Chapter Three

I straighten up, close my notebook, and place my pen on top of it neatly; even though I have told this story a hundred times, I never know where to start.

"Erm, well, I was born here, and I stayed here for the first few months after I was born, but then my Mum and Dad got a divorce when I was a few months old, my Mum took me to Phoenix with her after the divorce. I used to spend every summer here until I was fourteen. Mine and my dad's relationship was kind of off. We're both quiet, so it didn't mix well, so I decided to stop coming back. Well, up until a few months ago. My mum remarried my step-dad Phil, who is a minor league baseball player. He was on the road, and my mum stayed home with me, but I knew it made her unhappy, so I decided to stay with my dad for a while. Like I said complicated '', I said, explaining my whole life story to a guy I just met half an hour ago.

He sat there staring at me like he was interested in everything I said. He looked confused slightly, but I had no idea.

"You're not kidding. Now you're unhappy", he said.

It didn't sound like a question but more like a statement. Do I look that miserable?

"Do I look that miserable," I asked, smiling.

He shook his head like he was annoyed at something.

"No. I'm just trying to figure you out. You're very difficult for me to read", he admitted.

What? What did he mean by reading? I wanted to question him on what he meant, but the bell rang, and within seconds he was up and out of the room before I could register with what was going on. I frowned and sighed while packing my book back into my bag. That was weird how Edward left like that. Like he knew I was going to question him, and he wanted to avoid being challenged. I shook my head, grabbed my jacket and bag, and left the room. My last class was gym, but I didn't feel up to it. I'd probably hurt someone or myself, so I decided to head to my truck. I couldn't concentrate on anything. The only thing that was on my mind was Edward, and it's annoying how one guy can affect me so much.

Once I made it to my truck, I unlocked it and hopped in, throwing my bag onto the passenger side. I took a deep breath that I didn't know I was holding in and let it go. The second I did, tears ran down my face. My emotions were all over the place. First with Edward and then with Mike. Why was he like this? He was supposed to be my friend. I looked down at my wrist and pulled my sleeve up, and saw the massive bruise that had been forming all day since break time. I studied it for a few moments and then pulled my sleeve down in frustration.

I breathed deeply and then put the key in the ignition and started my truck. It roared to life, and I slowly backed out of the space. I had a feeling that I shouldn't be driving right now, but I had to get home.

As I approached my house, I saw that Charlie's cruiser was already parked outside the house. What was he doing home so early? He was usually at the station by the time I got home on a full day, so I was surprised to see that he was already home. I parked up behind his cruiser and got out of my truck. I hope he will be okay with me coming home earlier. It's not like I skipped an important class. It was the only gym. I didn't have to worry about fishing out my key as the door would already be unlocked, so I just walked straight in. Charlie was sitting on his chair in front of the TV watching some football game that he recorded. He turned around when he heard my appearance. He looked confused, and I didn't blame him. We were both homes early.

"Hey, kiddo. What are you doing home so early," he asked.

I took off my jacket and shoes at the front door and put them away neatly, unlike Charlie's jacket and belt, which he just left dumped on the back of the sofa.

"I wasn't feeling too well, so I decided just to come home," I said.

This alarmed Charlie as he stood up from his chair. He always worries about me.

"Are you okay"?

I walked through to the kitchen, grabbed a cup from the cupboard, and filled it with water.

"It's just a headache. Do you mind if I skip dinner tonight and just head to bed" I asked.

I always make dinner for the both of us, and I feel guilty as I have to use sickness as an excuse to lock myself away.

"Sure, kiddo. Get some sleep", he said, and I thanked him as I made my way upstairs.

Once I was in my room, I locked my door and got ready for bed. I wasn't tired, but I didn't want to deal with anyone right now. I just wanted to shut myself away. After I got ready for bed, I grabbed pride and prejudice from my bag and got under the covers, and started to read.

Before I knew it, it was already dark outside, and when I looked at my alarm clock next to my bed, it was already ten o'clock. I put my book on my bedside table and turned my lamp off, and closed my eyes.