Broken Promises

Chapter 7

I know I felt scared, no absolutely mortified. I barely remember having to run away and hide and then when I woke up again, that was when the real nightmare started because that was the part I did remember.

I had woken up in the corner of the hallway, a strong pain shooting through my shoulder as I pushed myself up.

I remember slowly going down the stairs as my heart beat out of my chest, the silence around me absolutely unbearable.

I remember walking into the living room, the world around me stopping as I took in the sight in front of me.

I remember all the pain and horror, as if it was only yesterday.

It had been my screaming that had the neighbors call the cops and that’s how they had found me.

‘Two individuals stabbed, third one is in need of an ambulance’, that was how they had called it in as I sat there absolutely frozen.

Long story short, my parents were gone and I got away with nothing but an ugly scar.

All the conversation with those officers had done, was leave me completely numb on the outside yet completely broken on the inside… They had decided that it would be better if my therapist guided me through this further and I had just nodded my head before going to bed.

I hadn’t spoken a single word since yet Luke hadn’t left my side once the next day, neither had Avery.

“Alright class, before you go home remember to read chapter 3 and 4 before next lesson”, the teacher spoke before the students started packing up their stuff, rapidly walking out of the classroom to go home. I wish my life was still that carefree…

“Okay you two, I’m off to training”, Luke spoke as he pressed a kiss to Avery’s cheek before turning to me “I’ll come pick you up tomorrow morning?”

Giving him a soft nod, he send me a soft smile before throwing his bag over his shoulder and jogging out of the room.

“Let’s get you home, shall we?” Avery spoke softly as she linked her arm with mine, gently pulling me out of the classroom. I knew that Luke had told her everything and even though at first it made me feel slightly uncomfortable, I was glad he had. It felt like she genuinely cared and I loved how they both did without showing me pity. I hated pity…

“Do you mind if we make a little detour later, I need to pick something up from the store”, she asked and I softly shook my head, trying to put on a smile but hopelessly failing at it. We stepped up to my locker and I cursed to myself as I saw Jake and his friends standing a few feet away. Just not today, please not today…

“Damnit”, I turned to Avery after I had opened my locker to see her slightly shaking her head “I’ve gotta make a call real quick, Luke forgot his phone with me”

I nodded my head once again and she stepped a few steps away as I focused on putting away my books.

“So did your parents say anything else?” I took in a sharp breath as I heard one of Jake’s friends speak. Of all subjects, it had to be that…

“No and honestly they’re pissing me off beyond imagination, they are just being annoying as f**k”, Jake sounded irritated as he spoke and it made me feel so mad and sad at the same time. You honestly have no idea how much they are to you until they’re gone. I closed my locker and saw him standing with his back to me.

“They think that sending Lana will actually fix things and it’s just ridiculous, I mean are they dumb?” Jake continued and I tightly pressed my lips together as I clutched my hands together. Shut up, just shut up Jake.

“And then thinking that buying me s**t is going to solve anything, the bastards”, he added and my hands tightly balled into fists at my sides. How dare he speak about his parents like that?

“You should be grateful”, I whispered harshly but unfortunately loud enough for him to hear as his shoulders tensed. I froze as he turned my way and gave me the nastiest stare anyone had given me in a while, quickly making me realise I shouldn’t have “And what the hell do you know about it?”

Sadly enough, more than enough.

I gulped as my eyes darted to the floor, hoping he’d just turn back to his friend and ignore me but I couldn’t be more wrong.

“You probably have the most perfect, posh little life with parents that literally lie at your feet and do anything for you. So tell me princess, what the f**k do you know?” he snarled loudly and I felt myself flinch as I already desperately tried to blink away tears. I much rather had my parents fighting everyday if that meant I could still be with them …

“You’re probably just one of those selfish, naïve little bitches where mommy and daddy hand everything to on a silver platter”, he took a step closer and I harshly bit my lip, trying to keep my sobs quiet. I could just feel his rage and I regretted listening in on his conversation in the first place. I’m so stupid.

“Seriously, tell m-“

“Shut up, Jake”, suddenly Avery was at my side but I could still feel his vicious glare on me “Would you look at that, another whiny girl that doesn’t know how to mind her own f*****g business”

I should have kept my mouth shut, now I’m getting her in trouble as well.

“Calm down man”, one of his friends tried while I could already feel the thick tears falling from my eyes to the floor.

“Leave them the f**k alone, Davis”, Luke’s voice sounded loudly before I noticed how he went to stand in front of me and the most sadistic laugh sounded from Jake “Now now, it appears you’ve got a little boyfriend sticking up for you now as well”

I heard a huff come from Luke and I finally dared myself to look up.

“You’re a horrible person, Jake”, Avery spoke harshly and he rolled his eyes before looking at me. He seemed a little taken aback when his blue eyes met mine before Avery gently started leading me away.

“You stay the f**k away from her, you hear me”, I heard Luke yell behind us as Avery pulled us into one of the empty classrooms.

“Come here”, she made me sit on of the empty desks just as Luke stormed in, angrily throwing the door closed behind him “I swear to god, I could strangle him right now”

“Shut up Luke”, Avery spoke annoyed before turning back to me with a softer expression “Are you alright?”

“I shouldn’t have said anything, it’s my fault”, I spoke softly, my bottom lip trembling as tears calmly trickled down my cheeks. He was right, I should have minded my own business.

“Don’t you dare say that Catherine, he’s an assh-“, Luke started but another glare from Avery quickly made him shut up.

“It’s not your fault honey, Jake shouldn’t have reacted that way”, she spoke just as the door opened to reveal one of Jakes friends and I felt myself slightly shift more towards Avery.

“Oh piss off, Noah”, Luke shouted but the guy quickly held his hands up as he took a few steps in “Calm down, I just wanted to check if she was alright and to apologize”

“Apologize? I don’t think she needs an apology from you”, Luke spoke but Noah completely ignored him as he looked at me before he continued “Look Catherine, Jake’s known for his short temper when it comes to his parents. I hope you understand he didn’t mean any disrespect towards yours, it’s just that he hasn’t the easiest situation at home”

“Her parents are dead for f***s sake”, Luke yelled, the whole room going quiet as he did.

“Damnit Luke”, Avery threw Luke another look as Noah’s expression turned from annoyed to panicked.

“f**k”, he muttered to himself “I’m so sorry, Catherine”

“Yeah, you should be”, Luke muttered and Avery rolled her eyes before pointing at the two guys “Can you two take this somewhere else please”

“Let’s go”, Luke said before he turned to me with a certain look and I knew what he meant. I gave him a nod and sighed as this would now be the third person at this school who knew.

The door closed and I closed my eyes as my head felt like it had been split into two. Never once would I have thought that today would be worse than the first day. I don’t know if I can keep doing this…

I opened my eyes again as I felt Avery grab my hand, carefully pulling me back on my feet “Come on, let’s get you home”