Some People Change (Currently Editing)

Chapter Seventeen

The next day, I woke up at five-thirty. I hadn’t slept well the past night. But once I was up, I couldn’t go back to sleep.

I slowly sat up and then I touched my lip where it had been bleeding. It felt hard. Then, I felt my eye gently. It hurt at even the slightest touch. I sighed, knowing Jason and Taylor would want to hear the entire story. And I wasn’t sure if I was prepared to tell it. 

Sluggishly, I got out of bed. I headed for my bathroom, and then once I was there, I closed the door and flipped on the light. Then, I took a look at my face in the mirror.

I wanted to cry when I saw my reflection. There was a dark bruise that circled my eye, and there one on my forehead two. My lip had a scab where I cut it. My hair was a mess, and I had to admit, even to myself, that I looked miserable. 

A big sigh escaped my mouth, and then I sunk to the floor. I didn’t want to go out like this. I felt so ugly. But I knew Amy wouldn’t let me stay here, and I guess Jason needed all the help he could get today. I would just have to endure whatever came my way.

I got up from the floor, and then headed to my dresser. I got into one of my pairs of black jeans, and a brown shirt. Then, I sat back down on my bed, and waited for the rest of the house to arise.

At seven, I could hear voices. It was Amy and Freddy. They were in the hallway. I got up and peeked my head out my door. 

Freddy and Amy saw me, and then they turned their heads. But they didn’t have smiles on their faces.

“Hey, Kayla,” Amy said softly, coming over to hug me. 

“Hi,” I answered.

Amy kissed my forehead, and then she looked down at me. Freddy came over then. 

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine.”

The three of us went downstairs, and then Emma joined us shortly. She didn’t comment on my face, but I could tell she was concerned. We had a quick breakfast, and then headed for the stables.

Jason was out there, waiting for us when we pulled up. Emma, Freddy, and I got out of the truck, and Amy did, too. She went over to Jason and whispered something in his ear. I just knew it was about me when Jason turned his head towards me. I looked at him, and then flipped my hair back so he could see my face. Then, I turned away.

Amy left, and then Jason came over to me. We just sort of looked at each other. 

“Do we need to talk?” Jason asked.

“I don’t know,” I replied.

“I’m sorry, sweetie.”

My mom had hit me before, and I didn’t know why this time was so hard. 

“It’s okay. It’s happened before.”

Jason gave me a little side hug.

“Do you want to ride for a little bit?”

“I thought you needed a lot of help. I can ride later.”

Jason gave me a curious look.

“I have Freddy, Emma, Taylor, and Ed to help me. I think you need to take a horse out for a little while.”

“Jason, I’m fi-”

“I really think you need to take a horse for a ride. How about Angel?”

“That sounds good,” I said.

Jason put an arm around me, and then we went to Angel’s stall. She nickered at me, and I smiled just the littlest bit.

“Let me go get your bridle.”