Anger Issues

seventy four

Austin

I was oddly confused during school. Between all the drama and the actual work, I couldn't wrap my mind around anything to solely focus on.

My body was still hurting from the fight, and my jaw would hurt whenever I'd clench it. I hid it fairly well, but it was really annoying.

When P.E came around, I knew I would definitely have trouble. I didn't like to complain though, so my best bet was to suck it up.

So, I did.

We were still in our volleyball unit, so luckily, I didn't have to do much that strained me out. I didn't play my best, but I still did well.

Jess caught me back at our lockers after class.

"What happened?" I asked. "We need to get the choreography ready for the assembly," she said.

I threw a book into my locker before leaning my hand against it. I completely forgot about that, too.

"Fuck," I muttered. "Would you be able to come over?" She asked.

I sighed. "No, I-" I cut myself off. "Yeah. When?" I asked. "Tomorrow. We need to start quick," she said. I nodded. "Okay. We still have time," I said.

Brrrriingg

Jess looked at me again for a quick second, before we had to part ways to class.

Getting to her house would actually be terrible to argue for. Even if I explained why, I was sure Dad would throw a fit.

When school finally ended, though, we went straight home. The one thing that gave me a little bit of hope was that Dad got the promotion, so he was happier than before.

"Dad," I called, once I settled down at home. "He's in his office," Becca said.

I jogged down the stairs and went to his office. Before I could speak, I saw him on the phone.

Sighing, I waited by the doorway.

It took minutes of waiting. I had nothing better to do, so I stayed and waited. Once he hung up, I basically threw myself further into the office.

"What is it, Austin, I'm busy," he said, writing stuff down. "I need to go to Jess' house tomorrow," I said. I saw him freeze for a second, before he continued.

"No, you're grounded," he said. "Dad, c'mon. I have to do something for school," I begged. "What do you need to do?" He asked, finally looking at me.

"The principal asked us to open an assembly next week and we need to practice," I explained. "Tell him you can't," he shrugged.

"Dad," I sighed, annoyed. "Please, I have to," I said. I sensed him giving in. "Ask your mother," he finally caved. "Thank you," I graciously said, before rushing out.

I found Mom in the basement, where I actually had my hopes up.

"Mom," I called. "Can I go to Jess' house tomorrow? It's for school," I said. She sighed, looking at me. "You're gr-" "Please Mom, it's for school, I promise," I said.

"Then why do you seem so happy?"

I didn't realize until she said it, but I really was happy for reasons even I didn't know.

"I promise it's for school," I said, not knowing how else to respond. "Dad told me to ask you," I added. "Whats for school?" She asked.

"The principal wants us to preform to open the assembly next week, and we need to practice," I explained.

"Alright, fine. But if you do anything but that-" "I won't, I promise," I said.

"Okay," she nodded. I thanked her quickly, before going upstairs to my room. I jumped onto my bed to reach for my phone, until my mood was killed when I remembered I didn't have it.

Being grounded sucked for so many reasons, but the main one was that I literally couldn't do anything.

When I wasn't at school, I was in my room, staring at the wall or probably sleeping. It felt like prison.

I started to move my hands behind my head, but I immediately felt pain along my body. Standing up from my bed, I walked to the mirror and lifted up my shirt.

I really should've iced it when I got home the other day. I was still swollen and clearly bruised.

My jaw was still hurting, too, but most fights I got in resulted in that being hit the most, so I learned to deal with it. That wasn't a major problem for me.

What was the problem, was wondering how I'd be able to dance in front of the entire school if I remained in this condition.