okay, here's my newest story! But first two things:
Disclaimer: I do not own anything
Summary: Five troubled teenagers are brought together by their losses. They've all been hurt in some way, but here's the story of their struggle to regain some of what they've lost. There's Claire, whose parents' messy divorce has resulted in attempted suicide. Kristen's anorexic sister has left her family anxious and protective. Cam's there too, his dad arrested and his mom barely getting by. And of course Derrick. Mysterious, brooding Derrick who Massie has a hard time keeping out. But with her first love so recently dead, it can't be more than mutual friendship. Right?
My boyfriend is dead. His name was Landon Crane, and I've never loved anyone the way I loved him. His death was a hard blow, and that's why I'm here, sitting among four other people each with their own problems they're being forced to share.
The boy beside me stands. His attitude is stoic and his words are soft, even though his appearance is tough.
"My name is Cam Fisher. My dad was abusing my mom."
Everyone's explanation is short and vague. Like me, no one is eager to spill their secrets and pain with a group of strangers. It's all Ms. Myner's idea, the lady in charge of us five 'troubled' teens. As Cam is last, she stands, clapping her hands together with a smile that's all too enthusiastic.
"And now we've met everyone," she says, glancing at the clock. Its three thirty- fifteen minutes until our first meeting is officially over. "Let's use the rest of the time to mingle, shall we? Remember, we're family now!"
I turn to Cam, but he's already gone, chatting quietly with a boy I vaguely remember as Derrick. There are two other girls, but they're both sitting in stiff silence. One is a girl named Kristen while the other I can't seem to remember. She's blonde, her pin- straight hair falling over her face and her straight- across bangs brushing against her eyes. I walk over to her in an attempt to make conversation.
"Hi," I say quietly. She looks up only once, her eyes a piercing blue.
"Hello." Her voice is sharp and understated, cutting through the low murmur of the room even at such a low volume.
"My name is Massie."
"Claire." Kristen looks over in what might be longing, but she remains silent, and so does Claire. These people aren't conversationalists, and once more the room falls into an awkward silence.
Finally Ms. Myner speaks. "Well it seems as though our time's up. Until tomorrow, everyone!"
There's a scattering of noise as everyone quickly gathers their things. As I walk through the door I brush against someone and I stumble away from them quickly.
"Sorry," I mumble, glancing up at them. It's Derrick, the tall brooding guy from which I only heard two words- Derrick Harrington- during the whole meeting.
He doesn't answer, and is out the door before I can react without even a second glance.
I end up walking home. The streets are quiet, even though it's almost four and most people should be heading home by now. The silence is only broken by the occasional shriek or laughter from a child running past me with glee.
A car zooms by, pauses, and then reverses. It idles by me, and I stop. It's Skye and Dylan, the radio blaring behind them. Skye is driving, and waves as Dylan rolls down the window and sticks her head out.
"Massie!" I offer a smile in response. I've been avoiding them since the funeral, mainly because their carefree attitude on everything makes me nauseous in my time of despair. "Do you need a ride?"
I shake my head, fingering a strand of hair. "Thanks, but no thanks."
Skye shoots me a worried look as Dylan shrugs. Skye knows me better, and that's why she senses my unease.
"Are you alright?" she asks, voicing her concern while Dylan doesn't bother to. When I nod, she looks unconvinced, but scoots the car forward. With one last look to confirm, she drives off.
I sigh and keep walking. We used to be best friends, but with Landon gone I've extracted myself from my old life. Now my presence is no longer expected at parties, and my absence is no longer questioned. I've faded from their minds.
As I turn into my driveway someone catches my eye. It's a boy, poised to step into my neighbor's house. Did he just that exchange? Strange, I think as he disappears inside, Ms. Linda doesn't have kids. Then again he didn't look too young, and yet he isn't old enough to be her lover. This is forgotten the moment my little brother jumps into my arms.
"Massie!" he exclaims as I lift him into my arms. I hug him, burying myself into his six- year- old cuteness.
"How are you, Danny?" I ask as I set him down. His face is full of boyish pride.
"I learned how to swim today," he announces as he takes my hand and leads me into the house. My mother is there, leaning over what seem to be cookies.
"That's great!" I say, trying to muster up enough enthusiasm to pass. Danny seems satisfied, and then turns to his newest interest- the cookie dough.
"Cookies?" My mom pushes the plate towards me while Danny helps himself to two. I grimace. My mom thinks the only method of comfort is comfort food. Emphasis on food.
"No thanks," I reply, shaking my head. "Maybe later."
She glances at me but drops it. That's how we are. A sea of unsaid words has created a rift between us since the divorce. It's not the same anymore.
"I'll be upstairs," I say, dragging my bag behind me. I step into my room and close my eyes, the door shut securely behind me.
Then I take out my phone, where multiple messages are waiting for me. I've been avoiding them, but I figure I might as well sort through them while I have the chance.
The first is my dad, who is busy in Florida with a new girlfriend and new house. "Hey, kiddo! How are you? Listen, I'm real sorry to hear what happened. How 'bout you come down to spend a week with Linda and me? It'll take your mind off things. Let me know!"
In his mind I'll always be the kid. A kid he can make happy just by offering a weekend visit. I shake my head, pressing delete. The next is from Ms. Myner.
"Hello, everyone! I'd like to invite you to a barbeque this Friday at my house with all your friends! It will be lots of fun and we'll talk about details tomorrow."
I hesitate. Fun? With the group I met today? Not likely.
I throw my phone onto the bed where it lands with a light thump. I can't help but think of what Landon and I would have been doing now. Lounging by the pool, maybe, or watching the sunset from my roof. Instinctively I glance at my window, the gateway to where it all began.
But I can't. Not without Landon there to gently wrap his arm around me as the last ray of light disappears. And yet I still find myself sliding open the window and removing the screen before scrambling out, something that's so familiar to me I want to cry.
I've spent a million times up there on that roof, but never alone. Never without Landon. The sunset is beautiful, but now there's no one but me to admire its hues.
"I miss you," I whisper, but no one's there to hear me. "I wish I was gone too."
My voice wavers and a tear escapes as I try to blink it away, but it's no use. Memories pour in from all sides, crumbling the wall I built with ease.
"Why did you leave me?" I'm talking to myself, but that's okay. There's no one interested in listening, anyway. "I loved you. I would have done anything for you!"
I pause, taking in shaky breaths. I've been avoiding the pain that's built up since his death, and now it's hard to even let a drop break free.
"You told me you loved me out here," I continue, and I almost feel Landon beside me. I look around, but the roof remains empty. It was just a chill. "With you gone, I don't know how I can keep living."
And that's as far as my outburst can go. I can't bear more, because then I'll remember his smile, the twinkle in his eye when he laughed, the way his- I stop. Someone is staring at me through Ms. Linda's top window. It's the same silhouette from this afternoon, but this time I'm able to place it. It's Derrick.
On impulse I raise my hand in greeting, but then I don't know what to expect. Will he respond? He simply turns away and lets the curtain fall, the night dark once again and the stars my only companions.
I climb back in, hurriedly wiping away the tears that have already half- dried. I'm startled to find Danny in my room, patiently waiting for me while he sits on my bed.
"Mom wants to see you," he says, ignoring my red eyes and tear-streaked face. We both learned to do that.
I nod and he jumps off the bed, gives me a quick hug, and is out the door.
I walk down slowly, taking my time. When I see my mom she's sitting at the table, eyes glazed over in deep thought and hands wringing the air. She's nervous about something. I clear my throat and she jumps, looking thoroughly startled.
"Massie! Sorry, I was just… how are you?" she asks as I take a seat. I regard her cautiously.
"Fine."
"Massie… I'm worried about you. I put you with Ms. Myner because of that. Is everything okay?" Here is my chance to tell her everything I feel, and yet I find myself unwilling to do so. My mom has been so distant I find myself wondering if I even really trust her.
"I'm fine," I insist. She's falters, and it's evident she's debating whether to pursue it or not. She decides on the latter, giving me a cautious smile.
"Are you sure?" And those are her final words. I can easily read them. I give her the answer she wants- the one where she can go on about her business without having to help, even if it is a lie.
"I'm fine.
so what did you think? review si vous plait!
