Breaking Through

Chapter 6 - What now?

Janelle P.O.V.

I lay down in my bed and sigh again, closing my eyes with my uninjured arms across my face.

Why did I have to go and break my arm in two places? In such a stupid way ta boot!

I wasn’t able to gloat at uncle Henley, because it turns out, he was right and I was wrong. I’ve been wrong about a lot of things in the past year.

Ugh!

My heart and mind still struggle with everything too.

Maybe I should ask mom to find me a therapist around here? Dr. Brown did help me a lot last summer. Or maybe we could find a way for me to have a facetime appointment or something?

“Janelle, you need to get up now. You’ll be late for school!” My mom yells from downstairs.

Great…School. The last place I want to be today.

I lazily make my way out of my room, dragging my bookbag on the floor.

I sit on a chair and fumble, trying to peel an orange.

“Stupid freaking orange. Stupid arms, Argh!!!!” I grumble, throwing the orange back into the basket in the middle of the table.

“Here, let me help,”

“Whatever,” I snap, rolling my eyes.

“Look, honey, I know having your arm in a cast is not ideal and it can be cumbersome, but that does not give you the right to be so disrespectful,” She says, pointing at me with a piece of orange peel.

“Sorry, mom. I just didn’t sleep well. My arm still hurts. Can’t I just stay home today, please?”

“I’m sorry, honey. You can’t. Please, try to have a good day regardless,” My mother encourages, patting my cheeks. “I packed your lunch already, you shouldn’t have any trouble opening anything in there.”

“You sure I can’t stay home? Just for today?” I plea, again.

“No, you can’t. It’s only your second day in your new school. You can't miss out. You have already missed two weeks from the move and unpacking.”

Damn, I hate that she’s right. But it still would have been great to stay home. I really don’t want to go to school. I don’t want to see a certain someone.

“Fine!” I wine

After finishing my breakfast, I put on the sling the doctor gave me yesterday and try putting on my jacket.

“Mom, my jacket doesn’t fit over my cast,”

“How about your fleece sweater?”

“No, it’ll be too hard to pull over my head with the sling and everything.”

“Humm, I didn’t think about that,”

“I’m gonna freeze to death! Can I really not just stay home?”

“Nive try, but no. Let me check my closet for one of my lined cardigans,”

A few minutes later, she comes back with her navy and beige cardigan.

“You’re letting me borrow your favorite cardigan?!” I ask, astonished.

“Don’t look so shocked. I’m loaning it to you for a good cause.”

“Oh, yeah? What good cause?” I ask with an arched brow and a smirk.

“Cause, you need something to keep you warm. Not shush, and get to school,” My mother laughs, ushering me out the door.

“Thanks, mom,”

“Have a great day, honey. I’ll see you for dinner tonight.”

I make my way to my car and settle in.

Thank god this car isn’t a standard! I wouldn’t have been able to drive it!

I park my car and struggle to get my bag over my shoulder as I step out.

“Need a hand?” Someone asks, running towards me.

“Humm, I’ll manage, but thanks Oliver,”

“Oh my god! What happened to your arm?” He ask, noticing my arms strapped in a sling.

“I just… had a little accident yesterday. It’s no big deal,” I try to say matter of factly.

“It was just a little accident, Janelle,” An irritated Bexley grumbles as he joins Oliver.

I roll my eyes and walk away, ignoring his presence.

“How do you know what happened?”

“We were both on the ice when she got hurt. Coach Henley and I took her to the hospital.”

“Oh wow. How did you get hurt? Did you fall?” Oliver suddenly gasps. “Did you hurt her?” He yells at Bexley, stopping both me and Belxey from walking further.

“Are you f*****g serious right now? You really think I would do something like that?”

“Well, you seemed pretty pissed off at her yesterday. I don't think it would be too far-fetched to think you would,”

“You’re an asswhole if you think I’d ever purposely hurt someone.” Bexley scoffed. “ I can't believe my so-called best friend thinks so lowly of me. For the record, no, I didn't hurt her. At least not physically. I might have hurt her feelings, but I would never hurt her physically!” He spat, pushing Oliver backward.

“Hey, guys! Stop fighting!” I scream, placing myself between them.

“Bexley didn’t hurt me. I got distracted and hit the side rink. You don’t need to blame anyone but me for getting hurt,” I say to Oliver before turning to Belxey, “And you don't have to get mad at your friend like this. Yeah, you did hurt my feelings, but I know you’d never hurt me physically. You got way too mad at me for being alone on the ice the first time we met! You seemed really scared I’d get hurt being alone. Now, will the two of you cool off?”

They both take a few deep breaths. Oliver leaves without saying a word, leaving me alone with Bexley.

“Is your arm broken? Or only sprained?” He asks, pointing at my cast.

“Why do you care?” I spat angrily. But as soon as I see the hurt on his face, I regret it.

“Can we just talk? I mean like normal people.

I stare at him, unsure of how I should respond.

“Please. We both have a free period this morning. Can we just, I don’t know, go for a walk or something?”

“I don’t know… if it’s a good idea, Bexley” I exhale, closing my eyes for a second.

“Please? I swear I’ll be on my best behavior!” He says, giving me a million-dollar smile.

“Humm, ok, I guess,”