The Price to Pay

Chapter Fourteen

"Our lives don't really belong to us, you see they belong to the world, and in spite of our efforts to make sense of it, the world is a place beyond our understanding."

-Paul Auster

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Adeline

I slammed my fist on my beeping alarm clock wanting the loud noise to end, I didn't expect it to crumble into pieces in my hand but it did however stop.

Rumbling underneath my pillow I lay in bed for another fifteen minutes not wanting to get dressed. I mean I'm part demon, what demon goes to freaking high school. Oh yeah no one. Dreading the slow walk to the bathroom I turn on the shower welcoming the steam that hits my face.

A half hour later I'm clean and somewhat dressed, I leave my hair to air dry not bothering to brush out the tangled mess. Placing the right amount of mascara and eye liner on I leave the rest of my face alone.

Trudging down the steps, I don't hear Dad or Izzy so they must still be at the hospital, checking the phone for messages I find none. Shrugging, I guess I walk today. Locking the front door behind me I walk in the direction of the school, looking at my ugly watch, I know I'm going to be late so I take my time not really caring.

I walk on the empty sidewalk, it's quiet today no one's really up in this neighborhood especially at seven in the morning.

Turning the corner at the stop sign, I freeze, my head swims as I look down at the sidewalk. Tire marks still linger on the pale sidewalk and the onto the street. I try everything to stop the flashes of that day to plague my mind but nothing helps as I recall the blue truck, the pain, the sounds of my screams.

Calm down.

I can't.

I think I'm having a panic attack, my chest closes in and I have trouble breathing as my vision blurs with the images and sounds. I whirl around as if it were to happen again, only to make myself even more disoriented.

Help me!

I can't. Just breath.

I take her advice into consideration and sputter out a ragged breath. Its helps somewhat but my chest still feels constricted and heavy.

I debate whether or not I want to go to school, I didn't want another attack like this and I didn't want what occurred to happen again. Then there's also what happened with James. I sigh, not wanting to think about him anymore I push any thoughts about him aside.

*Beeb!Startled I turn to the loud car horn.

The owner of such a noise is coming from the black mustang and inside that mustang is in fact Sam. His face breaks into an easy smile when I see him, his eyes are hidden behind his ray bans.

"There is a much more subtle way to get ahold of someone's attention."

"Get in." I watch as leans over opening the door for me.

"I like walking." I argued.

"Oh I'm sure. Come on you don't wanna be late sleeping beauty."

Sleeping beauty that's a new one for sure, "That was the original plan, miss first period then I only have to suffer through six more hours of school."

He chuckles lightly, "Come on Adeline."

Running my hand through the tangled mess of my hair, that I now regret not brushing I jump into his car.