A Thousand Lies

Chapter 36

Chapter name: surviving

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"No offense but what kind of name is Temperance? I mean it's pretty... it's just odd." A body appears next to me, bumping their shoulder into mine.

With furrowed brows I look up at the culprit who has ruined my focus on keeping myself from wobbling.

A girl stands beside me, she's tall so she looks down at me. She gives me a small smile, not making any efforts to get out of my personal bubble.

It's my first day at this damned school and I already have someone bothering me.

"How do you know my name?" I question, not remembering her face from either of my first classes. "My friend shares first block with you." She tilts her head, moving a hair from out of my face.

I pull my head back, my back hitting the lockers behind me. I wince in pain as her arms extends for me, ready to yank me away from the lockers.

"Are you ok?" She asks me as I swat her hand away from me.

"Why are you talking to me so early? Can't you see I'm clearly upset by your presence?" I can't help my outburst, the irritations kept building up.

She stands in shock for a moment. Her face twists before she thins her lips, ready to open her mouth to say something.

"Oh there you are Temp!" Chris's voice sounds desperate to stop her from speaking. He jogs to my side, patting my head.

I glance around, realizing a few students have stopped on their way to class, watching the three of us.

"Your cousin needs some manners Chris." The prudent girl states before walking away with her back slouched.

"What are you doing? You're supposed to be nice to fit in." Chris places his hand on my back, pulling me to walk with him.

I watch as each foot steps in front of the other, my eyes are so tired I could sleep standing up.

I shake my head, pulling my long hair into a low ponytail. Ive been feeling weak recently from the lack of sleep I'm getting. My insomnia keeps me awake at night, staring at the ceiling as Chris and Kenli sleep peacefully.

The image of my father or Erin busting through the window above my mattress plays over and over in my head. I can imagine them busting open the window. The glass shards would cover the floor and I would yank my blanket over my head to protect me.

They would rip my blanket out of my grasp and I would be defenseless against them.

Kenli and Chris would be head at gun point, not being able to move. My father would yank me up, hoist me over his shoulder, and jump back out the window. He would take me with him for the lone fact that he needs a punching bag.

After a few days of being tortured for my wrongdoings they would finally kill me. The perfect way to come to an end.

"Temp, you have to try." Chris grabs my attention again.

"I can't. I was ripped away from everyone I knew and placed here. I... I don't know how to fit in here." Not that I could fit in at my old school anyways.