Their Broken Pieces by Jessica Gomez
Chapter Six
Jasmine
School is starting in the morning and my nerves are soaring. Staying still is a challenge throughout the night. They’re the same classmates that I’ve known since the Before, and some of them are looking forward to seeing me back at school. I know everyone will give me pity stares, but my skin has thickened since the accident. I have the strength to ignore all the murmurs.
To keep my mind off the first day of school, I sit down at the computer and start scrolling through my social media. I scan through the throngs of people congratulating me for returning for my senior year. I have never even spoken to half of these people, most of them being Jace’s friends.
I scroll through until I come across one that mentions Alex’s name. I read the status update and my breath catches. The person states Alex has been in jail and that the judge sentenced him to his senior year of high school, which meant that Alex would return to school this year, too.
My breathing becomes erratic and panic courses through me until I’m almost hyperventilating. Seeing Alex every day will be a constant reminder of his sister, my brother, and everything that happened on that horrible day. Avoiding Alex is top priority. Seeing him is the last thing I want or need right now.
Oakboro High mailed out brochures to all the seniors with information about our senior trip, letting us know we’ll attend one week of classes before leaving.
Most of that week would likely be a piece of cake; I couldn’t imagine any teacher assigning us homework before the trip. The packet also contained hotel information and phone numbers for our parents if they needed to contact us. I have a feeling that my packet containing that information would meet the trash can. My mom would never call to check on me. She won’t worry about me. Hell, I wouldn’t be surprised if she even notices that I’m gone.
I’m worried about what will happen when I come face-to-face with Alex because it will happen at some point. It’s been two years and I know we’re not the same people that we used to be. I don’t know about avoiding him at school, but I think it will be easy enough during the trip. He may even feel the same as I do about seeing each other.
I let my thoughts drift, thinking about Alex and his family, remembering what happened a couple of days ago.
I took the money that Grandma had given me and went shopping. While I was browsing, I saw Mrs. Navarro getting off a public bus. Of course, I said nothing to her because I’m a coward, and hid behind a rack of clothes until she entered a discount store.
I don’t know why I did it, but I followed her into the discount store, just out of some lame curiosity. She was sifting through men’s clothes, probably shopping for Alex. She could have a boyfriend, but I didn’t think so. She was grabbing clothes that were Alex’s taste, but what did I know of his taste these days?
I watched as she paused at every price tag, and costing too much, she would set the items back down. A terrible pang went through my stomach; I hated watching her struggle just to buy clothes, and now that I knew they were for Alex, probably school clothes, I felt even worse.
I went back to the store I was previously in and bought a few outfits. After my purchases, I still had most of the money my grandma had given me and wanted to help.
I’ve known for a long time where they lived; I had even driven by a few times. It seemed fine in the daylight, but now the neighborhood was dark and scary. I drove up to their mailbox and made sure no one was watching before placing the rest of my money inside. I didn’t know how to face either of them, but I just hoped this would help.
Sleep eluded me until late into the morning, making my impending first day of school sneak up all too quickly.
While getting ready for school, I’m pleased to see that my not-so-diet of eating everything is paying off; I can finally see the shape of my body forming. Some girls believe that the rail-thin look is in, but I like the curves—women were intended to have them. I pair faded bootcut jeans and a blue shirt that matches my eyes with minimal makeup.
On my drive to school, nervousness creeps through my body like bugs crawling under my skin. I don’t play any music; I’m not even sure if I’m breathing. The drive is over in the blink of an eye as I pull into a space and turn the engine off.
I collect my bag, pulling it onto my lap, and place my forehead against the steering wheel. I bang my head several times and repeat, ‘Why me? Why me?’ I coordinate the words with the rhythm of the thumping.
After collecting myself, I move to exit the car when someone blocks my door. As he pulls the door open and smiles, I see that it’s Andrew, the boy I was talking about to Marisol on the day of the accident… the one I wanted to ask me to the dance. That event seems so petty and insignificant now.
“Hey Jasmine, it’s nice to have you back.” He moves aside to let me step out of the car, and I blush.
The fact that I want no personal attachments to anyone doesn’t make me immune to Andrew’s handsome features. His soft brown hair and bright blue eyes are hard to ignore.
“Hi, Andrew. How are you?”
“Better now that you’re back.” His hundred-watt smile stays plastered to his face.
“Thanks.” I feel uncomfortable. What else am I supposed to say?
“Can I walk you to class?”
“I have to get my schedule first.” I walk towards the office.
“All right, I’ll come with you, and then I’ll walk you to class.”
I’m uneasy with the attention that Andrew is paying. Why, after almost two years, would Andrew be so attentive? My mind is warning me to be cautious, but despite my doubts, I let him walk me to the office.
The same bell from years ago announces our arrival as we walk through the door. It reminds me of my sophomore year, but this time, my brother is a ghostly figure in my mind, and not walking alongside me.
As I reach the secretary, I realize she’s new because I don’t remember her from my sophomore year.
She stares at me expectantly but says nothing.
“Um, I’m returning this year after a year of homeschooling.”
“Oh yes, you’re Jasmine Heartly. I have your schedule right here.”
The look of empathy on her face as she hands me my schedule is unnerving. It makes me want to run, but I solidify myself while I peruse my schedule. The typical high school classes stare back at me, and suddenly I’m not so sure I can handle this.
While I’m deep in thought, this is when the secretary decides she can’t keep her mouth shut any longer.
“I’m so sorry about the accident, and your brother. Gosh, and your father? It must be horrible,” she says sympathetically.
The only other noises that penetrate my eardrums, besides her stupid voice, is a door creaking open to my left and my panicked, uncontrolled breathing.
Her words freeze me in place as anxiety takes over my body. My eyes sting while I envision Jace and Marisol. With my heart pounding in my chest, I feel a full-on panic attack taking hold.
A rough, deep voice wraps around me from behind, his accent leaking through his words, and saves me from a nervous breakdown in front of everyone.
“Yes, it is horrible. So thank you, Mrs. Chubby Bunny, for bringing it up before she starts her first day back—that ought to help her get off to a splendid start.”
The hefty secretary blushes, mumbling some kind of apology, before removing herself from her chair. Alex’s “chubby bunny” remark hurt her.
I turn, but keep my eyes downcast, afraid to look at him after all this time. Afraid of what I may say, or what he might say in return. When my eyes finally take him in, my mouth hangs ajar… Alex resembles nothing of the boy I had once known; he’s grown up.
A tall, lean, and muscular body has replaced his skinny, shorter frame. His shirt hugs his biceps tightly with tattoos sneaking out the bottom of his sleeves; making him appear dangerous. His hair is casually messed, doing an incredible job of hiding his unreadable chocolate eyes.
He looks amazing.
Of course, there’s no way in hell I’ll tell him that, but I’m sure my expression has already given me away.
Walking away is the smartest move, but I’m frozen. Seeing him brings back not just the terrible memories, but the good as well. I don’t want to think about either because they’re both too painful. We both lost family and friends, but for me, distance is what will help me move on.
Andrew senses my unease and misinterprets, stepping in, and speaking before I can. “Thanks for the help, but we can take it from here,” he says harshly as he dismisses Alex.
The only problem is that Alex resembles the type of person who does the dismissing, not the other way around.
He looks at me once more before walking out of the office without another word. From his reputation, I’d have thought he would have kicked Andrew’s ass for even talking to him, let alone talk to him in that manner.
I release the breath I didn’t realize I was holding. Lost in my thoughts, I forget Andrew is even standing next to me until he speaks.
“You should stay away from Alex, Jasmine. He’s not the same person he used to be. He’s trouble, and he’s not someone you want to mix yourself up with.”
It’s none of Andrew’s business what I do or who I talk to, but I remain silent. I feel that the less I say, the better, letting him walk me to English class instead before thanking him and saying goodbye.
“All right, I’ll see you around,” he calls to me. I turn, and like a zombie, walk into class.
The secretary’s words replay repetitively in my mind, “Sorry about your brother and your father.” She has no idea that the word sorry could never touch the hell I’ve experienced. All her sympathetic words did was dredge up an emotional storm, one I’m trying hard to beat back in front of thirty other kids.