Splinters: Part One

Part One | 30

"Can you just... leave me alone for a bit?" I turned my body and covered my face with the blankets.

For a long moment, she didn't move, but finally, she got up from my bed and left my room.

...

I practically hibernated in my room all day until dinner. After that, I was a little more talkative and social. I went to bed early, though, eager for sleep, but hesitant for the next day. My stomach twisted at the thought of facing the students at Constance, but I really wanted to know who decided to tell Zech. I made the decision I would confront both Andrew and Collie the next day, because even though I knew Collie wouldn't tell Zech, I was ashamed to believe that I was still doubtful.

When morning had sprung up, I was slow moving as I got out of bed and got ready for school. When I entered the bathroom, Ursa was brushing her hair.

"You know what the best thing you can do is?"

Frowning, I glanced at her. "What?"

"Act like you don't care."

I watched her as she looked at me for two seconds before leaving me alone. Next, I ate breakfast and caught Melissa just before she was leaving with the girls. She kissed me on the head.

"Bye, sweetie. I hope you have a good day. If you don't, you can call me. I won't hesitate in going over there-"

"Thanks, Melissa." I fakingly smiled, but only because I knew that I wouldn't call her. Zech would ruin me to pieces if I rat him out to the staff.

She seemed to buy my smile and looked back on my younger sisters. "C'mon, girls."

"Bye, Brady!"

"Bye, Brayden!"

"See you later, Brayden."

"Bye, guys."

The entire morning had been a drag afterwards. When I was finished with getting ready, Ursanne was already waiting at the door.

"Under any other circumstance of the day, I'd yell at you."

I knew she was trying to make the morning a lighter one, but nothing could really help me at this point. When we got onto the bus, I sat alone, and Ursa didn't try sit next to me. She sat on another seat, not our usual one. It was left of where I sat, two seats behind. Once she entered conversation with some of her friends, I looked out the window.

About half-way to Constance, someone tapped my shoulder. I turned, only to see a brown haired boy with a blond next to him. They were part of the football team in my year. The brown haired one was named Jackson. The other was... Chase? Chance?

"Hey, Brayden. I heard you won 'Orphan of the Year Award.'"

My stomach fell as I realized what was coming next.

"I bet your parents would be so proud," he laughed.

I drew in a long breath. Act like I don't care. "I've heard that one. Get a new book."

He frowned and knit his eyebrows when he saw that probably wasn't the response he was hoping for. When I turned back around, I caught Ursanne glaring at them. I vaguely shook my head at her, silently telling her to not step in. Ursanne did, of course.

"Hey, Jackson!"

He looked over at her and rose his eyebrows.

She smirked. "When you pass away and people ask what the cause of death was, I'll be sure to say it was just your stupidity."

He ticked his jaw. "Coming from the girl who sent her pics to Bailey White."

Ursanne tensed before making the brief decision to flip Jackson the bird. He chuckled at her and then resumed his conversation with his friend. I stared at my sister, who immediately turned around. A girl who sat behind her, touched her shoulder, but Ursa shrugged it off. I wasn't sure what Jackson had meant, but I was sure I wouldn't get to know.