Broken

chapter 17

Sal

What was happening was what I could not comprehend but all I knew was that Maddie was the cause.

I waited outside her house hoping that she would come out and at the same time praying that nothing goes wrong between she and her dad.

This is all my fault.

I kicked my car with my boot to let my frustration out. I heard the door open and I looked up. She walked up to me with teary eyes.

"Sofia would be back from school soon right?"

"Urr.. yeah," I itched the back of my ear.

"Can I go wait for her?" She whispered, almost breaking down.

"Yeah, sure, but if I may ask, how did it go?"

"Fine. Can we go now?"

"You don't look like it," I held her jaw to make sure she looked at me. I knew that I was going too far but I felt like giving it a try. We were friends right?

"Talk to me"

"I re... really..." she wrapped her arms around me and broke down.

"I still find it hard to believe," she choked against my shirt.

"It's okay," was all I could say and hugged her back. Maddie was in so much trouble.

I watched silently and wondered what happened between she and her dad? Good thing I waited. She clenched and gripped my shirt, soaking it with tears.

I was yet to find out what exactly happened in school.

"Can we go to your house?" she asked, almost sounding like a whisper.

"Sure"

We got in the car and drove to my home.

"Sofia has gone to New York with my mom and they wouldn't be back until tomorrow, I don't know if you'll like to stay alone with me"

"It's cool," she replied. Her eyes were swollen and red.

We got to my home and I led her to my room.

"Thanks for having me," she said and faked a smile as she sat.

"It's no problem," I replied, giving her a genius smile. She nodded.

"Can I talk to you?"

"Sure, always"

"Let's start with a question, am I like my mom?" She asked, making me completely confused. I don't know her mom.

"I don't kno..."

"She left her boyfriend for my dad, dad had to break up with his girlfriend because she cheated on him and ended up marrying my mom. When I was twelve, she left dad for another man. Dad told me that the man was divorced and said that she was going to be happier with the man but today...." she took a deep breath and closed her eyes . A drop of tear rolled down her left cheek, I fought the urge to walk up to her and wipe it away. Almost immediately, she opened her eyes and continued.

"Today, Maddie told me something that Dad kept a secret from me for five years, fivveee years. She left my dad for a married man, the man's wife had committed sui-cide," she managed to finish and broke down.

"I'm sorry," I found myself consoling her. I was already next to her hugging her. She smelled perfect.

"Am I like her? Am I like her Sal?! Bu - but I don't want to," She sobbed into my chest.

"No, you're not. You definitely are not. You're Ciara and she's a totally different person only that she gave birth to you"

"I can't believe this is happening,"

"C'mon, calm down. You're not her. You're you. You're being yourself and you can't let Maddie ruin that. You should know by now that Maddie is nothing but trouble. You should try to always ignore her," I found myself saying before realising it.

"But I ..."

"Shh, I think Maddie is the one worse than your mom. I mean, she goes from one man to another. She was dating someone else this time last month. And another different person the month before last month. You should not be moved by her words"

She raised her head to look at me and sighed. "I know Maddie is a b***h," she covered her mouth immediately. "Oops,"

"No, It's fine, not like I'm mother Theresa," I replied and she smiled, making my heart brighten.

Stop it.

"I... I didn't know what happened with mom, dad didn't tell me and I ended up finding out from the Devil's real assistant,"

"Your dad probably did not want to bother you,"

"Poor Alex,"

"I understand how you feel," I pulled her closer. My chin on her head.

"Uh?" She tried to look at me.

"I understand how you feel. I'm in your shoes, If not worse,"

"What... what are you talking about?"

"It's a long story, hey, your dad's calling," I handed her phone to her.

"I don't want to ta-"

"No, you are,"

"You can't tell me what to do."

"Sorry about that but you should take this as an advice not an order." I rolled my eyes, She released herself from the hug.

"Whatever," she replied me.

"C'mon"

"How did Maddie find out?" She asked me as she looked at me sternly. "I don't understand, I mean, It's supposed to be a family thing,"

"I'll find out I promise, I'll find how the hell she found out."

"Thanks but you don't have to,"

"No, I have to. This is all my fault," I spat out

"How?"

"I'm her assumed boyfriend and I kissed you last night, making her want to go nuts"

Her face became red, or I imagined.

"Okay, except the kiss, how is this your fault? I mean, she's obviously a psychotic b***h that would stop at nothing to gain what she thinks she wants. It surprises me that she is Shanya's step si-" her eyes widened immediately like she saw something from an horror movie. "I have not called Shanya,"

"And your dad,"

"I'm not calling him now,"

"I see no reason why you are mad at him. What if he told you earlier, what can it change,"

"It would have changed that fact that I had to find out that way,"

"I believe he wanted to make sure you were alright"

"I can take care of myself," She echoed.

"I know, but you were not even a teenager yet, how could you have handled it?"

"I'll just rest for a while,"

"What are you doing? You should call them,"

"I.."

"Call your dad too,"

"Not after all these s**t,"

"Don't be silly, it's not his fault that Maddie is dumb."

It really was not his fault anyway.

"Fine, I'll call both of them"

"Don't forget, do not ever allow Maddie's words crawl into your skin. Ever." I meant every word I said and I still wanted to talk about yesterday, I mean the kiss. But I'll wait for the right time.

I wanted to know if she really cried because I said hugging her won't happen again. Did she feel what I felt too?

She pulled my hand and stared into my eyes. "Why do I trust you?"

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