Unmasked

Chapter 7

I opened up my front door slowly, trying my hardest not to make any noise. I noticed that only one car was parked in the driveway, I have yet to find out whether it's my mom or Zach home.

I walk into the kitchen and grab some pain reliever pills out of the cupboard, and place two in my hand. The pain in my stomach has been bothering me more today. I swallow one at a time, and put the container away.

I walk quietly up the stairs, trying my hardest not to make any noises with the creaking floor boards. I really wish they could get those fixed, it makes my sneaking around a lot harder.

I walk into my bedroom and place down my book bag on the floor, and shoes in the corner of the room.

I sigh and plop down on my bed, I flinch at the pain that roams through my body just with one small action. I just can't seem to forget that my life isn't like everyone else's. I'm a weed, surrounded by beautiful flowers that are filled with color, so much light. Then here I am, something in everyone's way, only to be pulled out of the ground and thrown away. Without a second thought.

I hear thumps coming up the stairs to my bedroom, my eyes widen and heart beat quickens. Before I can get up and lock the door, it bursts open.

My mom is standing at the entrance, she doesn't seem to be sober but not too drunk either. Her hair is slightly combed, but still messy at all angles, with strands popping out here and there. She's wearing a tank top that goes mid thigh, with a long gray sweater on top of it. She has some old sweatpants on, with a couple wine stains across the pants in different spots.

She throws the phone next to me on the bed, making me flinch on accident. "School called." She put it simply. I was hoping for her to come running to me, and embracing me into a warm hug that she once gave me. She must've known what had happen, and was going to ask if I was okay?

Wrong.

"What did you do to get in trouble this time, hm?" She questions, her annoyed expression turns into a hateful glare; one I see on Zach's face all the time.

"Hooking up with some guy in the janitors closet? They caught you didn't they?" She laughed, my eyes started tearing but as fast as the tears were there, they were gone.

How could my own mother think of such a thing? Does she really think I would do that? I would stoop that low?

My eyes that were fixated on her left, and replaced to them now being on the ground. "I wouldn't do that." I choke out. "I didn't get in trouble at school either, we were all sent home early."

I could feel her stare piercing through me, looking for more answers. "If you would've listened to the damn call you would've known." I spit out angrily, my teeth were clenched. I tried stopping myself from saying anything more.

She didn't say anything but her emotionless stare turned into a glare. I swallowed the lump in my throat, waiting for a slap or kick.

"You do not get to talk back to me Quinn, I am your mother. Learn to have some respect." She fires back at me. I almost laugh, but I have to keep a hand on top of my mouth from letting one out. Did she actually just tell me.. to have some respect? Hypocrite.

"Do you want to know why they called or not?" I groan, this conversation is tiring and stressing me out.

She nods her head for me to continue and I do. "Someone brought a gun in the school, we were in lockdown for awhile, they let us out early because of what happened." I explained to her, I gulped. The thought of what happened earlier gave me an uneasy feeling in my stomach. I was scared shitless, and I really have to thank Cory for what he did.

I look up to her, looking for something. Maybe guilt? Care? Nothing.

She looks me in the eyes and licks her lips, something she used to do when she was nervous. "I'm sorry that happened to you." She replies coldly, and walks out the door.

My heart feels like it broke even more, not even after hearing about what had just happened to me. Her own daughter, she still doesn't care. All she has to say is 'I'm sorry that happened to you.'

Please! She's experienced me getting hurt physically, and mentally first hand.

I let out an exhausted scream in my pillow, trying to control my anger and not punch something.

I bring my head up from it and stare at it for a second.

How did my life come to be like this?

I throw it across the room with all my force, hitting the pillow on the wall. Nothing happens since it's a soft, and does no damage.

I lay my head back down on my bed slowly, trying not to make my body hurt in any more ways.

My hands were trembling and I felt like an icicle. I felt helpless and broken, like a china doll that was once beautiful now shattered across the cold floor.

I take my hair out of the ponytail it was in, and let my hair cover up my face. I just want to hide away from everything, everyone. Never have to deal with these problems any more.

My eyes become heavier, and I find it harder to keep them open. I finally let sleep consume me, keeping me away from my never ending thoughts.