Phoenix

Chapter 6

I woke up to the familiar sound of my alarm echoing through my bedroom. The light was just barely peeking through the red curtains hanging over the bay window to the right of my bed. I couldn't help but yawn, feeling the tiredness creeping back up on me. My energy still felt drained from yesterday, and an average night's sleep wasn't enough apparently. 

I swung my legs over my bed and my feet met the cold floor beneath me, shuddering at the low temperature touching my skin so soon after waking up. I really wished that the heat surrounded my entire room, it always feels like it only works from the waist up. Yawning once more, I made my way to the bathroom to take a shower and get ready for school.

Once I shut and locked the door behind me, I slipped off the extra-large t-shirt that I usually wore to bed for warmth. 

It was my dad's, so I guess sleeping in it makes me feel a little closer to him. I've been doing it since I was a little kid. It's the only thing of my father's that is still around, my mom burned everything else ironically. 

I dared to take a glance at the mirror and saw exactly what I expected to see. Blue and purple bruises almost completely covered my upper torso. A little bit of red was peeking out from the cast on my wrist and the bags under my eyes seemed darker than before I went to sleep. 

I looked awful, but what did I expect to look like? At least I couldn't feel any of it anymore. 

I sighed and very carefully removed the cast from my wrist, even though I couldn't feel the pain, I still wanted to keep the cast intact so I could put it back on properly. Stripping off the last pieces of clothing off of my body, I slipped into the shower and turned on the water, just barely dodging the spray of cold water.

~~

After showering, brushing my teeth, and getting dressed, I went to grab my backpack but realized it wasn't in the spot that I usually put it. That's when I remembered that I didn't put it there last night like I always do. I left it at school.

I must have been so worried about what Blythe and Nick were going to do, I forgot about it. Great, this is just what I needed, to lose my homework and laptop. 

My laptop! The school is going to kill me! Oh, I hope it's still in my last class, I need to head there as soon as I get to-

I stopped, remembering that I can't go find it as soon as I get to school. I have to meet Blythe or else the same thing that happened yesterday would happen today. 

A sudden knock at the door made me turn my attention from my thoughts to whoever is behind the door. Assuming it was my mom, I walked over and opened it, to see the exact person that I expected.

"I was just checking to see if you had woken up, yet," My mother said with a smile, but I could still see the worry present as she glanced down at my wrist that had the cast that she made on it. "Do you want to stay home today? I know you had a rough day yesterday and I want to make sure you're okay."

I smiled sweetly at my mom's concern, and honestly, I was slightly tempted to take her up on her offer. I didn't want to go to school and face Blythe, but I had to. I didn't want him to think I was running away. 

Besides, I kind of want to see Jackson. 

Yes, I don't know him very well, but I kind of want to get to know him better. He doesn't seem to have an interest in joining to popular people, so maybe, just maybe I have a shot at making a friend. 

"Thanks, Mom, but I'll go to school today. My wrist feels much better," I say with a small smile on my lips and she eyed me for a moment before nodding. 

"Alright, if you think you're ready to go back then I guess you can, it's your decision," Mom said, matching my smile now. "But I want you to call me if you have any more problems like yesterday, okay?" Her arm reached out towards me, offering me a black smart-phone with a red case over it.

I smiled, she remembered my favorite color. Well, she is my mom, after all, it only makes sense that she remembered. 

"Thank you," I said gratefully and accepted the small device. It felt odd to have the thing in my hand, I've never had one before. 

"It's already set up and my number is already in there, I'm also speed dial one," My mother said, and unlocked the phone for me and showed me where the call button is. "You can play around and get familiar with it on the bus, but right now you should get some breakfast before the bus gets here."

I nodded in agreement and thanked her once more before following her downstairs to the kitchen to get something to eat.

I decided to keep it simple and just make a bowl of cereal since I didn't have much time before I was sure that I was going to hear the horn of the impatient bus. Quickly I ate the bowl of cereal I made before putting it in the sink and rinsing it out so when my mom did dishes it would be easier to wash. 

Once I finished I made my way towards the door and grabbed my coat from the coat rack and carefully slipped it on, not trying to agitate my wrist. 

"Aren't you forgetting something?" My mom asked from behind me, I turned around and looked at her with confusion. 

I don't think I'm forgetting anything. I have my coat, my new phone that I'm definitely going to look through on the bus, and I have- Oh. She means the bag that I left at school. 

"Actually, I left my bag at school. I thought it would be easier to walk home without my bag, it's in my locker." I lied. I hated lying to my mom, but I can't tell her about the bullies, it would worry her too much. She's already worried about my secret being discovered and paying the bills on her own, I don't want to stress her out any further with my problems. 

"I suppose that makes sense, but did you have any homework last night?" She asked and I shook my head. Honestly, I didn't remember if I did. I'm sure I'll find out today and I'll just tell the teacher that I lost my bag, technically that's not a lie. 

"You are so lucky I can't remember having a day of no homework in high school. I suppose they're going easier on your generation," My mom said while shaking her head, but at the same time, the bus honked its horn. 

I jumped in surprise, not expecting it so soon.

"I'll see you later, Mom," I said and went to leave out the door, but she grabbed my good wrist, stopping me in my tracks. 

"Remember, be careful and don't tell anyone about yourself, okay?" I sighed at this reminder. 

Must she tell me this every day?

"Yes, Mom, I know," I replied, really wanting to leave. 

"Good, I'll see you after school," She said and let me go. I nodded and hurried out to the bus, walking up the metal steps and just barely glancing at the annoyed bus driver's face. I'm not sure why he looks so mad all the time, he hasn't even been here for longer than a minute.

Sighing, I sat down in my usual seat, feeling a little odd without my bag at my side. But it was a little nice to have the weight off of my shoulder.

The bus started moving and I pulled out the phone from my pocket, examining the slender frame of the captivating device. I've seen my mother's phone and other's phones before, but I've never really held one in my hand before. It was a strange, yet amazing feeling to have a device with so many uses in my hand. 

I've used a computer before, so I guess I shouldn't be so stunned by a phone, but this wasn't the school's or anyone else's, it was mine. I could look up whatever I wanted, play whatever games I wanted, and talk to whoever I wanted. 

Not that I really have anyone to talk to, but still, it was nice to have something that's all mine.

I smiled at the phone and started going through the app store, but none of them really caught my interest. I wonder why people enjoy it so much. If I keep playing with it will it get more interesting? I was so immersed in my phone, that I hadn't realized the unfamiliar presence beside me until it spoke. 

"Are you talking to your girlfriend? You've been smiling at your phone for over three minutes and you didn't even realize that I sat here," A deep voice said, sending a shiver down my spine. I know that voice.

I looked up from my phone and stared at the familiar blue orbs that belonged to none other than Jackson. When did he get here? And why is he on the bus? 

Wait... Girlfriend? 

"U-Um... N-No? I don't have a girlfriend," I mumbled quietly, and mentally kicked myself for stuttering. I need to get control of that. 

"Boyfriend?" Jackson asked and I nearly choked. How did he know I was into guys? Was it the comment Blythe made yesterday or did I give myself away?

And why would he think that someone like me has a boyfriend? Although... That idea doesn't sound too bad. Especially if that person was like Jackson... Pff, yeah right, that would never happen.

It would be nice if that was ever true, but I don't ever see that happening. 

"What? N-no, o-of course not," I replied quickly and turned away from him, facing the window, trying to hide the blush that was now burning brightly all over my face. I heard him chuckle and the blush spread to my ears. He must be laughing at how stupid I sound. 

How come I stutter whenever I talk to him? It's so annoying. 

"You don't have to be embarrassed, I'm not going to judge you. So, what's his name?" He asked. Does he really believe that I have a boyfriend? I said that I didn't. 

I shook my head, "There is no name, I-I told you I don't have a b-boyfriend." I manage to say, but continue to look out the window, not having the courage to talk to him while looking at his face. The subject was too embarrassing. 

"Hmm, I would think some other gay guy would snatch you right up with you being so cute and all," He said and I snapped my head towards him in shock. No, I must have heard him wrong. There's no way he just said that.

He thinks I'm cute? I must be dreaming or my mind is playing tricks on me. As soon as my eyes caught his, I could see the slight shock on his face at his own words. He quickly covered it up with a cough and looked forward. 

"I mean, I'm not gay so I wouldn't really know anything about that. But um, anyway, I meant to ask you this before I sat down, does anyone sit here?" Jackson asked, changing the subject quickly, looking slightly uncomfortable. 

I was kind of sad that he changed it, but at the same time, I was grateful. I didn't want things to get awkward. Even if he did start it. 

"No, I usually sit here by myself," I answer, glancing down at my lap. 

"Can this be my new official seat then? It would be too much work to find another seat," Jackson said waving his arm around the now full bus that had two people to every seat now. 

"Yeah, if you want to," I say quietly, trying to keep in my excitement that someone actually wants to sit beside me. It's weird, Jackson and I have almost the exact same schedule and we ride the same bus. I wonder if he lives close to my place. I should have been paying more attention.

The bus stopped and I looked up to see Vander High through the window. I turned off my phone before sticking in my pocket, remembering all the kids that got their phone taken away for it going off in class. I definitely didn't want my phone taken away on the first day of having it. That would be awful.

Jackson stood up as others did the same and headed off the bus. Whenever I made no attempt to get up, Jackson gave me a confused look. 

"Not coming?" He questioned and I shook my head. 

"No, I'll get knocked over if I tried," I answered truthfully, he just chuckled and shook his head and continued his way off the bus. 

I watched him walk with the rest of the students. A slight pang of sadness struck my chest whenever he was out of sight, but it quickly went away when I mentally slapped myself. I shouldn't be sad about that at all. He's not my friend or anything, so what does it matter?

Once everyone was off the bus, I hurried to my feet and got off the bus myself, ignoring whatever comment the bus driver made today. As soon as I stepped forward though, I ran into an unexpected wall. 

Well, I thought it was a wall. 

I looked up to see Jackson standing there, staring me down. 

"You really are clumsy, aren't you?" He asked with a look of amusement clear on his face. 

"M-maybe," I mutter and looked away to avoid eye contact with him, knowing that I'm blushing from embarrassment. 

"C'mon, let's go inside, it's cold," Jackson said and started leading inside, but I didn't follow. He must have noticed the lack of my presence and he looked over his shoulder at me. "Coming?"

"Actually, I have something to do, I'll catch up with you later," I tell him, knowing I can't skip out on seeing Blythe and Nick this morning. "Sorry." I apologized and hurried away from him, following the sidewalk to the side of the school. But not before seeing a glimpse of Jackson's face. He looked angry for some reason and it was kind of scary.

I didn't know if it was because he was mad at me for ditching him or if it was for a different reason. Either way, I felt a little bit of guilt for leaving. 

That feeling was quickly replaced by fear as soon as I turned the corner and saw Blythe standing there with a devious smirk playing on his lips. The memory of him breaking my wrist flooding back into my mind, causing me to slow down my pace as I hesitantly approached him. 

"It's nice to see you this morning," He said in a not so friendly tone that made my whole body shudder, but not in a good way. Maybe I should have skipped out on school today.