Hey! Sorry that it took me so long to update... I actually forgot that this story existed to be honest. But I've gotten two reviews in the last 24 hours, which reminded me. Honestly, guys... If you want me to update, just review. It will remind me that I am depriving you good people of my story.
Anyways, here's a chapter!
My house was cold that night. The basement floor seemed freezing as I lay there, unable to sleep. My mind was buzzing about earlier that day. I can't believe I told Travis. How stupid am I?
I was terrified that either of my parents would find out that I told. Especially my dad. He told me he'd kill me if I told anyone… and I don't want to die. I stared up at the dusty ceiling, my eyes occasionally closing longer than a blink. I heard pounding upstairs, but I wasn't concerned about what they were doing. I turned on my side, and eventually fell asleep.
I got up for school a little late the next day, because I didn't feel well. My right temple was aching, and I knew it was because of how stressed I was. I shouldn't have told Travis. I told my daddy I wouldn't tell anyone, and I should have just stuck to that promise.
I got dressed quickly but quietly, as both my parents were asleep on the couch. After attempting to brush the horrible knots out of my hair and trying to sneak something from the kitchen, I walked to school.
The school was quiet when I walked in, because I arrived late. I got dirty looks shot at me from the main office secretary as I passed by there when I walked to class.
I hated making people angry, but that seemed like all I ever did.
School went fast that day, and before I knew it, the bell was ringing. I slowly walked to my locker, sort of dreading seeing Travis. He would probably question me more about my parents, and I wasn't in the mood for interrogation. For the first time in what seemed like a long tometime, I didn't want to go over to Charles and Alli's house. I got my backpack out of my locker, and slowly walked out of the school. Once out of the school, I broke into a run. The desire to go to Charles and Alli's house burned inside of me like an open flame, but I repressed it. My pace picked up and I ran faster. My heart beat wildly and my breath came out in short gusts. Tears came to my eyes. I tripped over myself, and the pavement was suddenly rushing towards me. I closed my eyes and screamed when my arms and legs hit the pavement. I felt my arms and legs scraping against the road, and I started crying. My tears dripped onto the road, and I felt helpless. About a minute later, I picked myself up. I assessed the damage on my body, and found that my right arm and right leg were bleeding. I tried to walk, but my leg screamed in pain. I cried out and fell to my knees. My leg felt like someone had pulled it with all of their might. Tears came to my eyes again. I looked ahead, and saw Charles and Alli's house. It was about six houses away from where I was, but I could do it. I had to. I had to.
I picked myself up again and took a small step. My knees wobbled, but I was still standing. Slowly, I limped towards their house. My steps were miniscule, and I was exhausted by the time I got to their front porch. I knocked once and gripped the door frame. Alli answered the door.
"Hey Shi… Oh my god!" She took in my bleeding figure, and quickly helped me inside. I cried out when my weight fell on my leg, and she picked me up. Tears sprung into my eyes once more. I buried my face in her shoulder. She smelled pretty.
"Charles!" She called, carrying me to the family room. I heard chair legs slide across the floor, and I knew Charles was getting up. Alli gently laid me down on the couch.
I saw Charles' worried face peek out from behind the couch, and I smiled to the best of my abilities.
"Charles? Is Shiloh here?" I heard Travis' voice from another room. I struggled to get up. This was what I wanted to avoid. I didn't want him to question me, especially not in front of Charles and Alli!
"She's in here, Trav." Charles called. I heard footsteps.
I quickly sat up and uttered a small scream when my leg protested.
"Please lay down, Shiloh," Alli pleaded. "Your leg seems hurt."
"She's hurt?" I heard Travis ask sharply.
"Yeah, and pretty badly too." Alli said, propping my leg up with a pillow. I winced.
"How did she get hurt?" He asked. I looked away from my leg and watched the wall.
"I fell." I said. I felt three pairs of eyes on my face. I closed my eyes and steeled myself against the tears that were brewing in my eyes.
"How did you fall and hurt yourself this badly?" Charles asked, amazed.
"I was running," I said truthfully. "really fast. And then I tripped over my feet and hurt myself."
"This looks really serious, Shiloh," Alli said. "You should stay off of it. We'll take you home."
"NO!" Travis and I cried at the exact same time. Charles and Alli stared at us, confusion flitting across their faces.
"Why not?" Alli asked, her eyes narrowing in suspicion.
"Because… Because my leg feel fine! Plus, gas is really expensive." I babbled.
"Since when do you pay attention to gas prices?" Charles said, bemused. "Either you're lying or you are the most observant nine year old in existence."
"My parents complain about gas prices all the time," I lied, trying to project honesty through my eyes and tone. "It's hard not to notice them."
"Are you sure your leg feels okay, though?" Alli asked. "Do you want to take some tylenol?"
I was confused. "What is 'tylenol?'"
"It's something to make you feel better." She said. "Do you want some? We have tablets…"
"No, it's okay," I said. I stood up. I swayed slightly but quickly regained my balance. I took a step, and my knees almost gave out. Alli caught me before I fell.
"Shiloh, I think you're lying. What's the real reason you don't want us to drive you home?" Alli asked.
I stared at them, then to Travis. He looked helpless. I took a deep breath, and stared at my shoes.
"You can drive me," I said, defeated. "Thank you."
A few minutes later, I was inside Charles and Alli's car. It smelled nice, and was very clean. It pulled out out their driveway, and my body was alight with nerves. If my parents saw Charles taking me home, they would kill me. Literally.
"So where's your house, Shiloh?" Charles asked, looking at me in the mirror.
"Two blocks, the white house with the brown roof," I lied. This wasn't my house. My house was still a block down. If Charles let me out here, then I would be able to come home and my parents wouldn't know I went over to his house every day.
Charles pulled up in front of the white house and the brown roof, and I quickly got out. He rolled down the window.
"You've got everything?" Charles asked. I nodded and smiled.
"Thank you for driving me," I said, trying to sound grateful.
"No problem, Shiloh," He said, smiling. "See you tomorrow?"
"Definitely." I said. He winked at me, rolled up the window, and drove away. I smiled at waved, relieved.
I began the long and painful trek home to my house.