Broken Hill Hurt (Broken Hill High 3)

Really, all I got out of him is that I’ll be spending the next week hardly seeing him unless he wants to make a habit of sneaking through my window every night, which I am more than ok with.

I get to my locker and I feel the eyes of everyone on me. The bruising on my face has completely come out and I’d bet every cent I own that’s what they’re staring at. It’s hideous. I looked like a stranger when I saw my reflection this morning. I mean, I guess that’s the price you pay when you insert yourself into a situation you don’t belong.

Whispered conversations are heard all around me and I do my best to tune them out as I know they’re only talking about the fight. It’s all anyone has talked about since it happened and it’s driving me insane. I mean, why can’t they talk about Jessica Monroe offering to blow the science teacher for an A in Biology?

I let out a sigh as I lean against the locker. Maybe it’s a good thing I’ll be locked away from the rest of the world for the next week.

I look up and down the hall and don’t see Brooke anywhere. She must be running late as usual. There are only a few minutes left before the bell, but I was hoping to at least see some of my friends before I get banished to the office.

I grab my phone from my bag and slide it into my pocket before shutting the door on my locker. As I turn back around to face up the hall, I see all the cheerleaders making their way down it.

Half of them give me sideways glances while the other half stare straight ahead as though looking my way is beneath them. One cheerleader though, turns and gives me a smug grin that makes me want to claw it off her face.

Phoenix Reilly.

God, I hate her. Though, I guess I’m lucky she’s not actually my half-sister. That would suck like you wouldn’t believe.

She scoffs as her grin widens like she’s won some kind of challenge, but I guess in her eyes she has. She’s got Caden Ryder living in her home, but what she doesn’t realize is that the boys couldn’t be happier that they got rid of him. He’s her problem now. I don’t doubt she’s going to try and rub it in. It won’t work though, and that’s going to be fun to watch.

Brooke and Elle walk down the hallway with Brylee and Courtney a few steps behind. A smile graces my lips and Brooke instantly smiles straight back, prompting Elle to look my way as well. I’m about to walk to meet them when to bell rings, telling me to get my ass to the office.

Damn. I break away from my locker as the girls pick up their pace so they’re not late for their first class of the morning. I get halfway up the hall before turning around and catching Brooke’s eye, I pull out my phone and hold it up, letting her know I’ve got it with me. She nods in understanding and turns her attention back to rifling through her locker while I focus on getting to the office without convincing myself to leave.

Three hours later, I sit at a desk in a lonely little room, tapping my pencil against my water bottle and listening to the rhythmic sound while wishing I was anywhere but here.

For the millionth time today, I pull out my phone and silently beg for something to be there. I mean, I’ve already gotten through the work I was assigned and scrolled through days’ worth of posts on my Facebook page. I’ve texted all the girls and both the boys and so far, nothing.

It’s killing me. I can’t do this for a whole week.

As I light up the phone, I take everything back as I see one lone text message waiting for me from Jesse. I can’t open it fast enough.

Jesse – You know in 2069, kids will have to write 69 on everything.

A burst of laughter comes tearing up my throat and I slap a hand over my mouth and silently shake as my eyes snap to the door, hoping no one is about to come in. When I decide the coast is clear, I work on my response.

Tora – Are you always an idiot or do you just show off for me?

He responds almost instantly.

Jesse – Do your parents realize they’re living proof that two wrongs don’t make a right?

Tora – Do you ever wonder what life would be like if you had gotten enough oxygen at birth?

I grin to myself. He can’t possibly beat that.

Jesse – Your birth certificate is an apology letter from the condom factory.

Shit.

Tora – I’d like to see things from your point of view but I can’t seem to get my head that far up my ass.