The Hurt

Chapter 7

Jessica’s POV

I rolled over on my side, trying to shield my eyes for the blaring light coming from my window with little success. I groaned in defeat as I slammed my pillow over my face. I got barely got any sleep last night and I wasn’t prepared to walk into school like a zombie after I had been on ‘vacation’ for the last week.

I shut my eyes one last time before my brain finally gave in, willing to let me sleep when Over and Over by Three Days Grace came on meaning that it was time to get up and go to school “Nooo,” I moaned as a rolled out of bed.

I walked over to my full-length mirror and cried out again at my own reflection. I looked awful. The bags under my eyes were twice as dark as they usually were and my skin was ghostly pale making me look like a corpse.

I brought both hands up to my face shielding my eyes from my own reflection as I turned and walked towards my bathroom. I threw the blonde, tangled mop that I call hair into a bun as I ran hot water from the tap.

As I waited for the water to get hot, I walked out of the bathroom and into my closet looking for something suitable to wear. In the end I chose my dark blue skinny jeans, a navy blue floral shirt with a blue cardigan. I might have been a social outcast, but I knew how to dress.

I walked back to my bathroom and washed my face. The hot water felt amazing and definitely woke me up. I then applied foundation, trying to darken my pale skin then I did my eye makeup and I was complete.

I step back from my mirror, giving myself a look through, making sure I looked like I had a relaxing vacation. Finally feel satisfied that I could pull it off, I walked over to the door and to my surprise it wasn’t locked.

I walked down the hallway and past the stairs over to Melissa’s bedroom. I knocked lightly, careful not to alert anyone else who might be awake. “Melissa?” I called quietly as I turned the door handle, cringing every time it creaked.

To my disappointment, she was already gone. I sighed and closed the door before I jogged down the stairs to get some breakfast. My aunt was still asleep and my uncle was passed out on the coach with multiple beer bottles around him.

Realizing that I was going to be late, I chugged my orange juice, which gave me a wicked brain freeze, and I threw some dry cereal into a baggie so I could snack on the way. Just as I was about to walk out the door I heard my uncle call me. I stood in the doorway, considering my options. Finally, I just decided to ignore him and keep going.

It was cool, spring morning. The grass was wet with morning dew and a light fog laced my neighborhood making it a pleasurable commute. For once I didn’t put in my headphones to listen to my rock music, instead I listened to the birds singing. It was definitely a good way to start the day.

I arrived at my school within a few minutes just before the bell rang. It gave me enough time to rush to my locker without being seen, then head over to my homeroom. I paused in front of the door, making sure I had my alibi down. I missed so much school because my grandmother, who lives in Manitoba, no Vancouver, was in the hospital on her deathbed. Yea, that will work, I thought. We immediately packed our bags and flew out to visit her in her final hours and stayed there until she passed. I went over the facts a few more times in my head before opening the door.

I must admit; it wasn’t quite the reaction I was thinking of. I thought only a few people would have even noticed I was gone, maybe a teacher or two, but no more than that. Instead, as soon as walked through the door, multiple people began to say my name and even my homeroom teacher, Mr. Brewer, came up to me with a genuine concerned look.

“Jessica, where-,” he paused, trying to rephrase the so obvious question he was about to ask, “what happened? You were gone for so long, the school was getting worried. No one answered when we called home.” We both stood there, eye to eye. I tried to read him, tried to see right through him. It would have been so obvious if he has rehearsed what exactly to say to me when I finally did come back, but there was nothing. Every word and every facial expression seemed real.