Chapter Thirty:

The doctor’s note I have pretty much excuses me from all the school I want to miss while I’m healing. As tempting as skipping the rest of the year sounds… I want to be able to actually graduate. This weekend was brutal. When I wasn’t drugged up as fuck, I was wishing that I was.

I’ve been busy decorating my room with the help of Brian and Zacky. Doug offered to help, too, but he’s been pretty busy with other things.

I’m so excited to see Oliver that I could pee myself. No exaggerations. I could actually pee my pants with excitement. You have no idea.

Doug assured me that Oliver and Hayden could stay with us and it wouldn’t be a problem. I assumed that Oliver would end up crashing in my room, because that’s normally what happens when we’re staying together. I don’t know how Brian would take it. He knows that we’re just friends and he’s like my brother, but guys are weird.

Despite everyone’s advice, I gave Zacky all of my homework to turn in for me today. I asked for them to bring my homework to me. I’m going to try and go to school tomorrow, but if worse comes to worse, Doug told me that he could pick me up and take me home. I figure that a partial day of school is better than no school at all.

I’m not looking forward to the swarm of questions that will get thrown at me. I can only imagine. I mean, I’ve been beat up how many times already since I started school in this town?! It’s insane. A girl can only ‘fall’ so many times before it becomes blatantly obvious that she’s lying her ass off. If you’re going to lie, at least make it believable. The only thing worse than lying is being caught in a lie. Shit always hits the fan. There are no exceptions.

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After trying to soak away my bruises in an obnoxiously long bubble bath, it was painfully apparent that I won’t be able to cover my black eye… if you can call it that. It’s morphed into a whole ‘nother monster altogether. It’s taking up a good side of my face. I didn’t think that I ate the concrete that hard, but my face is proof that I was mistaken. My chin is all scraped and my face is more colors right now, than a clown has in its entire wardrobe.

Thank God, I’m not taking a yearbook photo this week.

I’ve been good about ingesting all of my pain meds, but I just haven’t had an appetite. I’ll force down a few bites of something every now and again, but other than that, the thought of food just isn’t appealing.

Everything is starting to take its toll on my tired, battered body. It’s days like these and I’m especially thankful for the people in my life that have my back and would go to bat for me. I don’t think that I could go another round with my mother or father at this point. Yeah, I could run away… and then I’d probably pass out from lack of food… or worse? Who knows? My body hasn’t even had time to recuperate from my first go-around with Derek and there have been two incidents since then.

It’s crazy how so much can happen in such a short amount of time. In not even five minutes, your life can change.

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“Sweetheart, are you sure that you want to go back to school tomorrow? You should be resting, not pushing yourself.” Doug told me, gently. I sighed and looked up at the sweet man.

“I know that and I’ve been resting all weekend. I can’t stop my life. I can’t put everything on hold because crazy people keep butting their nasty asses into my life. I’m not that girl. I’ve never been that girl. I can’t just keep sitting here and twiddling my thumbs. I’m going stir-crazy, Doug!” I told him, dramatically. He chuckled as I threw my hands up in the air. I made a face when I felt a painful pull in my chest area.

“I’m not telling you that you can’t go – I’m just asking if you’re sure, Love. Alright?”

“Fine.” I crossed my arms and watched him.

“You’re so much different than my son. I’ve always heard people go on about the fact that trying to raised and teenage boys and teenage girls are completely different things. I don’t think I ever realized how right they were until now.” He mused. I rolled my eyes.

“Please, we’re not that bad.” I countered.

“I never said you were.” He smiled. “I want you taking it easy tomorrow. I don’t want you carrying your own bag or your books. Do you hear me? There’s no reason that one of the boys can’t carry them for you. If you get tired, I’ll come get you and bring you straight home. Make sure you bring all of your medication and the doctor’s note, so the nurse doesn’t give you any trouble.” He lectured me. I groaned.

“Yes, Dad.” I whined. He just smirked.

“You know, I think I like the sound of that.”

“I thought you might.”

Notes

Some sweetness for everyone! :) Next chapter is significantly longer.:)

Xo,
Katie