11:57 (A Short Stack story)

Chapter 18- First attempt

Chapter 18-

Ruby’s P.O.V

Today the sky was a murky grey colour; it loomed over all day and poured rain onto our heads. Leola had broken her wrist and had to stay home from school, I really wished she hadn’t. I couldn’t cope without her, I was dependant on her. It was so pathetic, I was so pathetic.

The bus pulled into my stop and I stood up as it slowed down, I was the only one on the bus as this was the last stop. Usually Leola was with me but not today.

I quietly thanked the driver and jumped off the bus, the doors squeaked shut and I was back out in the cold rain. I didn’t run though, I was in no hurry to get home.

School was unbelievably horrible without Leola, I needed her with me, I felt safe near her.

The taunting and the jeering and the whispers seemed 10x worse today, all eyes on me.

I was so pathetic to be so dependent on someone just to make it through the day, I hated that. It was a horrible feeling to realise just how weak you are, just trying to get through the day without breaking down.

I didn’t look as I crossed the road, really not caring about looking for cars. I kind of wished there was one though but the street was empty as I walked across it and onto the cracking pathway on the other side. I dreaded going home but I knew that if I wasn’t home soon dad would start getting mad.

I came closer to my driveway, nearly soaked to the bone, and slowed my steps as I stepped onto the pathway towards the front door.

I quickly pulled down my school skirt and tucked my shirt into the skirt’s waistband, my parents liked to be old fashioned.

I clutched the rusty knob of the front door and swung it open before cautiously taking a step inside. I breathed a sigh of relief when I realized that dad wasn’t home yet, mum was though.

She poked her head around a wall and smiled briefly when she saw me before going back into the kitchen to prepare dinner. Of course mum wasn’t going to do anything, she was so spineless.

She was against dad hurting me but she didn’t do anything and she always agreed to everything he said, he could say that fruits are actually horrible for you and mum would nod her head.

I huffed and walked towards the back of the house where my room was, I had homework to do.

I dumped my bag in the corner of my room and slid into my chair before pulling out my maths book and a textbook. I flipped to the closest empty page and ruled a margin, I would probably end up tearing out this page in frustration. I opened the textbook to the page we were supposed to be working on algebra, honestly the hardest thing in maths ever.

I looked at the first question and banged my head on the desk in frustration, I really couldn’t so this. If only I had done it in class with Leola’s help but instead I just sat there with my earphones in pretending to have a headache.

I stared at the textbook for a good 15 minutes before I heard the front door slam shut, let the fun begin I thought sarcastically.

Dad had probably been at the pub drinking away all afternoon, his pent up anger ready to be taken out on me.

“Ruby!” he shouted with a tint of aggravation on his voice, I shakily got up and switched off my lamplight before exiting my bedroom.

“Yes, father?” I mumbled nervously not daring to make eye contact with him, he liked to feel superior. I had to learn that the hard way.