BEING HALSEY

CHAPTER 11

9:00am

By the time I wake up, Tray is nowhere to be seen. I force my legs to work as I jump out of bed and quietly ran into the bathroom. I stare into the brightly lit mirror, my clear reflection showing every bit of a broken girl I've become.

The pain in my eyes.

The Dave shit.

It still hurts.

I turn on the cold water, hands shaking and splash a handful of water on my face. The frigidness of the water gives me chills that ran all the way through my whole body, waking me up completely.

Afterwards, I make my way through the house in search of Dad.

" Dad?" I poke my head into the living room, in his room and into the kitchen. The house is empty.

I walk back inside the kitchen and notice a note firmly stuck to the fridge. I yank it off and read it with curious eyes.

"I didn't want to wake you. I left ten dollars on the counter for a cab. Dinner is at ten o'clock. I love you.

-Dad

I plop down on a kitchen chair and slowly rub circles on the side of my head. It helps me to calm down most of the time, although, I'm not so sure it's going to help me much this time.

Wait.... I'm late for WORK!

I jump up from the chair and ran back to my room, nearly tripping over my own two feet. I quickly open my closet and throw everything on the floor.

"Damn. What do I wear?" I hold up my favorite T-shirt and throw it down next to me.

It's too ugly.

I settle on a pair of faded jeans and my only pair of Converse sneakers.

Forty minutes later I've showered, dressed and standing outside waiting for the taxi. The taxi arrives with fifteen minutes left to spare. I sprint over to the old taxi and stick my head inside to get a peak.

" Good morning?" I say with a smile.

He looks out the window staring at me as he struggles to roll it down. He tilts his head and takes a deep breath.

" Get in.... ma'am?"

How RUDE!

He looks me up and down with a look of surprise on his round face.

" Where are we going ?" he asks.

I roll my eyes and bang his door.

" Drop me at the main mall." I say and search through my purse for his ten-dollar bill. I find it and pull it out of my purse.

"Here you go. Sorry but I'm in a bit of a hurry."

"Sure thing. No problem. I'm just your guy," he says proudly.

Puh-lease!

The rest of the cab ride is silent. We pull up to the mall with only two minutes to spare. I sit up anxiously and look out the window.

"Thank you." I jump out the door, taxi still moving and ran for the café door.

I pull the door open, eyes wide and see people gathered around the tables, most of them laughing and playing with each other. Some kids are playing around and laughing so loud.

Woah. The Café has never been this full.

Serious.

" Hal." Ken suddenly steps out behind the counter and greets me with a friendly smile. He looks good in a plain back tee and dark denim jeans. His smile makes it even better.