Forbidden

Chapter 14

14

“Mom, can you drop me to school today?” I asked, putting down my fork and swallowing as my mother bustled into the kitchen with acrylic paint streaking her hair.

“Why sweetie?” she asked but she really didn’t sound interested. “You’re getting a ride down with Tegan and your brother.”

“Please?” I tried.

“Why?” she asked, sighing.

“’Cause she and Tegan are in a fight,” Hayden said suddenly, traipsing into the kitchen and stealing one of my waffles. “Thanks Crutchy.”

I glowered at him and squirted more syrup onto my remaining waffles. But I squeezed the bottle too hard and it got a dent in the middle.

“Oh, whatever for?” Mom asked, pausing to look at me. “You girls are best friends!”

“That’s what I said yesterday to Tegan,” Hayden said with his mouth full. “She was pretty upset and wouldn’t tell me what you guys were fighting about.”

I slammed my fork down on the table. “Would you stop talking about it? It’s done anyway!”

Hayden raised an eyebrow at me and finished eating his waffle.

Mom gave me one of her looks and went out of the kitchen.

I scowled and pulled on my knit cap over my ears. It didn’t match the floral dress I was wearing today, but I couldn’t care less.

I heard an engine roar outside and heavy metal blasting through speakers. Tegan only did that when she was mad at her parents. The music cut out and the horn honked.

“Just sort out your stuff Misha,” Hayden frowned. “It’s not getting you anywhere fighting with everyone. I had to tell Randel to chill out yesterday, because he was upset too.”

I looked down at my waffles.

“You’re not doing him any good if you don’t tell him how you really feel. Mom and dad are going to make you marry him—”

“Hayden, shut up!” I snapped.

He raised his hands. “Sorry.”

I watched him push open the French doors and head outside to Tegan’s Jeep.

I tried to finish my breakfast.

I heard a sigh behind me.

My mom was shaking her head at me as she put on her tennis shoes and picked up my school bag. “Do you want a ride or not?”

“Yes,” I replied, pushing away my plate and reaching for my crutches.

My mom looked at the cast. “That’s coming off today hon,”

“Seriously?” I asked incredulously, looking down at the hard white plaster that sheeted my entire leg. I hadn’t seen it in weeks.

She nodded.

“That’s great,” I smiled.

Now I had one single beam of happiness to get me through my day.

#

I made my way to class, scowling at my big, heavy cast.

Soon it would be time for it to go and I’d be glad. I was tired of having a broken leg. I’ve never worn so many dresses to school in my life.

 Curse Mathew for doing this to me.

That stray thought about Mathew got me thinking about Liam.