glitched | ✔️

t h i r t e e n

Amara POV

Something wet and warm was on my face and something was stepping on my chest... ow ow ow ow ow....

My eyes flew open and clashed with ice blue ones. Not human eyes.

Familiar ice blue eyes.

"Destiny!" I squealed, holding back tears as I buried my face in her long, soft fur.
She yipped and licked my ear, chewing on the ends of my hair and wiggling excitedly.

I laughed, releasing her and holding her soft face in my hands, kissing her little black nose.

"Destiny I'm so sorry I forgot you, I'm so so sorry, I wasn't thinking straight. I was scared and stressed..." I pressed my forehead to hers and she softly licked my cheek.

I smiled and wiped the dog slobber away, looking up.

Larissa, my 'mom' was leaning against the door, smiling.

"Peter said that you would be buying the dog food and that you need her to do homework? I don't know but who am I to argue with-" she laughed, shaking her head. "Never mind. You go let that dog outside, she looks like she has some extra energy."

I nodded, scooping my dog into my arms and laughing as she wiggled and licked my face. I carried her down the stairs and let her out into the backyard where she began running in circles.
The sweet little idiot...
I realize I'm smiling like an idiot. But what can I do? She's like a small piece of my old life coming back to me.

Walter (or 'dad') was at the table, on his phone. "Peter said he found her at the pound. Supposedly she had been snapping at people. They were about to put her down soon, she had been refusing to eat as well." He put the phone down and looked up, meeting my eyes.

"You make sure she stays safe to have around, okay? I'm not bringing an aggressive animal into my home."

I nodded, baffled.

Destiny had never snapped when I was with her. The only time I ever remembered her being at all aggressive is when I was gone at sleepovers or school and she got stressed. I could only imagine how hard it was for the little dog to suddenly find me gone one day.

I pulled on a change of clothes, curled my hair into loose waves, and brushed on some mascara and lipgloss.
This would have to do.

Even though I hated the thought of leaving Destiny even for a little bit I had made a promise.

In the car it was silent and I silently prayed that Peter hadn't mentioned any of the events of Saturday.
Larissa would kill me....
If he dared to have mention anything I would kill him.

Even though he had gotten Destiny for me he had somehow managed to take me away from everyone else who I loved... and who loved me.

I knew that Larissa and Walter didn't care for me, only took care of me because Liberty for the Bounded paid them.

Maybe I just wanted someone to want me again. They didn't even have to love me. Just want me.

I clenched my fists tightly, trying to fight back tears. I couldn't cry. Or worse, let someone see my cry.
My fingernails dug into the flesh of my palms, the pain distracting me from my emotions.

I unclenched my fists, ignoring the red welts in my palm that had started to bleed.

•••

In homeroom I was stuck next to Peter but I managed to avoid even looking at him, even though I could feel his eyes on me.

I would not give him the satisfaction of me acknowledging his existence.

But sadly things can't be perfect forever... because nobody could know I was mad at him because then they would want to know why and be poking their noses into my business... it would just be bad.

So I had to fake it and actually talk to him, ew.

So I steeled myself, flung my backpack over my shoulder, and strode out of class after the bell rang.
Peter was only a few seconds behind me.
"Vickie!"

I winced at the false name, yet I knew I would have to turn around and talk to him.
Blast you, Peter.

I spun around.
"What do you want?" I kept my voice quiet, making sure my eyes were communicating the height of my annoyance with him.

"Did you get my present?" He asked, awkwardly hooking his hands on his backpack straps and ignoring the glaciers in my voice.

"Yes... were you expecting a thank you?" I knew I should thank him... but I wasn't in the mood.

He rolled his eyes and muttered something under his breath, something I wasn't quite sure I heard right so I ignored it.
"A thank you would be nice, yes." Peter said with a slight pout.
Shiz.

"Fine. Thanks. But no thanks." I snapped, shoving my books into my locker and attempting to zip my backpack closed.
The stupid zipper got stuck.
Just my luck.
I began tugging at it, it didn't budge.

Peter reached over. "Here, let me help."

I swatted his hand away. Big mistake, for when I did he caught sight of the red welts in my palm.

I tried to hide my hands behind my back but he grabbed my wrist and forcibly plied my fingers apart, eyes widening.
"What the..."

I attempted to pull my hand away.
"What're you looking at?" I tried to make my voice menacing but I think I failed because Peter only gently traced the scabs on my palm with a gentle finger.

"Vickie, you really need to trim your nails," he said with concern, releasing my hand.

That stupid name again.
"I know, I'm not stupid." I but out, spinning away and marching towards science.

"How do you even hurt yourself like that and not notice?" Peter persists, following me.
I resist the urge to slap him.

"I ignore the pain." I say crisply.

I glanced at him to see him bite his lip with an expression of worry.

Well shoot, now pretty boy is worried about me.

•••

Sorry for the rather short chapter. I'll try and make the next one longer. :)

I made another cover and I'm kind of in love with it.

Should I make it the actual cover?