The Broken Ones

-Capter Seven-

I don't think I've been so shocked in my life. To see the boy, who probably hated me, handing me the dodgeball that almost hit me.

I hesitantly reached out to grab it from him, and he let me, I shook off my shocked state and gave him a quick 'thanks' before getting back into the game.

I wanted to find Alec and get him out. I quickly spotted him picking up a ball that had dropped onto the floor. I smirked, he was too easy. I threw the ball and hit him directly in the shoulder he looked up and saw that I got him out.

He pouted and walked off the court, without him his team was for sure going to lose. And a few minutes later they did. The teacher dismissed us early, after we cleaned up the game.

I jogged over to the locker room and changed into my other clothes quickly. I grabbed my phone from my bag and waited in the main gym for Alec.

As I checked my messages I saw I got a text from my manager Noah and a few others. I had a job at the local diner to help Aunt Lori pay the bills, it wasn't easy for her to be a single mother taking care of two teenagers. Not to mention having to worry about college so I tried to pitch in what I could.

I opened Noah's message first eager to see when my next shift was.

Hey V, I've got you scheduled tonight, tomorrow, Wednesday and Thursday. I hope all is well, seriously don't hesitate to text me if you need anything. Love you kiddo. - Noah

    Noah was my mother's childhood best friend. When I turned 16 he didn't hesitate to offer me a job at the diner he owned. He's like an uncle to me, he's part of the small family that I do have.

I felt Alec approach as he slung his arm around my shoulders, but as I looked up I was shocked to see Elijah right along side him. I quickly texted Noah a quick 'thanks for letting me know'

I didn't want Elijah peeking into my personnel business so I slid my phone into my back pocket once I was done. "Boyfriend?" I heard Elijah ask as I put my phone away.

I snorted, "Yeah right." I said sarcastically. Alec looked at me, he already saw the texts. He hated that I worked so much, he was always concerned for my health.

"You got work tonight?" Alec asked looking concerned. I nodded my head, "Yeah, today through Thursday, but I'll probably pick up more shifts later." I said slightly mumbling the end of my sentence.

I saw Elijah out of the corner of my eye looking completely lost I couldn't help but laugh as I thought about his previous assumptions about me.

He quickly cleared his throat, "What's going on tonight?" He said glancing to both me and Alec.

"Don't worry about it, doesn't concern you." I said while giving him a sarcastically sweet smile. Then bell rang a second or two later and we all headed out separate ways.

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    By the time lunch rolled around I was more than ready for the school day to end. I already had so many assignments to do and I had work form 4:30 until closing.

    I sat down in my spot and pulled out my lunch Aunt Lori had made for me today. I don't get to see her as much as I would like because she works a lot but she is so caring and I really look up to her.

"Hey V, Alec mentioned you basically have to work all week?" Amber questioned with a slight frown on her face.

I nodded solemnly, "Yeah, I do. But I'm free for the whole weekend." I said trying to look on the bright side.

    She smiled a bit at me, "Well since it's still nice out how about we all take a trip up the the beach Saturday?" She asked the whole group looking very excited.

"You know that actually does sound pretty fun." I said looking up at her before turning to Alec and Cam silently asking if they'd go.

Cam responded first and was down to go and was super excited. "Yeah that would be good, you mind if some of the guys tag along? We kinda had plans this weekend." Alec said while scratching the back of his neck.

"Yeah that will be good we can take my car cause it has plenty of space for everyone." Amber said with a beaming smile. She had a 2002 explorer, so it could fit 7 people.

"How many of the guys are tagging along?" I asked Alec while growing a chip in my mouth.

"Just two don't worry, we'll all fit." Alec always seemed to know what I was worrying about. I nodded and gave him a sheepish smile.

Soon enough the bell rang and Amber and I headed to Childhood Development. While we walked we planned out what would should bring so we won't be scrambling last minute.

    "Sometime this week do you wanna go to the mall so we could get new swimsuits?" Amber asked as we walked into the classroom.

    "Yeah that sounds good I really need a new one." I said slightly laughing. She smiled and sat down as I headed back to my seat I noticed Elijah was already there. Oh joy.

    I sat down and plopped my bag on the ground, already wanting this class to end.

   I may have been drunk at the party, but I definitely remember what Elijah said to me. And this time Alec couldn't tell me to be nice.

   Honestly I didn't want to even argue with him about it, I just hope he won't bring it up. He didn't in Gym, which I was thankful for.

    I mean if anything he was being passive in gym, he even saved me from that flying dodgeball. And luckily in class he just glanced at me, without a glare or any rude comments.

    Today had been a strange day.