Broken

Chapter 39

I threw my charcoal down on to the desk, a sound of frustration escaping my lips. I furiously wiped the black smudges off of my fingers the best that I could before crumpling up the paper and throwing it into the already overflowing garbage can. I leaned back in my chair, looking at my rapidly shrinking sketch pad.

Why had Harry gone of to LA with Ryder? I knew he was a good guy but I also knew his past wasn't as great. Frightening scenarios flashed through my mind and they all ended with Harry lying in an alley somewhere, his green eyes fixed on the sky, dull and lifeless. I shuddered, a chill scampering down my spine and I willed the images out of my head. Why didn't he tell me why he was really going? Even though I wouldn't of liked the idea of his going across the entire country with a guy he barley knew, I would have liked for him to tell me. He was my best friend. We had only known each other for months but it felt like years with him. His smiling face replaced the lifeless one and I was grateful for that.

My eyes fixed on the corner of my desk where my phone and his letter day side by side. I picked up my phone and frowned in disappointment. He hasn't called or texted or anything. I sighed and put it down in frustration, picking up the letter instead and turning it over again and again in my fingers. My eyes ran over my name in his writing for the millionth time since Des had given it to me that morning. Why didn't he give it to me himself? What was weighing so much on his mind that he had to write down.

Well open it and find out you idiot, I thought to myself. I pushed air through my teeth before I slipped a finger under the flap that held it shut and separated it. I took out the paper and unfolded it, my eyes scanning the first line.

Dear Addie,

A knock sounded at my door and my head snapped up. I groaned inwardly and folded the paper up, shoving it into the top drawer of my desk.

"You can come in." I called, trying to keep the annoyance out of my voice.

The door swung open and my moms head peeked around the corner, a smile on her face.

"I brought these for you." she said, producing a stack of unfolded cardboard boxes. She crossed my room and leaned them up against my desk leg before sitting on the edge. "I thought they might help with the packing."

I nodded. "Thanks. I should really start that soon."

"Yeah you should." she agreed. "You leave for New York in just over two months."

The thought scared me and I felt the corners of my mouth tugging down. "I don't think I'm ready for that." I said honestly.

"I know sweetheart." She said. '"I don't think anyone can really be ready for something like that. But you're a smart girl, you'll do great."

"Yeah, do great at being the new kid again." I snorted. "I'll know no one there."

"Well it's a start to make new friends." She said. "What about Harry?"

I shrugged. "I have no clue where he is going actually." I said. "He hasn't told me anything."

"Well maybe he's still figuring it out."

Harry knew everything ahead of time. He was good at spur of the moment things but for long term stuff like this, he wouldn't dare mess with his future. He knew where he was going, he just hadn't told me, but instead of saying that I just nodded, agree with her. Maybe if I told myself that enough times it would be true.

"Thanks mom." I said, giving her a smile.

"No problem honey." she said, leaning forward and pressing her lips to my forehead just briefly before standing and exiting the room, shutting the door softly behind her.