Shattered

Chapter 35

                                                *One week later*

Throughout the past week, things have gotten much better.

My arm was starting to feel a little better, I was able to go back to school, and we were all very happy.

Because dad told the school I still had to take it easy, I was able to get out of gym class for the next month.

That was the best thing that came with getting shot.

But along with that, also came a little bit more anxiety and fear.

Every time I heard a loud noise, I would flinch.

I would immediately think about what happened and have a moment of panic.

It wasn't bad, but I did tell Nathen about it.

He said it was a form of PTSD.

He told me I might always feel that way when I hear a noise that sounds like a gunshot, such as fireworks, but with the correct amount of therapy and a small dose of anxiety medicine, it should be manageable.

I decided to take his word for it, hoping one day I could be normal.

But I was currently in the car with Hunter, having just gotten done with the check-up he insisted I needed.

"See, I told you it wouldn't be bad." Hunter smiled.

"I still don't see the point in having the incurrence company pay for a check-up when he's just going to tell me something I already know." I stated, still not knowing why he wanted me to have a check-up so badly.

"And what would that be?" Hunter asked with amusement.

"That I'm perfect." I said jokingly.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It was now a few days later, and I was sitting in the kitchen with dad and all my brothers, trying to persuade them into not having me go to a school party.

"It's just one school party," Ace said, "How bad can it really be?"

"A party means people and people means socializing," I said, "Everyone knows how bad I am in those situations."

"Come on, it'll be fun for you," Hunter said, "You might make some friends."

"You need to get out more." Dad agreed.

"You aren't supposed to encourage this stuff," I said with a small laugh, "I'm supposed to persuade you into letting me go, not the other way around."

"Adeline, you really need to talk to people your age," Dad said, "You can't stay cooped up in this house all the time. What are you going to do when you get a job, and you have to talk to people?"

"I'll work at a plant nursery or something." I said with a smile.

"Look, it's only going to be a few hours," Ace said, "Just go for a little while, see how you feel, and if you totally hate it, we'll pick you up."

I sighed quietly, knowing I they were going to find a way to make me go.

So, I agreed and went upstairs to change.

After putting on ripped black jeans and a cute top, I made sure I had my phone, and went downstairs.

I got in the car with Noah, Charlie, and Daxton who were going to drop me off at the school then head to their friends' house, sitting in the back with Noah.

Once we got there, I thanked them, made sure I had my phone one more time, and went inside.

It was already past 7 p.m., and it was dark outside which made me even more uneasy.

I had a weird feeling that something was going to happen.

My gut instinct has never been wrong.

Once I got to the gym, I saw a tone of kids partying and dancing.

I stayed in the corner, hoping nobody would notice me and trying to stay out of the way.

I felt like someone was watching me.

It was weird.

I looked around, making sure nobody was watching, before walking out of the door and bolting down the hall to the girl's bathroom.

Something wasn't right.

Once I got to the bathroom, I locked the door, closed all the stall doors, went in one and locked it.

I have no idea why I did this; I just had a really bad feeling.

So much so, that I ended up standing on the toilet, hoping nobody would see my feet or anything.

I heard someone messing with the bathroom door, making me go as quiet as I could.

I pulled out my phone, texting Hunter and Ace quickly, asking them to come pick me up.

Then the door opened.

This is not going to end well.