Letting Him Save Me || ✎

Chapter 9

Stella Pov

After the debacle with Hayley a few hours ago, we all retreated to bed and went back to sleep.

Of course, I never fully went back to sleep just to make sure Hayley didn't try to go through my stuff again. I kept trying to figure out what in the hell she was looking for in my bag. The thought was milling around my head all night and I got up in the morning without coming to a consensus. 

Despite my lack of sleep I got up with my alarm and headed for the bathroom grateful it was Friday. I slipped into the shower careful to step away from the infestations of mold growing in the corners of the tub-shower. I quickly washed my hair and rinsed my body before getting out and wrapping my towel, that was horribly fraying at the ends, around my body. I open the door to grab my clothes for the day from our room. I grab a pair of ripped light denim jeans and a pink sweater that was once red but work lighter with time. Hayley and the twins are still asleep as I go back into the bathroom, my stuff on the desk still untouched from earlier this morning. 

I took the towel off my body and threw my head over so my hair was dangling before wrapping the towel around my thick brown locks. I brought my head back up and started to dress myself. I brush my teeth and put on deodorant before I was ready to do my hair. I unwrapped the towel and brought my brush to my hair and starting to brush it, once it was tangle-free I grabbed all my hair and brought it over my left shoulder and started to do a braid. Once the braid was done I was ready. I grab the belongings I came in with and I leave the bathroom to see the other girls still asleep. I put my extra stuff from the bathroom in its rightful place and proceed to grab my school supplies and restore it to the condition it was in before Hayley touched it.

I grabbed my bag and made my way to the hallway to see what chores I had that day. I looked over the list and noticed I was the only one that didn't have a chore. I went downstairs to find Maddie, Logan, or Makayla to try and figure out what happened. I spot Maggie sitting at the counter cradling a cup of coffee between her hands still clad in pink and white striped pajama set. 

"Hey Maggie." She turns to acknowledge my presence as I sit in the stool next to her.

"Oh wow, look at you. Up and at 'em before everyone else." She says with a comforting smile.

"Yeah." I chuckle.

"So what's up?" She asks before bringing her mug to her lips.

"Well I was looking at the chore chart in the hall and noticed I didn't have anything. Is that like a mixup or..?" I trail off.

She gulps her coffee and sets her mug down before responding, "Well Makayla told us to give you today off. So enjoy it while it lasts." She smiles.

Weird. 

"Okay." 

I get up from beside her and walk over to the toaster and grab the loaf of bread that sits beside it and pulls out a slice before putting in the first slot and pushing the knob down. I open the cupboard directly above the toaster and pull out the butter dish and a knife from the drawer below. 

The toaster pops and I garnish it with butter before taking a bite. 

I take a seat at the table near the front door with my backpack at my feet. I crunch my toast as Lukas strolls down the stairs with Hayley behind him like a lost puppy. I think she might even be drooling.

I chuckle at my thoughts garnishing their attention. Lukas glances at my with a small smile and Hayley spares me a glare accompanied by a snarky smile.

I respond with a toothy, chewed-up bread smile and she looks away with disgust.

I sit playing at my nails for a couple minutes before everyone's by the door shrugging on their jackets and I finally stand to join them on the walk to the bus stop.

Lukas opens and shuts the front door once we've all stepped out. 

We're all silent as we reach the bus stop and we step on.

We all separate to our own spots on the bus and drown in our stereotypical roles in the systematic scheme of high school.