Recap: Sighing heavily I stood turned towards hell. As I twisted the worn gold door knob I thought I was prepared for the pain that came from the fist colliding with my gut, never have I been so wrong.


Jack's POV:

Once again Monday had not come soon enough for me, I had gotten to the school early once again. The seemingly vacant parking lot was no surprise, I think I'm the only person on Earth that enjoys going to school. Like every day before this one, I had the hood from my hoodie pulled up around my face trying to hide from the world.

My weekend was pretty much a blur, I took a swig of the vodka/water combination that I had in a plastic Poland Springs bottle to help dull the pain I was in. On the side of the school there was a hill that was used as a place to pick up kids after school. I walked over to a tree and leaned against it. I kept taking deep breaths to help calm my nerves, I have never had to hide this much pain from so many people. At my old school, half of the kids were beaten up by someone anyway so the teachers just ignored. Genuinely not caring about what shape their students were in. Here was different, I had no other option than to hide, if I didn't, the consequences could be much worse.

After a few minutes the Vodka started doing its job which consisted of keeping me warm while numbing the pain. I reached in my pocket and popped in another pain pill; knowing that I would need it to simply get through the day. My body wretched forward immediately, the mixture between the drugs and the booze made me want to puke, but I forced myself to hold it down. I was not going to waste the pill and I was sure as hell not going to waste the Vodka.

It took all of five minutes for the feeling to completely pass, the sun was just starting to poke its head out from the tips of the trees. A few minutes later busses were started to pulling into the bus port and I decided I wanted to beat the rush. I stood and made a beeline for the front door, my mask up, unbreakable, and ready.

I walked to class in silence, pushing past the other kids in the hallway. The only thing that made me happy about today was that I had Art class first today. I walked to my seat at the far end of the room and sat down. A few seconds after I sat down the door burst open and students came running in talking frantically about their weekends. Anya and Andrew walked in and sat next to me, I greeted them both with a warm smile. Anya went on and on about her weekend as Andrew and I sat there listening. Of course, the last person to enter the classroom was North, he made it just before the bell rang.

Just then, the teacher walked in and yelled at North to sit down. He then proceeded to tell us that we were going to be starting a project where we had to sketch and paint a portrait of our favorite thing about winter. I was excited and so was North, for once, "What are you going to paint North?" I asked curious at his sudden likeness of Art.

He smiled, "I'm going to paint my house at Christmas time it's beautiful the way my mom decorates. What are you going to do Jack?" He asked.

"There's a lake by my house that is really nice and in winter it freezes over and gets covered in ice." I stared off into space picturing it and exactly how I wanted to draw it. My hand relaxed suddenly and the pencil I was holding fell to the floor. I leaned over to pick it up, and as soon as I reached down my side erupted in pain. It was so unbearable I fell off the art stool and onto the floor. Andrew and North rushed over to help me, I felt dizzy so everything Andrew was signing was a blur.

The art teacher Mr. Moon came over and helped me stand. His voice was riddled with concern when he spoke, "Jack are you alright? Do you want to go to the nurse?" I shook my head and sat back down in my seat.

Anya handed me my water bottle and encouraged me to drink, I shook my head no but she continued to press, "Jack you need to drink something. It will help you with your dizziness maybe your just dehydrated." I took the bottle and took a sip of the Vodka/water concoction, which only made me feel worse. I sat through the rest of Art with my head pressed to the desk ignoring everything. Unfortunately, the cool table did very little to calm my pounding head.

Finally the bell rang, which meant it was time to trudge to English class, and in my current state I knew it wasn't going to be anything less than torture. Thank goodness today we had a substitute, so we were only supposed to read silently to ourselves. I ended up staring at the same page for the full forty minutes. To be honest, I tried to read Beowulf, I really did. However, after about five minutes all the words just seemed to blur together.

The bell finally rang and I walked to study hall with Aster and North. For the second time today I just sat there with my head pressed against the table. I could tell they were concerned, and really, it was nothing new to me I was simply just nauseous, and in pain. I do not know how much longer I could go without puking my guts out, but I forced myself to keep my composure.

Aster and North helped me get to lunch where I just sat there practically gagging at the others eat. I poked at the leftover rice that we had for dinner last night not eating a bite of it. I did not notice continuous the worried glances that the others exchanged amongst themselves.

After lunch, I dozed through Math, but I forced myself to say awake for Chemistry. No matter how much my head hurt I refused to fail that class. I finished whatever was left in my "water bottle" just as Chemistry ended. As I walked outside of the warm dry building into the cold misty rain, with my hood pulled over my face. I jumped when a hand was placed on my shoulder. I turned and was surprised to see that it was Aster, who proceeded to drag me to his car.

I was going to protest when he held up a finger silencing me, "Don't speak just listen, I am going to drive you home. I know you don't feel well mate." I nodded and got in the passenger seat of his car. The ride was silent as I led him to my house. He didn't say anything when I led him to the bad side of town or when he pulled into the Orphanage parking lot.

I simply thanked him for the ride and gave him directions to get back out onto the main road. I turned to the building and walked up to the door. I was about to grab my key out of my bag Felix opened it. I picked him up and walked inside, never once turning back to Aster.

Aster's POV:

I was lost in thought the entire way home. Questions raced through my mind, I had no idea Jack was an orphan. It did explain a lot though. Why it took him so long to warm up to us, or why he never wanted me to give him a ride. I pulled into my driveway and sat there for a bit, collecting my thoughts.

Honestly, I could care less about him being an orphan. That didn't change my opinion of him one bit. I was, however, worried about him. He did not look well at all today. I got out of my car and ran to my front door to get out of the shitty cold weather. I walked to my room and pulled out my cellphone to text Sandy.

A: Hey sandy you there?

S: Hey Aster what's hanging?

A: I was wondering if you had time to talk?

S: Of course I do Ast! :D What's up?

A: So I ended up driving Jack home today because I was worried about him.

S: That was really nice of you. He didn't look too good :/

A: I know! That's why I insisted. I got to house only to find out that he lives in the orphanage across town.

S: Really...oh. How was the trip there?

A: It was quiet, but not the awkward kind, m-ore so the pleasant kind. I just don't know if I should tell the others or not.

S: I don't think you should. Let Jack be the one to tell them or have them find out. You wouldn't want him to get mad at you and lose your trust.

A: Idk Sandy I don't think he's being treated right.

S: What makes you say that Aster?

A: I saw him at Starbucks over the weekend (he works there) and when Sophie pulled his hat off his head and I saw a bruise on his face about the size of someone's hand. You wouldn't be able to tell if it was your first time meeting him, so my mom didn't notice. But I did.

S: Child Abuse is a big accusation to make against someone. It especially gets messy at places like orphanages with other kids, you never REALLY know who hit who.

A: I know, I know but it make sense doesn't it. Considering the fact he's so skinny, always hiding behind a sweatshirt, and he never has a lunch.

S: I'm not saying that you're wrong Ast. I'm just saying that we need genuine proof if we want to help him. We don't want to make his life any worse if that kind of thing is going on.

A: Your right Sandy. I gotta go eat dinner. I'll talk to you later let's just keep this between you and me ok?

S: Sure thing Aster :) talk to you later.