Broken

Honest

I safely slid myself off of the counter. "What are the chances we would even meet again?" I asked, looking into his beautiful grey eyes. He seems to be doing the same to my bright green ones. "Slim to none?" I offered.

"You would be surprised. Disney is right when they say it's a small world," he commented.

"So you quote disney, huh? That's new. In California, we don't really have childish guys likes you," I mocked ever so slightly.

"Oh, I wouldn't say it's childish. It's american culture, and who want to be an uncultured swine?"

"Toy Story nice," I laughed.

"Culturally aware," he smiled pointing at his head.

"Okay, I should get going before my grandma calls the cops. Thank you again," I said lightly touching my fresh bandage.

He just waved it off, "Don't worry about it. I knocked you down that hill."

"Well I'm super clumsy so it's fine."

"Ya, I saw the bruise on you cheekbone. What did you run into? A wall?"

"Oh, uh, nothing," I replied becoming extremely tense and uncomfortable. I was not about to tell an old childhood friend my troubles at home. It didn't matter how warm Jake seemed, I was going to keep the secret locked tightly away.

"Well maybe you can tell me one day," he continued. He tilted his head to side, examining my bruise further.

He insisted on walking me back to my grandma's house. I tried to turn him down, but he wouldn't take no as an answer. He talked about his lonely summer nights after I left and I talked about boring California. He told me I was lucky because we had beaches, a sight that he has never seen. I continued to tell him that it is beautiful, but not all it is hyped-up to be. We continued to have the banter until we reached the house. My grandma, noticing the motion light turning on, beat us to the door. Quickly, I said goodbye to Jake and slipped into the house. My grandma detained him and continued to have a conversation. I slowly changed out of my running clothes in order to keep their talk private. I tipped toed back to the kitchen area silently wishing to myself that they were done. As I reached the edge of the room I could still hear them talking.

"That's so nice sweetie," my grandma beamed, "I'm glad to hear that they want a scholarship."

He's just Mister Perfect isn't he? I couldn't help but think to myself. Then suddenly feeling guilty for listening in.

"Ya, my dad is really pushing me to go their but I'm thinking about staying closer to home. Also, after all the bad things Lilah said about California I may steer clear of that state all together," Jake remarked.

"Oh don't listen to her, she's just had, um, bad experiences there."

"We will see. Also, I don't want to empty my parents wallets with all the flights and rooming. Any way I should go, my mom is probably back from the hospital by now."

"Your mom was in the hospital!" I exclaimed. I couldn't help bursting out loud, but I was worried. They both turned their heads and just looked at me with an awkward moment if silence.

Jake broke it by laughing. He started to push his hair back when a runaway though passed my mind. Go ahead just laugh at me with your perfect laugh, and perfect smile. Just go be perfect. I felt extremely uncomfortable, silently scolding myself for thinking that. I looked back up at them with a slight expression of worry.

"Eavesdropping much?" He left a brief pause questioningly, "Actually she's a nurse, but I'm glad to know you care," he smiled smugly.

We finally all said our goodbyes after that awkward moment. My grandma turned to me with a knowing smile. "What?" I asked her desperately, but she never replied. She served me the fried goodness and we ate happily. We had almost finished when the rain started again. It created a nice tapping noise against the window. I let out a sigh of relief and stared out the window, watching the kind yet disrupting water. I excused my self and walked into my current bedroom. I sat on the plush comforter in the tiny room. There was only enough for for a twin bed, a dresser, and a tiny chair. I grappled my phone that was resting on the dresser and finally called Anna. I listened to the consistent rings of the phone and paced over to the mirror. I looked into the shiny green eyes staring back at me. I glanced at my full cheeks and felt slight disgust.

"Finally," a sweet and chirpy voice filled my ears, "I was starting to think you died. You shouldn't scare me like that. Especially when I'm in a different country unable to get to you. I would have killed you again, you butt. Seriously, next time I see you I'm going to hit you."

I had let her ramble on before I started my story. She listened like she always did and she tried to be supportive but it didn't really help. I just wanted someone that would make the pain go away. I guess that really is hard to ask of someone though. I kept the phrase one day in my mind. I always used to do that. Just kept on saying one day, one day until I didn't have to any more.

I kept out a couple details. Okay, okay, I only left out Jake but it's just because she would become extremely boy obsessed. I told her about my panic attack and my relaxing flight. I explained the rain that seemed to wash away my sorrows and I informed her about the creepy taxi driver that has slowly looked over my face. I still get the chills when I think about him. The man with the purple scar on his chin.