10

3 years later- August

I wanted to believe that after all this time, the dreams would be less severe, but they weren't. I was in the hospital for three weeks recovering. The doctors told me everything that happened to me. The trauma and the murder of womb. There was no way I could have children; the damage was too severe. Mom never left my side though. She saw to it my hospital bills were taken care of. I know Dr. Loomis helped with some bills even though I know she never wanted to talk to him or have him near me again.

Annie and Lynda visited. The story for them was I fell down some stairs and had some broken ribs. Luckily, they didn't dig too deep, but they couldn't anyways. It's not like I had too many bruises. But I never saw Michael again. I couldn't. all I know is that they are still trying to have him transferred, but at the moment there's no room at any of the other facilities to take him.

I didn't want to go to counseling but everyone was begging me to go. Sherriff Leigh, my mom, Dr. Loomis when he saw me outside of the hospital. But I was trying to make it all the past. I graduated high school, and took a year to myself to figure out what I wanted to do with my life. I wanted to do something with communication maybe public relations or teaching.

So here I am, my second week at Briar Ridge University. It was in state and an hour from my mom's. Annie and Lynda also go there, and that I was extremely grateful for that. They both were juniors, so they knew where everything was. We still kept in touch. Leigh, wow it felt weird being old enough to be on a first name basis with the sheriff, wanted me to be the responsible person keeping an eye out on his little girl. As if she wasn't partying already.

Everything was unpacked at my dorm and I had a roommate. Lacy Herrington. She was a clean, curvy girl with thick rimmed glasses and blown out hair. She loved her turtle necks and slacks and constantly had her nose in a book. She's a sophomore too. She's nice I guess. I was walking across the campus now to the student book store. I needed a textbook for one of my prerequisite classes. I had a navy green bag to carry my stuff in. I was in a black crop top beneath an oatmeal cardigan and brown jeans. My hair had grown bigger and longer over the years. I had my side bangs pinned back with a brown clip.

As people passed me I noticed they did second glances at me. I knew why and I didn't care. I was hoping to be completely invisible these next four years. I didn't want to meet new friends or make connections with people I didn't know.

"Kyra! Hey Kyra!" I hear Annie's familiar voice. I turn to see her getting up from the school's fountain and tossing her bag over her shoulder. Her black tresses had gotten longer. She was in a blue tank beneath a denim jacket and jeans.

"Hey girl. What's up?" I asked a bit too calmly for my own good. She smiled.

"Was about to head to my class. But figured I'd get some food before I go. You heading to the student center?" she asked. The center was in the same building as the book store. It was quite a big building. I nodded.

"Yeah. Just needed to get a book for my History of Illinois class." I replied. Her eyes popped.

"Oh that class is easy. I got some old notes at my place if you want them." she told and I smiled some.

"Yes please." I replied with excitement. We were nearing the two-story brown building. The second floor was for studying and whatever else.

"Soooo any guys catch your eyes?" she asked and I just looked away.

"No. Not going to happen." I replied. She rolled her eyes and huffed.

"You can't let this insecurity take advantage of your life. I mean this is college, everyone has a scar whether it's hidden or visible. You are still a beautiful woman with a bright and generous soul who deserves all the good things in the world." she said. I glanced up at her feeling warmth in my body from her words.

"You really think so?" I asked and she nodded.

"I know so." she said sweetly. "This is the beginning of your life. College is the time to experiment with your life and figure out what you like." I thought about her words and looked ahead for a second. Before realizing Lynda hadn't shown up somewhere.

"Have you seen Lynda?" I asked and she nodded.

"Yeah. She's studying with her girlfriend in the library." she said with a chuckle and I nodded slowly.

"Oh wow." I replied getting her meaning as we moved inside the building.

"What do you want from the Chinese place?" she asked moving down to the right of us. The book store was to the left. I shrugged.

"Surprise me!" I replied. "I'll meet you there in a second." I looked ahead and kept walking. I passed a glass encasement with trophies and pictures of students who did some kind of achievement. I paused in my walk once I caught a glimpse of my reflection. I slowly turned and faced the glass leaning forward tilting my head as I examined the scar that ruined the right side of my face. I used to wonder what's worse… being disfigured by my father as a young child or attacked by a lifelong friend. Guess in the end life fucks us all. The glass showed the reflection of the window behind me and I saw someone standing there facing the window. The figure was large and still. I turned quickly to see no one was there. Get a hold of yourself. I kept on walking. I answered a few texts from my mom and carried on with my task.

I was passing a small lounge with some TVS in the walls and chairs around small little study tables. There were four guys sitting there, laughing and fooling around, but I didn't pay much attention to them. I kept a side glance in their direction and kept walking. I just wanted to get to the other side. I could tell they were staring at me as I passed their chairs. One of them suddenly leaned back on the chair so his back slid over the chair some.

"Hi." he suddenly said just as I was passing him. I slowed my walking and looked down at the peach skinned, curly red-haired man. He's in some white baseball shirt and jeans. His eyes are a vibrant and his smile wide exposing the small dimple in his chin. I wasn't afraid to show how uncomfortable I was now that I managed to slow down enough for all of them to see my face.

"Hi?" I responded awkwardly already moving again.

"I'm Jack." he said suddenly and I just nodded.

"Oh." I managed to reply before turning and this time escaping the boys. I could hear their snickering and I immediately sped off. They were laughing at me. Once I saw the nearest girl's bathroom, I barged in, locked myself in the stall and just panted and cried. I placed the top of my hand over mouth and just sobbed some. My heart was pounding so fast it hurt. I closed my mouth so I could breathe through my nose some. God, get it together. You're grown. People are going to say things until the day I die. I had to take control over this. I mean why did I care? I shouldn't care. It's high school all over again. And once again I'm going to be an outcast at fucking college, because of this fucking scar. But then again there's worst pains right. I sniffled and wiped my tears and cleared my throat. I left the stall and checked myself out in the mirror.

Some older woman came in and shot me a smile as she checked herself in the mirror beside me. I could smell the cigarette wafting off her.

"Oh. Nice scar babe." she suddenly said with a grainy tone. I looked away and she went aww. "Remember it's college, everyone has a scar whether it's on the outside or the inside. You fit right in." Without saying anything else she left and I just stared at myself now pondering on the woman's words. Maybe it was time I stopped feeling sorry for myself about this.

Author's Notes

So here's an update. More coming soon. I have no idea why I pictured Cole Hauser as a portrayal for jack, but I thought he'd be a nice fit for him. Anyways updating soon.