Tumbling Down (Dance Moms Fanfic)

Trust (Ch.10)

I hear laughter and fading footsteps, but I continue lying on the cold, rough sidewalk concrete.

When I finally have the strength to get up, my feet stumble-carry me home, up to my room, where I pass out on my bed.

I wake up, noticing first a big circle of blood on my pillow. I jump in fear. Immediately heading to the bathroom, I notice in the mirror dried blood all over my nose, cheeks, and chin. A black circle is over my right eye.

It's 4:20AM. Why I'm up so early, I don't know. But I'm gonna need the extra time.

I turn on the shower, undressing. Looking in the mirror, I notice a ginormous scrape across my left lower back. It's at least the size of two softballs.

Whilst showering, I stupidly touch my black eye, and it hurts like hell.

Today's gonna be so fun.

After dressing and doing my hair, (parting it so it covers the right side of my face more than usual, but not noticeable) I spend about 30 minutes applying makeup, 25 minutes just for covering my black eye. It still doesn't look completely right. Around my eye, it looks...off tone.

I hear a car horn whilst studying my uneven face, then nervously grab my bag and head out the door.

Before I can leave, Mom stops me.

Mom: I'm picking you up today.
Me: What? Why?
Mom: Early rehearsal. Remember?
Me: Not that early. I'm supposed to be there at 3:30, not 2:30.
Mom: Maddie would be there before school even ended!
Me: I'M NOT MADDIE!

I'm so mad, I cross the line.

Me: And I'm not going to dance tonight.

I head out the door, pretending everything is fine.

Thank god the right side of my face isn't the side Rock can see.

~*~*~*~*~*~

Girl: How's your eye feeling?

I hear laughter from people by her, and from her, as she walks away. And I have no clue who any of them are. I roll my eyes.

Rock: What?
Me: Nothing.

I lean down to grab my bag. Ugh, so heavy.

Rock: But who makes jokes about eyes?
Me: You'd be surprised.

I make no more comments. But other people do.

Rock: What's going on? Do you have a black eye?
Me: No.

He's on my right side. My hair and makeup is the only thing keeping him from finding out. Though he may have gotten the hint already. He starts to say something, but I put my hand up and lie about having homework to do and that I have to go.

Phew. That was close.

~*~*~*~*~*~

After school is what I dreaded most today. I imagined it all schoolday long: Mom coming up, dragging me by the wrist, cursing me out and bringing me to dance. But she's not here. I relax.

I put myself into Rock's car, beginning to grow anxious. It's not even Mom. It's my black eye. And I know he'll bring I up.

We start nearing the stone I got beat up by. I start fiddling with my hair.

Rock: So now do you wanna tell me what happened?
Me: Nothing did. Why do you-
Rock: Because something did.

We pull up to my house. The car isn't there. Mom isn't home. This gives him a chance to stop and talk. Which he takes. I'm forced to face him in this small, compact metal machine.