curling it. I chucked on my converse, slid my keys in to my pocket, grabbed the bag of powdered sugar and dropped it in a Walmart bag.

It was getting dark, but I loved the chill of night air.I pulled out my phone for a flashlight and went out my front door. I began walking towards Liam's home when my phone buzzed. The screen alerted me that I'd received a text from Colby.I rolled my eyes and flipped it open.

Colby: Hey baby, i'm sorry 4 2nite. don't kno what got n2 me....4give me?

I sighed and typed the message I always send back.

Kayleigh: Of course.

I put the phone back in my pocket and kept walking.I fought back tears as I realized that not only had I forgotten about my birthday, but so had everyone else.I felt a chill go through my body as a wind passed through.I arrived at Liam's house and the porch lights were on as always. Liam's family constantly had people in their house. I rang the doorbell and after a few seconds the door opened to reveal Liam.