It's ok to be broken

Chapter 5. Chaos Ensues

Morning dawned, casting a warm glow over the sleepy neighborhood. Anna woke up to an empty house, the silence deafening.

Again.

She sighed, resigned to her mom's absence.

"Mom's out again," she thought, frustration simmering.

Anna bathed, dressed, and prepared breakfast for Jack, her movements mechanical.

"Hey, kiddo! Eat up," she said, forcing a smile.

Jack devoured his food, and they headed out, walking to school in comfortable silence.

As they turned the corner, Anna spotted Alex's car.

Her heart skipped a beat.

She quickly looked away, pretending not to see him.

But Alex wasn't having it.

He drove up, blocking their path, his smile dazzling.

"Hey, need a ride?" he asked, his eyes crinkling.

Anna refused, her tone firm.

But Jack intervened, his voice laced with concern.

"Sis, I'm late for class. Let's take the ride."

Anna hesitated, then reluctantly agreed.

As they drove, Alex asked, "Why are you avoiding me?"

"You're strange," Anna replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

Alex chuckled. "How am I strange?"

Anna clammed up, her eyes fixed on the passing scenery.

At school, Alex dropped them off, and all eyes turned to Anna.

"Wow, he's so hot!" the girls whispered.

Layifa, their class leader, sneered.

"Weirdo, how'd you score that hot guy? You're so lucky!"

Anna ignored her, but Layifa persisted.

"You're always so quiet and weird. How'd you even talk to him?"

Anna's patience snapped.

Layifa hit Anna on the head, and Anna slapped her back.

A fierce fight erupted.

Both girls were summoned to the principal's office.

Layifa lied, saying Anna slapped her over nothing.

The principal believed Layifa and gave Anna detention.

Anna seethed, her anger boiling over.

After school, Anna spent her detention cleaning, her movements furious.

Jack searched for her, worried.

A classmate snickered, "Check the detention hall, weirdo's there."

Jack ran, finding Anna scrubbing floors, her eyes red-rimmed.

Tears filled their eyes as they hugged.

"I'm sorry, sis," Jack whispered.

"I'm done," Anna said, smiling.

As they walked home, Alex reappeared.

Anna refused his ride, grabbed Jack's hand, and ran.

Alex followed, laughing.

Anna hailed a taxi, using her savings.

"Home, please," she said.

Jack chuckled. "You ran like crazy! What's going on?"

Anna's expression turned serious.

"I got detention because of that guy. He's been bothering me."

Jack's eyes widened.

"Is he bothering you again?"

Anna nodded.

"That's why I ran."

As they arrived home, Alex's car trailed behind.

Anna rushed inside, locking the door.

She was happy to see her mom, Susan,standing in the living room.

But her smile faltered as she saw her mom's stern expression.

"Welcome home," Anna said, cautious.

Susan voice was cold.

"I heard you got detention because of a boy."

Anna's happiness turned to disgust.

"Even if I did, I wouldn't have fought over a guy!" she shouted.

"But you, after all this while, for the first time since Dad left, you come home early to argue?"

Anna's voice trembled with anger.

"Why don't you do your motherly duties before advising me?"

Susan face fell, but Anna continued.

"You're always absent, leaving me to care for Jack.

"You have no right to lecture me!"

Alex, still outside, heard the shouting and decided to leave.

Jack watched, feeling bad, as his sister and mom argued.

Anna stormed into her room, slamming the door.

"You're grounded!" Susan shouted.

Anna retorted, her voice muffled but fierce.

"Thank you! Hope you'll take Jack to school like I do.

"Prepare food and do your motherly duties.

"Instead of sleeping outside with men and lying that you're working!"

Susan felt heartbroken, tears rolling down her cheeks.

She had never seen Anna so angry.

The shouting still echoed in the house.

Jack looked at his mom, worried.

"Mom, maybe you should—"

But Susan shook her head, tears streaming.

"Leave me alone, Jack."

The tension lingered, the silence heavy.