Broken

• Chapter 7 •

I can't believe it.

Everything's the same, all of it. My curtain-less windows, white desk, everything. It even smells the same. Other than the new bed sheets that Maya bought me, everything is the same.

I spend the entire morning pulling everything out of cardboard boxes and putting them into their new place. I sigh in satisfaction as I plug my phone in to charge and prepare to finally take a shower, get out of this ridiculous outfit, and take a nap.

_________________

I wake up to a buzzing sound, ugh. I shouldn't take naps. What decade is this? It takes a solid five minutes to get back to my senses and realize that Eric is blowing up my phone with messages and calls.

I'm picking you up in 30 minutes. Get ready.

I knit my eyebrows in confusion and send him a question mark, to which he responds with just do it.

I groan and do as I'm told. I brush my hair out and braid two small strands of hair at the top of my head, letting the rest of my hair loose. This is my usual go-to look. I pull on a pair of jeans, sneakers, and a regular black tee. I sigh as I sit in front of the mirror, should I wear makeup or something? I settle for mascara and lip balm.

I check my phone, he should be here in a bit. I'm starving, should I eat? As if that's a question. I make my way to our kitchen, warm feelings and memories swarm in my head at the familiarity of it all. I run my hand across the counters I could barely reach as a child and smile.

Dad ordered pizza. What an angel. I stuff my face in a slice when my phone dings in my pocket and makes me jump up in fright.

I'm outside :)

I smirk and shove my phone back into my pocket, closing the light before making my way to the front door. I freeze when I look down to the basement. My eyes make contact with the other kitchen and my heart sinks into my stomach.

I sprint out of the house and into his car without a second thought.

"Wow."

"What? Do I have pizza sauce on my face?" I ask as I slide into the passenger seat and buckle my seatbelt, wiping the corners of my mouth. Why am I like this?

He snorts. "Nah... You just clean up well," he tells me with a small smile.

My heart flutters inside my chest, I clear my throat. "So, where are we going?" I inquire.

He smirks as he turns his attention to the road and pulls out of the driveway. "A party," he's wearing dark jeans and an olive coloured top. His attractiveness is going to need some getting used to. He's just Eric, calm down. I inhale deeply and process his words.

"Wait, what?"

He shrugs. "It's this back to school party this girl Kate throws every year," he explains, "The whole senior class will be there. I thought it would be a good way for you to get to know a few people before school starts. You know... So you don't feel as new," he says cautiously.

I study him, that's kind of thoughtful. I smile to myself as he bites his thumb nervously. My heart falls, I've never really been around people my age other than Tony and Dorito. What if I'm incapable of making friends?

Eric shifts his gaze between me and the road a few times, speaking when I remain quiet. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing, I just... What if they don't like me?"

He snorts, "Impossible, you'll be fine. Besides, you've got me. Everyone's gonna love you just cause you're associated with a glorious human being such as myself."

I roll my eyes at him, "Whatever. Just don't let me awkwardly stand by myself and drown myself in liquor, got it?" I snap.