Battle Scars

Bullet

"My legs are dangling off the edge,

The bottom of the bottle is my only friend.

I think I'll slit my wrist again,

And I'm gone, gone, gone, gone!

My legs are dangling off the edge,

A stomach full of pills didn't work again.

I put a bullet in my head,

And I'm gone, gone, gone, gone!"

Bullet by Hollywood Undead

~~~☆~~~

Mrs. Ruben's office was in the main corridor of the school, about ten feet from the main office. I had my books pressed against my chest since I only had one hand to carry them with. My other arm just dangled at my side, this way I couldn't inflict more pain on to my hand.

Weaving through students was much more easy than it was earlier, I didn't have any unfortunate run ins. Much unlike this morning. Her office was empty, however the door to the personal restroom was closed. There is a worn out chair, right next to her desk. I set my books down on her desk then claimed my chair. Yeah, I wore that chair out.

With a flush, and the click of a lock, the bathroom door swung open to reveal the kindest woman at Hogarth High. She was an older woman, with a salt and pepper bun. "Oh, hello Jaylyn!"

I tried to smile, but the bruise on my jaw pained me too much. "Hello, Mrs. Ruben. Are you free this homeroom?"

"I sure am, ma'am. Let's take a looksy." She got real close to me. Eyeing my jaw, "Jaylyn, sweetheart, what happened to your jaw?"

"I... um... it was an accident..." I stammered, embarrassed. Sure, Mrs. Ruben was nice...but I've pretty much have been fibbing the entire time she's been seeing me. Bruises from home, from Malcolm, and any other person are all accidents... or I deserve them. She doesn't report these incidents because I beg her not too.

"Again..? I highly doubt this was an accident, but I know you won't tell me the truth." Those words cut me deep, I turned a beet red and looked down at my lap. I clenched my good hand.

"Mrs. Ruben? I think, I broke my hand when I slammed it in the locker..." I offered my hand that Henry stepped on.

Her eyebrows raised a bit in surprise and gently took my hand. It stung, not going to lie. Then she pressed down on it, I couldn't help but cry out in pain. Her office is the only office I'll show I'm pained.

"Jaylyn, this is serious. I have to call your parents. You need to go to the hospital."

"Wait no, I can go after school! I pass one on my way walking home..." A lump formed in my throat. Don't call home, please.

"No, this is serious. I think you did break a metacarpal. If you did, it needs to be set back in place by a doctor."

Well f**k, Jaylyn, what do you do now?

My mind raced, "Please don't call my parents, they won't be home..." Mrs. Ruben eyed me suspiciously. She had moved over to sit at her desk. Clicking of computer keys made me ill. I really felt like vomiting. My only guess was she was pulling up my school file.

"Jaylyn, this is the tenth time in two weeks you've been to visit me. Each time you've been bruised. Granted, this is the first time in two months something maybe broken." She takes a deep breath, "I'm calling your parents. I'm sorry."

"Mrs. Ruben, my dad is gone. My mom is always at work. Please, don't do this." Okay, so a half lie. No idea where my mom goes... work is one option, and my dad really is gone. I feel better that I don't have to completely lie to someone who has helped me for so long.

"Hm..." Mrs. Ruben looked long and hard at the computer screen. "It says that of there is an emergency, and if your parents are unavailable to contact your paternal grandparents..."

"I don't have their information memorized." I quickly lied through my teeth.

"Well, it's a good thing that it's right here on my screen." Mrs. Ruben picked up her office phone and dialed my grandparents' phone number.

All I can do is sit and watch in horror as she holds the phone to her ear.

My guess is that the phone has been ringing for a while... It doesn't put my mind at ease at all. A look of pure horror still sits on my face.

"Hello?" The phone must of been picked up... "Yes, this is Mrs. Ruben... the school nurse at Hogarth High. I have your granddaughter here, Jaylyn Kramer." She paused, almost if she was interrupted. "No, she's not in trouble ma'am."

Oh great... my grandmother picked up the phone...

"No ma'am, but I do urge you to take her to the hospital." A look of bewilderment splattered itself over Mrs. Ruben's face, "Why yes this is urgent. I believe she may have broke a metacarpal." She pauses, "No, I don't know for sure. I do not have the correct equipment to be sure if it is."

I know that my grandma would be arguing with Mrs. Ruben. She was good at that. Like really, my grandma will argue with everyone.

"Well ma'am, that's why I called. I do not have the proper equipment to check it. She needs a doctor who has an x-ray." I could tell Mrs. Ruben was starting to get aggravated. "This is child neglect! I should call child services!"

With the small smile creeping onto her face, I guess Mrs. Ruben cornered my grandmother. Great... just great... my grandma is going to be in such a mood. Hopefully she sends my grandpa or my uncle to come and get me. Doesn't anyone realize that if they try to help, they're not really helping?!

"Alright, well I am going to have to send her to homeroom. She has lunch soon. So after that, she'll be back in the office ready for you to pick her up. This gives her a chance to gather her homework and books. Thank you for understanding." Mrs. Ruben sighed and hung the phone up. "Alright Jaylyn," she turns to look at me. "Go to homeroom, hand your teacher this note... get what you need, go to lunch and come here after." She scribbles on an excused pass and a hall pass for me. She handed them both to me. "You can keep the books here if you need them too."

I swallow the knot in my throat, "Yes Mrs. Ruben..." my shaky hand reached for the notes and I took them both. I can not believe the conversation I just heard... I'm so going to regret having Mrs. Ruben help me this time...