To Be a Broken Smile (sequel to Tumbling Down - DM Fanfic)

Starting Secrets (Ch.4)

*Mackenzie's POV*

I don't know, really if she let me win or not. But it feels good to win anyways. When she gives me her excuse, I feel better about it. But thinking about Kayla today kind of dulled my excitement.

~*~*~*~*~*~

That night, I find it difficult to sleep. I'm tired as can be, but can't get my mind to shut off.

Sometime, around 1:30 AM, I fall into a restless sleep.

"It's dark. Too dark. Except for a sliver of light in the corner. Someone stands in that light.

Kayla.

'Hey Mackenzie' she says. But it's cut up, staccato.

'What are you doing here?" I ask. Not staccato.

"You ruined my sophomore year. And took my summer. Now, I'll take your life." More staccato.

I see something in her hand reflect the bits of light. A knife.

She steps forward. I step back.

'Your whore-ish ways took him away from me. He loves me. Not you. And now, he doesn't have to love you.'

I never knew staccato was so creepy-sounding.

'Don't hurt me,' is all I can think to say.

She steps closer. The knife stuck out towards me.

'Don't hurt me!' I scream.

She's gonna kill me.

She's gonna kill me.

I scream."

I hear myself scream as I roll off my bed, still tangled in my blankets.

I get myself out of the blankets and get up, but I'm unbalanced and run into the wall.

I need to get out of here.

I slip on flip flops and run out of my room. Out of the house. Down the street.

I find myself at the park, and stop myself from running by tripping in the grass.

I cry for who knows how long. I don't even know what time I came out here. The lining of a dark navy sky blends into a lighting, blue-grey one, just along the horizon.

My feet pick me up and start walking me home. How they know to do that, who knows. My mind is in a fog.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I crawl back in bed, shoes and jacket and all.

I pull the covers over my head, even though it's uncomfortable.

My phone buzzes. I pick it up, squinting at the bright screen.

Tyler. "Did I see you walk home from the park?"

I don't reply. He'll think I'm asleep that way.

~*~*~*~*~*~

I thought I was awake, but I guess I fell asleep, because the next thing I hear is my name, a couple times.

My eyes pop open. I'm buried under blankets, my shoes still on.

Before I sit up, I look over at my alarm clock. 7:12AM. I got home around 6:45. So it hasn't been too long.

I hear my name again. The way it's said makes me realize it's Tyler.

Me(whining): What?

I feel him pull the covers off my face.

Tyler: What were you doing outside at 6:30 in the morning?
Me: I wasn't out. I was sleeping until you woke me up.
Tyler: Don't lie. I'm up for track already and you know that.

Oh shit.

Me: Well it wasn't me.

He pushes my blankets completely off me, making me cold.

Tyler: Then why are you wearing shoes?

Suddenly, I explode. My body launches me up to my knees.

Me(loudly): Fine! It was me! Happy?
Tyler: Shhhh...calm down. What happened?
Me: I went for a walk.
Tyler: Then why lie and why get mad?
Me: Cuz.

I lower to a sitting position, crossing my arms.

Tyler: Cuz why?

He sits next to me.

Me: Because!
Tyler: Because why?!
Me: Just get out!

I push him as hard as I can. When he doesn't really budge, I throw myself on my bed again, pushing my feet under the blankets, but him sitting on them makes that impossible.

I just quit trying, letting my hair stay covering my face.

Tyler: Mackenzie.
Me(angry): Get. Out.
Tyler: I'm not going anywhere.

I feel him take my wrists, trying to pull me up. I go lifeless so it's harder for him.

Me: Stop touching me.
Tyler: Am I hurting you?
Me: Mentally.
Tyler: Well that's not physically. Come on.

He picks me up and sits on my desk chair. My legs hang off, but don't touch the floor. I bury my face in his shirt, suddenly craving his comfort. He puts his lips by my ear, and when he talks it makes me shiver.

Tyler: What's going on with you?
Me(mumbling): Nothing.
Tyler: What?
Me: Nothing.

I sound kind of whiny now.

Tyler: I'm betting it wasn't nothing.
Me: Well you just lost a bet.
Tyler: Kenz, tell me.
Me: It's nothing.
Tyler: Then why won't you look at me?
Me: Cuz.
Tyler: Not this again. Look at me.

He doesn't really give me a chance to look up, because his hands adjust my head for me.

Me: Why do I have to tell you?
Tyler: Because you're not going I tell anyone else. And I'm sitting right here.

I look to my left, seeing my messy bed. Something about it makes me wanna cry.

I put my head back on his shoulder.

Me(quietly): Don't let Kayla get me.
Tyler: What?

I remain quiet as I talk. I don't care if he can't hear me. He adjusts me so he can hear me better, but I don't think that's gonna make a difference.

Me: Don't let Kayla get me.
Tyler: This again? Kayla can't hurt you. Never. You may never have to be within the same 5 mile radius for the rest of your life, even.
Me: Unless she goes back to Riverside.
Tyler: If you get it for even 50 yards, which you will get at the least, she'll have to transfer.
Me: She can still get to me. There's this thing called the internet.
Tyler: She won't try anything. Calm down and stop overreacting.

Even though he's not, I feel as though his tone shows off some annoyance. I reply to him way louder than intended.

Me: It's not my fault I'm overreacting!!!!!
Tyler: I know. It's hard. But you've gotta stop thinking about it.

And I've gotta stop telling him everything.

Me(quietly): Okay.

I nod, looking down. He kisses my forehead, which sends some relief through my veins.