Fragile Bones

Chapter Eleven

I woke up with a dull aching in my stomach. I figured it was because I hadn't eaten dinner last night and swung my legs out of bed to get up. I stood and rubbed my tired eyes, still feeling like I could use more sleep even though I had gone to bed almost immediately after dinner last night. Thinking about yesterday made me wonder if my father had ever come back or if he was still out doing who knows what. I think that I've known for quite a while that my parents aren't like how they used to be and it was only a matter of time before they left each other. I guess I had always just held on to a tiny fraction of hope that it wouldn't happen, but I now knew for sure that it was only a matter of time. Only a matter of time before one of them walked right out the door, leaving my life even more broken than it already is.

I did my usual morning routine in the confines of my room, and made me way downstairs cautiously. I was somewhat relieved to find that all was silent, and there were no sign of either one of my parents. Taking a glance out the window allowed me to see that my dads car was indeed parked in the driveway meaning that he had come home. I figured that I wouldn't bother my parents with driving me to school and I could just walk today, despite the chilly weather. The exercise would help my goal of losing weight for sure, which was something to be thankful of.

I grabbed my bag off the table and put my earphones in my ears and began my trek to school. Although I had a hoodie on I was freezing, and couldn't stop myself from shaking sightly. October usually wasn't as cold as it seemed to be right now and I cursed Mother Nature for dooming me with another obstacle in my life. The music I was listening to for the walk made my time seem a lot shorter and before I knew it, I was standing in front of the school doors. I took a deep breath and walked inside, my eyes peering around the crowded hallway for a certain familiar face but I didn't see him.

I still had a few minutes before first period so I went and stood by my locker, hoping I would see Asher passing by. Not even a second had gone by before I saw him and I could feel myself perk up slightly but I immediately frowned when I saw who was accompanying him. Spencer was walking next to him with his arm slung around Lindsay and all three of them were talking and laughing. When they came closer to me I spun around and shoved my head inside my locker, not wanting to deal with those two today. I silently prayed that the trio would pass me by and miraculously, my prayers were answered. I heard the chatter fade away the farther they walked away from me. I stared after them and wondered how Asher couldn't see through their facade. Then again, I was the only person Spencer and Lindsay ever seemed to mistreat, probably because I never stood up for myself. What was the point when I'd be graduating in less than a year?

The bell rang and I mindlessly walked to my english class and sat down in my seat when Asher walked through the door and sat down next to me. I stared at him in confusion for a second before remembering that he was in this frickin class with me. And I was supposed to be the intelligent one in the school? To that, I laugh at you.

"How are those projects coming along everyone?" Mr. Henderson asked to the class. He got some scattered answers of optimism and pessimism and I stayed silent. "Remember, those are due next week and I hope you're all capturing the essence of Jane Eyre accurately and..." he continued to talk about this supposed "essence" while I tuned him out, fiddling with my pencil.

"When am I coming over to work on this project sweetheart? Today?" Asher whispered to me, leaning in so the teacher wouldn't see him. I looked at him and shrugged, slightly nervous with how close his face was to mine. He rolled his eyes and raised an eyebrow at me. "Well that's really helpful."

I shook my head at him, although he was right. I literally didn't answer his question whatsoever. "Not today, you can come after school tomorrow," I answered, keeping my eyes trained on Mr. Henderson so I wouldn't get yelled at for talking. "Wait, can't I just come to your house again? Why does it have to be mine," I asked, turning towards him once more.