Shattered

Chapter 1

I slam my locker aggressively.

"I still cant believe Mr. Hener is making our essay over happiness due Friday!" I exclaim. My best friend Lily rolls her eyes.

"Its not that big of a deal, Em," she says, "Seven Hundred words on whether or not youre happy isnt that hard."

"Speak for yourself!" I exclaim, "Of course you, a girl with a family straight from a classic movie, a perfect boyfriend, looks of a Barbie and a 5.0 GPA, would say that. Youve got it easy."

Lily gives me a sympathetic smile. "My life is pretty great, she laughs and gives me a playful shove, but it has its ups and downs just like anyone elses."

I find that really hard to believe. Lily lives in the richest neighborhood in town because both of he parents are hot shot lawyers, yet they still manage to find time to take Lily and her two younger brothers on vacations that cost more than my house. Not to mention that Lily flies through school with practically zero effort, while I spend hours a night just on my math homework. Lily also looks like a model placed in a small-town high school just to make all those around her feel terrible about themselves. She has brilliant blue eyes and tan skin complimented by long blonde waves. And to top it all off, she has the best boyfriend ever. I have nothing against Flynn, he really is a great guy, but its just annoying how perfect he is. For Valentines day, he sent a bouquet of HAND-MADE flowers and a letter that she wouldnt let me read. Lily has it all figured out. Me on the other hand, I have a dysfunctional family that I try to avoid on all occasions and the looks of no one special. My mom works at the local bar, where she drinks more than she serves, and my dad is a misunderstood artist that spends days at a time locked up in the garage with no meals. On the rare occasion that he comes out, his eyes are always bloodshot, and he usually doesnt even acknowledge my presence. Not that I blame him. He was probably just as disappointed as my mom when I came out with straight brown hair, muddy brown eyes, and a nose too big for my face. Lily and I are very different. People wave at her as we walk towards the front doors of the school, and if people stop to talk its like Im not even there. But even though Lily is a constant reminder of what I am not, she makes up for it with her kind words and endless support—something I require daily.

I sigh. "Can I stay over tonight? My mom has the night shift and my dad locked himself up this morning."

Lily gives me a sad look, "I'm sorry Emma, but my parents are both off work for the next few days and they want to have some family time. "

"What?" I exclaim, "So you aren't even going to be at school to wri- I mean help me with my essay?"

Lily giggles. "Sorry Em, but you know how my parents are. Ill be back Saturday."

I stomp out the doors of the school. "I hate when you leave. I feel lost without you."

She puts her arm around my shoulder, "Don't worry, she reassures me, Its only a few days! And who knows, maybe youll make some more friends!"

She gives me a quick peck on the cheek before running towards the parking lot. "I love you!" she calls behind her, blonde hair flowing lusciously, "Make friends!"

I wave her off and turn towards the open field spanning out next to our very own - Mackenville High. I run through the long, unkept grass until I reach a small outcropping of trees surrounding a meadow. I run to the middle and throw myself on the ground, looking up to the sky. The familiar surroundings calm me, and I settle into the indent my body has made over the years of coming here. This has been my safe haven for many years. It was a place I could go to avoid my drunken and angry mother and my clueless, depressing father. It was also where Lily and I would spend our summer days before she met Flynn. I miss her, but she was happy and thats all that mattered.