Broken - Book cover

Broken

Evelyn Miller

School

LILY

I wake up early the next morning, still in Mason’s tight grip. Somehow, I manage to break free without waking him up and quickly find my clothes.

Before I leave, I look over at him one last time, not knowing when I’m going to see him again. I place a gentle kiss on his cheek before walking out of his room, his home—possibly his life.

When I get home, I have a quick shower and change my clothes and do a quick tidy-up before Mom and Dad arrive home.

I wait all day for them to arrive, but they never do. At 10 p.m., I decide to give up and just go to bed when I hear the front door open and Mom calling out my name.

“Mom!” I squeal, running downstairs and throwing myself into her arms. “I didn’t think you were going to make it,” I say, squeezing her tightly.

“I couldn’t miss my baby’s last first day, could I?” She laughs, hugging me back.

“I missed you,” I say, wanting to cry and tell her everything that’s happened this summer.

“I missed you too, sweetheart. But I need a shower, and you need to get some sleep,” she orders, pushing me off her.

“Oh. Well, good night. I love you.” I sigh, biting my lip, finding it hard to stop the tears. “No Dad?” I ask, noticing he’s not here.

“No. He won’t be back for a while.” She sighs. “I was going to tell you this tomorrow, but I may as well rip the Band-Aid off. I’m only here for two nights,” she states, and my shoulders slump.

“Okay, Mom. Good night,” I mutter, not asking any more questions because I’ll probably just get more upset.

I go to bed and cry as quietly as I can under the covers until I fall asleep.

I wake up to the smell of bacon, and I smile because Mom’s back, but then I remember she’s leaving tomorrow.

I get dressed and check my phone—nothing from Mason. I sigh and run my hand through my hair before making my way downstairs.

“Morning, sweetheart.” Mom smiles kindly.

“Morning.” I fake-smile back.

“I can’t believe my little baby is a senior!” she exclaims, dishing me up a plate of bacon and eggs. “This time next year you’ll be in college.” She sighs, kissing the top of my head.

“It’s crazy, right?” I say, stuffing my face.

“How’s everything with the house?” she asks, opening the cupboards until she finds a mug.

“Everything’s fine.” I frown, wondering if she’s going to ask how I’ve been.

“Good. You’ll email me if something breaks, won’t you?” she asks, starting the coffee machine.

“Yes, Mom.” I sigh. “I’d better go,” I mumble, grabbing my lunch out of the fridge and my car keys.

“Have a great day, sweetheart,” Mom smiles, kissing the top of my head. “I’ll see you after school.” She kisses me again before letting go of me.

The whole drive to school, my stomach is filled with anxiety. I just hope the rumors aren’t too bad.

“Lily!” Ava squeals as I’m walking down the hallway toward my homeroom.

“Hey!” I smile at her before her body is thrown against mine.

“I feel like I haven’t seen you in a month,” she whines, squeezing me tightly.

“I know, right?” I agree.

“I hope we have some classes together,” she sighs as we start walking up the stairs. “Other than homeroom,” she adds.

“Me too,” I agree with her again.

In our usual homeroom, Ava goes to head to our usual seats in the back, but I stop around the middle and go sit by the window.

“Why are we sitting here?” she asks, slipping into the seat in front of me.

“I don’t want to be by Oliver, and I’m not a cheerleader,” I shrug like it’s no big deal.

“What!” she exclaims loudly, gaining the attention of the few students already here. “You’re quitting cheer? But you were going to be the captain!”

“I hate it. I only joined for Mom,” I tell her honestly.

“So? You’re one of the best cheerleaders in the school!” she continues, thumping her fist onto my desk.

“I’m quitting,” I state, hoping she’ll drop the conversation.

“Look, just because you and Olly broke up doesn’t mean you should let yourself go,” Ava says softly but loudly.

I hear the other students begin to whisper about what she’s just said, making me inwardly groan. I’m going to be the main focus of gossip on the first day.

“I’m only dropping cheer. I’m not dropping track and field or volleyball,” I roll my eyes.

“But you shouldn’t have to drop cheer because of him,” she counters.

“I’m not,” I state, pulling out my headphones, ending the conversation.

I want to text Mason so badly to see how his first day is going. But I know I can’t.

I pull my headphones out when I see Mr. Garcia walk in, clutching a pile of papers.

“Good morning!” He smiles widely, dropping them onto his desk. “I can’t believe you little babies are seniors,” he jokes, looking around.

“I’ll give you your new schedules, then you can do all your gossiping,” he states, sitting down in his seat.

One by one, he calls us up. Once Ava has got her schedule, she turns around to me.

“Please tell me you have English first,” she says, acting like our conversation never happened.

“I do.” I nod, and it’s conveniently with Mr. Garcia, in this room.

“Oh, thank god.” She sighs, grabbing my paper and looking it over. “What? We only have one class together.” She takes a photo of both our schedules.

“I’m sending them to Harry,” she says when I give her a questioning look. “You’re in AP Bio?” She gasps, looking back at me.

“I am.” I nod, wondering how she doesn’t know that since I’ve been in it since freshman year.

“Are you secretly a nerd?” She laughs, looking down at her phone. “How is this fair? You and Harry have half your classes together.” She huffs, shoving her phone into my hands.

Actually, we’re in every class together except second. He has cooking while I have history.

Once the bell rings, all the students leave apart from me, Ava, and another three people I haven’t spoken to but have seen around.

“Babes!” Harry’s voice fills the room before I see him. “Why are we sitting here?” he asks, sliding into the seat next to me.

“Lily’s giving up cheer,” Ava announces.

“You are?” he asks, looking at me with a small frown.

“Apparently, she hates it and only did it for her mom,” she answers for me.

“Fair enough then.” Harry nods, holding out his fist. “Wait! Are you giving up track and field and volleyball?” he asks, dropping his hand down to his desk.

“No.” I shake my head.

“Then I don’t see the problem here?” he asks, raising his eyebrows.

“Me either,” I agree, and Ava just rolls her eyes.

My morning classes go by fairly quickly, thankfully.

But in every single class and between classes, at least five different people ask me if I’m really quitting cheer and if me and Olly actually broke up.

By lunchtime I feel like I’m going to snap if another person asks me the same fucking questions.

Harry and I walk to the cafeteria together, and as expected he goes straight for the table full of the usual footballers and cheerleaders.

I go to sit at a two-person table, hoping like fuck Ava sits by me. I pull out my lunch and phone to text her but see I have a text from her already saying she’s on her way.

“I still can’t believe Leah took his side.” Ava scowls, looking over to the table in the middle as she sits down across from me.

“There’s no side to take, Ava. You can go sit with them if you want.” I sigh, looking over and seeing Leah laughing at something Olly just said.

“You know I’m here for you. If you ever need a shoulder to cry on,” Ava offers, squeezing my hand.

“Thanks. But I’m actually feeling fine.” I fake-smile.

“What happened, Lil?” she asks, giving me her perfected puppy-dog eyes.

“It just wasn’t going to work.” I shake my head, wanting to tell her about Mason.

“Will you tell me one day?” She sighs, picking at her food.

“One day,” I agree,

knowing I probably never will.

My afternoon classes are pretty much just like my mornings until I get to last period.

Gym.

Coach Lindsey sees me and corners me the moment I step out of the locker rooms. “You’re quitting?” she practically yells.

“I just don’t want to cheer anymore,” I tell her.

“That’s ridiculous, Lily. You’re meant to be the captain.” She pinches the bridge of her nose.

“Make Anastasia captain.” I shrug. She’s probably the best on the team and deserves it the most.

“You’re not quitting because of that Kingsley boy, are you?” she asks with a scowl.

“Of course not.” I snort and roll my eyes.

“This is a huge mistake, Lily,” she warns me.

“Lindsey, leave her alone,” Coach Burns, my gym teacher and the football coach, snaps. “Go to class,” he orders me, and I quickly scramble off.

“You all right, babe?” Harry asks, dropping his arm over my shoulder.

“Lindsey was just telling me I’m making a huge mistake.” I roll my eyes.

“Fuck her.” He shrugs.

“Olly’s pissed, man.” Jock—yes, that’s his real name—whistles lowly.

“Who cares?” I blurt out.

“What’s up?” Harry asks, ignoring me.

“Apparently, Mason has gotten in mad shape this summer,” Jock replies, looking at me like he’s surprised to see me. “Hey, squirt. How long you been there for?” He smiles.

“Don’t call me that,” I snap, wanting them to keep talking about Mason.

“Who said that? I can’t see him getting into shape. He doesn’t even take games seriously.” Harry shakes his head.

“He doesn’t?” I ask, surprised.

“No. He’s always joking around—even his team get annoyed at him,” Harry answers. “Apparently, Maci saw him at the lake yesterday,” Jock says as Coach Burns comes storming in.

“Go run laps!” he barks, making everyone groan except me and Harry.

“Wanna race?” He smirks as we walk outside.

“Loser buys ice cream?” I suggest before frowning. “On Wednesday though. Mom’s home for the night,” I say, realizing how much freedom I actually have when my parents aren’t around.

“It’s on.” He smirks, waggling his eyebrows.

“Three, two, one, go!” I say and take off.

I run two laps, with Harry overtaking me several times before I overtake him.

“Damn, babe, you’ve gotten fast.” He pants as he finishes right after me.

“You’ve gotten slow,” I sass, sticking my tongue out at him.

“Did you get your nose pierced?” He gasps, grabbing my cheeks, squishing my face between his hands. “It suits you,” he says, moving my face from side to side as he inspects it.

“Thanks.” I smile, wondering how he’s only just seen it.

“Francis! Leave her alone!” Coach Burns yells, making him let go of me.

After gym I drive straight home, knowing I can shower there, rather than in the shitty school showers.

“Mom! I’m home!” I call out, dropping my keys onto the side table and dumping my bag.

“Mom!” I yell out again, going to the kitchen. When she’s not there I look outside, but there’s no sign of her.

I run up the stairs calling her out to her, even checking her room, but it looks the exact same, almost like she wasn’t even here.

If it wasn’t for the faint smell of her perfume lingering in the air, I would’ve thought I’d dreamed her showing up.

I go back downstairs and call her.

“Lily,” she states.

“Hey, Mom, where are you?” I ask, opening the fridge and looking inside.

“I sent you an email, sweetheart. I’ve had to go meet Dad,” she says, not even sounding sorry.

“Oh. It’s okay,” I reply, clearing my throat. “When are you back?” I ask.

“I’m not sure. I’ll let you know when I know,” she chirps before hanging up without even a goodbye.

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