Broken Until You

Chapter 4 - Sadly, We're Neighboors

Autumn

The sound of dead leaves crunching came from my shoes as I walked down the leaf-covered sidewalk.

I looked up at the pale blue sky and saw how fast the puffy clouds were gliding across it. Something about taking time to think by myself felt so peaceful. Having a hectic day at a new school was exhausting. Who knew watching the clouds glide across the sky would be so...relaxing.

Feeling an object that felt like a piece of paper, I looked down at my hand.

And that's when the peaceful moment died.

The piece of paper in my hand said in bold letters: DETENTION ON FRIDAY 9/7/18 IN MISS TANNER's ROOM 258

"Damn you, Heather Valentine," I cursed under my breath. She said she was going to make my life a living hell apparently. But honestly, I doubt it. I mean, what could she possibly do?

Crumbling the piece of paper in my hand, I sighed. "How could this day get any worse?"

Of course, I spoke too soon.

A black Porsche came speeding up next to me and in the drivers seat, a boy stuck his head out of the window.

But it just wasn't any boy. Right when I saw his face, I recognized him.

Ryder Becker.

He honked the horn, "surprise bitch!" He drove up to the curve and into a puddle of mud.

The splash of mud doused my whole body. I shrieked as some of the mud went into my mouth. The mud was cold and mushy, making me cringe.

Wiping my eyes so I could see, I glared at the car that sped off onto the black road. "What the hell is his deal?" I felt like crying. "Great, now I'm probably gonna have to take five showers to get rid of this dirt and stench!"

I continued to walk, leaving muddy footprints behind me.

In between my toes, I felt something slimy moving. "What the hell?!"

I yanked off my shoe and I don't think I've ever screamed so loud. I pulled a huge pink worm from out of my shoe. "OH MY GOD EW!" Flinging it onto the grass, I put on my shoe and ran home, not caring about how heavy I felt due to all the mud.

***

The whole way home I couldn't stop sniffling and spitting out mud.

Before I reached my front door, I noticed my mother talking to the neighbors across the street. I fixated my eyes on the lady she was speaking to. The lady looked familiar, which is surprising for not knowing anyone in my new town. She had light brown hair that was pulled back into a tight bun. She had facial features the same as someone else that I knew, but I couldn't quite pinpoint the person.

The sound of an engine boomed through the street as a black Porsche pulled up to the driveway my mother and the woman were standing on.

Then I realized, a black Porsche.

"Oh dear god, please don't be who I think it is," I whispered to myself.

The drivers door opened, and out stepped, of fucking course, Ryder.

I face palmed myself. "Of course it's him. Out of seven billion people on this earth, of course it had to be him."

My mother noticed me standing at our front door, and motioned me to come to her.

I slowly shook my head and stayed put, refusing to go to her.

Even from across the street, I could tell my mom rolled her eyes at my stubbornness. She walked across the street and greeted me, then she noticed all the mud and eyed me weirdly.