Broken

| 26 | The Prey

Today is the first day back at school after the two weeks I was away. I'm overly excited to see Lindsey, Haley, and the boys. I chose not to call them because I wanted to make it a surprise.

I walk through the doors of this school feeling the most confident I have ever felt. I'm wearing something you wouldn't have caught me dead in before it all went down.

My hair is curled today. It falls all the way down my back and it has a healthy bounce to it. My t-shirt it short sleeved and I'm wearing jean shorts with it all. I feel like a completely different person. I've never felt so alive.

I make my way through the halls, and I feel the eyes of everyone around me. Normally I would care, but today, I could care less.

The first people to really see me are Haley, Lindsey, Parker and Aaron. I wave at them, and they all stand there stunned for a moment before they run towards me like a pack of wild dogs. All of it seems to move in slow motion with their smiles and arms held out wide. A feeling of overwhelming joy consumes me as I let them take me in.

Every single one of them embrace me, and I feel it. That overwhelming love that I should've used to my advantage all of of those years. They could've helped me through it, but I was too stupid to see it.

"Grace you're back!!" exclaims Lindsey, and I give her the biggest hug. I should've told my best friend. I should've told her of all people.

"I didn't know when I was going to see you again!" she exclaims, and I just smile at her. Then, all of them look at me for real this time.

"Damn, what did that place do to you. You're hot, Grace." says Aaron, and I burst into laughter.

"They have me my life back."

"Then I love that place completely for giving me my best friend back." says Lindsey and we all get a group hug again.

"Wait," I say feeling like something is missing, someone in particular, "where's Tyler?"

They all give each other a look that makes the panicking start. No, where is he? He's the one person I missed the most over those two weeks.

"Grace," says Haley in her bad news voice, "Tyler turned back into his old self when you were gone. He thought.. he thought you weren't coming back."

I feel like my entire world just shattered. Now I'm thinking of every little moment I shared with him. His sweet side. His adorable smirks. His incredibly beautiful laugh. That laughter could bring a smile to anyone's face. He can't let all of that slip away.

"Where is he?"

They all look at each other once again. My heart sinks in my chest as I fear for the answer to come. I'm afraid I already have a pretty good idea if he's back to his old self.

"Grace, Tyler has been off and on with school lately." says Parker, and I feel like I could be sick at any moment. No, Tyler.

Before we can catch up anymore, the warning bell rings, and we all have to head to our classes.

I make my way to my first hour and the only two people in class are Noah and Quinn. Oh how I missed those two so very much. If you couldn't catch the sarcasm in that sentence, then you're a little bit slow.

I will ignore them today. I am so much stronger than them. I am stronger than they will ever be.

I make my way to my seat and sit down. The two of them immediately follow me like they're the predators, and I'm the prey.

"Wow, we thought you finally killed yourself. You're so pathetic, so we thought that was the reason no one left flowers at your locker." says Quinn while she laughs like the little witch she is. I am so done putting up with their crap.