Broken: Chapter 14

A/N: I'm so sorry for not updating for so long, a lot of stuff happened this summer. Someone very close to me had committed suicide. And I'd taken it pretty hard. But things are good now, and I'm finally grieving in a healthy way. I'd just like to let everyone know, if you ever feel alone, or that no one cares… ending it all isn't the answer. And I've even had thought of it, but you realize there are good people out there that really care about you. Anyone who is in need of a friend or in need of help or advice I'm always here to listen, because I care. And I'll always be there to hear you out. With love-forevergone123

Chelsea:

I don't really know why those words hurt like a thousand bee stings. I shouldn't even care what a jerk like that thinks of me, but for some reason when he told me he hated me too, my heart felt like is was being stepped on. I think I ran all the way up to the top of the mountain before I realized my sides were burning with pain, and I couldn't possibly take another step. I looked around to make sure no one can see the crazy, emotional girl who is usually kept together, happy and go lucky. I didn't see anyone so I just fell to my knees, bent down and felt the warm earth touch my tear streaked face. My hands began to shake and it almost felt like all the weight of the world was sitting on my chest. I almost wished someone would come and find me and try to make this pain go away, but at the same time I wanted to be all alone like this forever.

I blinked slowly, my eyes still swollen from crying, and looked around. It was dark, dirt was stuck to my clothes and mouth, and my head was pounding. I must have been here for hours.

"Crap… Mark is going to be so pissed off at me," I whispered. I got up as fast as possible and started my long walk back to the farm house. I tried to think of some lame excuse as to why I was still out and about, but I could only concentrate on the peaceful chirps of the crickets, and the pounding of my head. I finally reached the dirt path leading up to the house, and I couldn't help but notice the lights on and the two people sitting on the couch, laughing and having a good time. Mark and Julia… laughing and touching and giggling. I swallowed hard, telling myself it was nothing. It was nothing.. it wasn't like that year back in the city with that girl… they are friends after all. But my hands still shook while I pulled out my keys and unlocked the door.

Mark looked over at me, still laughing from some joke Julia had told him. "Oh hey, Chelsea. I didn't notice you were gone. Were you out in the barn again?"

I looked down at the floor, a little hurt that he hadn't noticed that I was gone. "Y-yeah. I just got caught up with work."

I smiled weakly at Julia and Mark, and threw my rucksack down on the floor. It suddenly felt really quiet and awkward in the house. Almost as if I was the intruder. Julia got up and smiled politely at me and grabbed her boots and left, leaving an uncomfortable silence in her place.

"So where were you really, Chelsea?" Mark asked with a little hint of anger lingering in his voice.

"I told you, I got caught up in work. I must have fell asleep in the barn," I huffed.

Mark gazed at me for a second. But not the way he usually does. He was looking at me as if I were a stranger just now introducing myself; his green eyes filled with distrust.

"Look, Mark, I'm tired. I've had a long day."

I began to walk towards the shower, my eyes beginning to sting while I tried to blink away the tears.

"Chelsea?"

"Yeah?"

Mark looked down. "Nothing. Never mind."

My heart sank, wishing he would just talk to me. It seems since we've moved here, he's been growing farther and farther from me. I sat in the shower maybe for an hour or two, letting the hot water slowly become colder and colder until goose bumps covered my entire body. So many things were running through my head. I was just so exhausted. But I knew that the moment my head hit the pillow, I wouldn't be able to sleep.

That night, I laid I bed thinking of Vaughn and Mark.

But what scared me most was my mind wandered to Vaughn more and more as I tossed and turned.

…vaughn

I laid in bed thinking of the time I kissed Chelsea on the lips. I smiled at the thought of her cute face as it turned bright red. Regret filled my heart…. Just a few hours ago I told her I hated her. I held onto the sheets and clenched my teeth together…. Why does her memory still haunt me? Why can't I forget the time when we were only 8… and I was sure I was in love? I finally fell asleep, dreaming of being in that willow tree with the Chelsea I remember.

"Good morning Vaughn…. we've been having such lovely weather haven't we?"

The spring wind blew Sabrina's jet black hair behind her ears as she smiled sweetly at me. It's hard to go on morning walks nowadays… ever since Sabrina came to this island, she's waited for him every morning by her house.

"It's ok I guess."

Sabrina blushed, as if I had said "Not as lovely as you baby, kiss me now!"

"Vaughn….. Ummm… I was wondering I-If you would like-"

Sabrina was cut off when Chelsea walked up, her hair grimy and tangled... Her bandanna and clothes wrinkled. Her eyes were red and puffy as if she had been crying all night. "Sabrina, I don't mean to interrupt, but have you seen Mark anywhere?"

I looked at Chelsea, and her eyes were filled with hope and pain. She looked awful… I wonder what had happened to her after our ordeal.

"No…. I'm sorry Chelsea. You should ask Julia… I think she saw him last."

Chelsea closed her eyes, and sighed while she rubbed her temples. Then she smiled sadly and went back to the farm. I watched her walk away, wanting to run up to her, ask her what was wrong, hold her tight and tell her everything was ok. But I didn't.

Sabrina noticed me watching… and frowned. "Vaughn!"

"Hmm, what, what is it?"

"Would you like to go on…. A date with me? To the café this afternoon?"

What?! Did she just ask me out… oh goddess…. This is just great. Because I love people already as it is…. I just love having awkward first dates with stalker-ish girls.

"Well…. This is unexpected Sabrina… I guess I can just this once … I'm not busy."

Sabrina gasped happily… saying something about getting ready… and ran off. Thank goddess… I can finally be alone.

….chelsea…

I opened my eyes slowly, squeezing them shut when the blinding light made my head pound. My hands automatically went to Mark… but nobody was there. I shot up, looked around… ignoring the searing pain that ran up my entire body.

"Mark?!"

"Mark….where are you?"

I got out of bed and ran through the crop fields… into the barn and chicken coop… and finally stumbling into the stable. I felt like someone had just beaten the living crap out of me…. And memories of that horrible night came flooding back. I can still remember Mark and Akari's face when I caught them in my bed together. Akari left sobbing while Mark and I screamed at each other… I thought we were finally together… but Mark said it was just a kiss… we were only friends who fool around occasionally. But this time is different. We were together…. He'd never cheat. But where is he? I tried to wait it out… maybe he went to the café to get some coffee. I rushed through my daily chores, but I still couldn't stop thinking about where he was. I looked like crap, knowing this; I still shuffled into town asking everyone he had been seen by any chance.

I saw Sabrina and Vaughn talking… and for some reason jealousy raged through me. I walked a little faster than I should have towards them to ask her about Mark. She told me the one thing I didn't want to hear… he was with Julia.

I decided I just wanted to go home, clean myself off and try not to think about it. I love him so much… he's the first person I ever loved… I just hope I'm being paranoid and he isn't with her.

I showered and brushed my hair… even changed my rancid clothes. But I was still feeling on the verge of passing out. Flashes of snow…. Two people who looked just like me yelling… a car crash just kept running through my head like black outs.

"Is that what friends do?"

"Yea... it's what friends do"

"Why can't I remember," I whispered as I grabbed my shoes and ran out the door.

…..vaughn

This. Is. Awkward. As. Fuck. Sabrina didn't say a damn thing the entire time… just squeaked and blushed. And I'm not used to being the one to make conversation. So we just practically ate our cake and tea in silence.

"Vaughn…. I-I've been meaning to say this for a long time now… and I love you…. W-Will you be my boyfriend?"

I looked up from my delicious cake, trying not to either laugh or look horrified. Did I come off as a man in need of a girlfriend? Perhaps. But I don't know if I'm boyfriend material.

"Sabrina… We just started hanging out. I think it's best if we wait. I'm not sure if I feel the same way about you. So maybe in time, I will. But as for now, I must decline."

Sabrina's eyes filled with tears… and she grabbed onto my hand.

"It's Chelsea isn't it?! Now she's back, and you want her like you did when we were eight!"

I yanked my hand away from hers… feeling a little angry at this. I didn't mention Chelsea once when I was explaining that I didn't love her.

"No," I said coldly and quietly, "I just don't love you Sabrina… not the way you love me."

I walked out of the café, no longer able to take in the poor woman crying, desperately trying to persuade me to love her ….

I went back to the animal shop and continued to work as if nothing had happened. But I felt guilty. I like Sabrina, and I may even grow to love her in a few years. But I just don't now. I needed to bury myself in work… think about it some more. Maybe if I fell for her, I could finally forget Chelsea.

And of coarse just as this thought went through my mind, Chelsea walks in. She looks better than before… but she seems to be in a lot of pain, and she's really trying to hide it.

"Chelsea darling are you alright?"

"I'm fine Mirabelle. Just a little tired. Hehe, farm work is a lot more strenuous than I anticipated," she smiled weakly.

She kept glancing around, as if she was looking for somebody in here. I tired not to stare at her sapphire blue eyes. I also tried to ignore the fact they still make my heart race.

"Why don't you stop lying Chelsea? Tell us why you're really here. You're looking for your scummy boyfriend aren't you?"

Chelsea's eyes turned from hurt to hatred in a second. I could feel the air almost grow colder.

"What the hell is your problem?!"

"….I don't know," I whispered.

She gave me a confused glare, stormed up to me and got real close to me… I could see small tears forming at the corner of her eyes.

"Then why do you say things that hurt me so much don't you know I loved you?!"

My eyes grew wide… and my cheeks turned a deep red. Then my heart filled with hope, maybe, just maybe she remembers ten years ago everything we shared. But as soon as she said it, I could tell she didn't know why. Her hand flew to her mouth in shock and she backed away.

"I-I'm sorry. I don't know why I said that…" and she started to walk away. I just couldn't let her go after that.

"No wait," I yelped as I grabbed her arm…. And for the first time it looked as if she recognized me.

…chelsea

Everything came flooding back to me. Every thing…. My parents … Vaughn... My already heavy heart grew ten times heavier. I lost my best friend… and I watched my parents die. I witnessed the near death of Vaughn twice… his mother's abuse… and I can now picture the awful scars on Vaughn from when he was stabbed and almost killed by his own mother. I wanted to hold him tight and run away all at once. I pulled away and panicked, then ran out the door. I just couldn't stand to see him again. He just made the memories even more vivid, as if they just happened yesterday.

I ran back up to the house, confused and scared. I slammed the door shut, sank to the floor and began to shake.

"This isn't happening to me… it can't!"

Mark jumped up from the couch. I barley noticed Julia was curled up next to him before he leaped up and ran towards me.

"Chelsea what the fuck?! What's wrong?!"

I stood up and tried to brush myself off. I looked at him coldly and pushed him away from me. "Why do you care all of a sudden?! I'm fucking invisible to you now, so just go back to laughing and cuddling with Julia!"

"Where the fuck is this coming from?! I'm not doing anything wrong…"

I scoffed, and just rolled my eyes as they began to ting with tears. "You are so full of it. You are cheating and we both know it! Is it because her hairs prettier than mine? Or how about that her breasts are bigger?! Or the fact that she's the center of fucking attention of all the guys all the time?!"

I could tell Julia was offended by this… the truth was I was jealous of her. She's my friend… but she stole him from me. Everything was fine till se rolled along. Mark grew silent and just stared at the floor.

"No… I liked you at one point. Maybe even loved you. But I just don't anymore. I'm sorry. I think I should go."

My heart raced. I just couldn't take another minute. I couldn't lose him. Not again. "Babe, please don't go…. I love you so much. Please?"

Mark just shook his head … and started packing. Julia tried to pat my shoulder. "I'm so sorry Chelsea we were going to tell you tonight."

I shook her off and began sobbing. I yelled at him about all the shit I found out today. He just told me he was sorry, and he still walked out the door with her. I was alone. I felt so pathetic and desperate. I must have called him a million times. Wondered if we were ever going to get back together. I closed my eyes for a second. And the day at the lake by the willow tree with Vaughn came to me. I missed him.

I didn't even put my shoes on. I just walked. I walked till I came to the mountain to see a broken down church and a small spring. I splashed my swollen red face with the refreshing water, instantly feeling a million times better.

"They say the Harvest Goddess resides in that pond."

I turned to see Vaughn, hands in pocket, calmly smoking a cigarette. I smiled at him.

"Do you believe in the Harvest goddess?"

Vaughn sat down next to me… flicking his cigarette into the pond. "I used to."

We kind of sat there in a comfortable silence. It felt right for some reason. After a few minutes, the cigarette butt floated towards me and I carefully picked it up out of the water. "I do. But sometimes I wonder why she does what she does."

Vaughn smiled at this. "I think we all do sometimes."

I rested my head on his shoulder, which made him jump, but smile. "Vaughn… it's been such a crazy few weeks. And today… just horrific. But now, at this moment I'm glad I got my memory back. I remember everything… even the bad things."

I felt Vaughn wrap his arms around me. And we looked at each other for a minute. And slowly his lips pressed against mine. My eyes grew wide… I almost pushed him away. It's wrong… I'm still in love with Mark …. But why does this feel so right? Am I still in love with Vaughn? Then everything went black. And I could hear Vaughn shouting my name, shaking me... Telling me to wake up …. his voice grew farther and farther away. And I was surrounded by darkness.

….broken

Sorry again for the long wait! Hopefully I'll have the next chapter up soon! –forevergone123 btw, thank you nbres for the ideas! ^_^