Prologue
Leaving is easy. Escaping is whole other story. Just because you leave something doesn’t necessarily mean that that you have escaped what issue you’re desperately trying to escape. That’s the dilemma that doesn’t seem to let me have any peace. I’m constantly haunted by all the things that I have tried to escape. I know I sound very cryptic, I don’t think I’m even making any sense. I’m just overwhelmed. I have something’s I have to change; I can’t continue to be the same sweet, gullible and clueless Madison. All it ever has done has opened me up for hurt. I was literally a walking target for anyone... everyone.
Just thinking about it all is enough to reduce me to tears. Growing up you hear that you first love and heartbreak will be the best and worst times of your life. I always thought bitter people were being dramatic, I should have listened. If I knew the shit storm I was going to land in I wouldn’t have ever even considered dating Liam Matthews. He ruined me, I feel tainted, and the empty shell of the girl I once was. But I promise I will never open myself up to anyone again. I’m locking all the doors around my heart and closing the blinds. This is it, I only have one more week left in this damned town and I intend on holding my head up high.
I smile as I look at the barren walls of my room. I should feel sad, I mean I have lived here my whole life with my family, but I don’t even feel slightly nostalgic. These walls don’t hold anymore happy memories. They haven’t for years. Crawling in to my bed I prep myself mentally for next few days of school as a sophomore at Fairview High.
Beep. Beep. Beep. BEEP.
‘Stop’ I grumble pulling the sheets over my head, I attempt to ignore the constant beep of my alarm.
Sighing I give up and roll over to turn the alarm off. Sitting up I lazily in search of clothes to wear for another day in hell. Deciding on a pair of light blue stone washed skinny jeans, and my favourite ghost buster sweater, I trudge to the bathroom for a quick shower.
Finally washing my face and getting dressed. I heard my maniac father yelling about his breakfast. Quickly I walk quietly in my room brush my soft brown hair and opt to climb out of the window than face him today. Throwing my bag over my shoulder, I grab my phone and earphone’s before locking my bedroom door. Jumping the small way from my room to the garages flat roof. I look around for the ladder I place on the far side of the garage. Looking down I’m faced with none other than my dad.
‘Sneaking off are we’ he smirks.
‘No, I was just...um jumping down, because I um, I dropped my earphones yesterday, and you know I need them because well, the bus journey can be loud, so that’s what I was doing’ I stutter out.
‘Oh, really... ’ he taunt smiling nastily. ‘Well I’ll just get the ladder for you then’
Setting the ladder against the outside wall, I climb down shakily, on the defence. Half way down he push the ladder off the wall making fall onto my side.
‘Ow’ I moan feeling the bruise forming all the way up the side of my left side’
Looking up at the smiling figure, I watch as his face switch to concern as Ms.Riley from next door comes out.
‘Madison, what have I told you about doing your home work on the garage roof, eh?’ he asks worried.
Smiling at him warmly I mumble a quick ‘Sorry’ and stand up slowly. Ms.Riley walks over worried, ‘Should we take her to the doctor’ she asks looking me over.
‘I’m fine’ I say quickly standing up as straight as I can.
‘Well let me drive you to school then’ she insists.
Looking at my dad I didn’t miss the dirty look he shot at me over her shoulder. Denying her offer I tell her I’m meeting a friend at the bus stop. Disappointed she smiles as walks back over to her house, before checking me over again. Then I feel myself being pulled in to a tight hug, against my dad’s chest he smiles whispering. ‘This isn’t over’ before waving me off to school. While Ms.Riley watches the encounter smiling, clueless.
Limping my way to the bus stop I already know today will suck. Hoping onto the bus I take the nearest seat and plug my earphones in and listen to big city dreams by never shout never on the short way to school.
Arriving at school, I send a silent prayer to whoever is listening that I get through today as quick and smoothly as possible. Walking across the parking lot and I keep my head low an attempt for none of the Neanderthals to notice me because lets be real that’s never good. Almost at the door I let a victory smile make a quick appearance onto my face before it literally knocked off when a basketball hits me in the back of my head. Realising that the idiots have noticed me I quicken my pace hoping that they might leave me alone just this on morning.
‘Hey, Maddie’ I hear from across the parking lot. Take that as a chance to escape I jog the rest of the way into school and sigh in relief. That was close I think walking to my locker. Still keeping my head low I make my way to my locker like a bat outta hell.
‘Maddie’ I hear again, ignoring the voice calling me. Breaking into a slow joy I take a quick turn in an attempt to ditch the voice. Stopping to peak around the corner I smile noticing I dodged the idiot calling my name a few moments ago. Turning around I bump into a someone chest looking down a mumble a quick sorry, side stepping the dude I just bumped into. Stepping into my way again I look up and I met by the smiling face of none other than the king of all imbeciles Liam Matthews. Cutting him a dirty look, I turn on my heel and walk away.
‘Maddie, I can’t imagine that you forgotten my chiselled chest already’ he laughs from behind me.
Ignoring him I tried to quicken my pace when an arm shots out into my path stopping me. Looking up again annoyed I look at Eli Martins smiling face.
‘Move’ I demand, side stepping him.
‘We just wanna talk Mads’ he grins.
‘No’ I say turning back around again. Realising that I’m trapped between Alpha and Beta of all idiots I look around for a way I can go. Looking to my left I notice the ladies bathroom. ‘Okay’ I say, watching the smiles slip of their faces. I fake right and run into the ladies bathroom and locking myself into the biggest stall.
‘Maddie, Maddie, Maddie, come out will you we just want to talk’ I hear them laugh.
Ignoring them I wait for the bell, to rescue me. Sooner or later they have to stop standing outside the bathroom, the teachers will come in soon I tell myself taking in a calming breath.
After waiting 20 minutes after the home room bell, I stand on the toilet to peep over the stall and I’m clear. Walking cautiously to the door I listen for their voices. Deciding I’m clear I open the door slowly and look out into the empty hallway. Still limping slightly from this morning accident I make my way to my locker, looking over my shoulder occasionally. Opening my locker I’m greeted with photos of my Ex and sophomore cheer captain kissing and groping each other. Disgusted I slam it shut and decide to keep my bag with me. Who knows what they will do to my stuff, they somehow have my locker combination.
Walking in late to my class I mumble a soft apology to my home room teacher Mr. Baker, half way blind and too fed up care. He ignores me, and goes on tell the class of school new. I space out, not remotely interested.
From the corner of my eye I notice Mr.Baker sit down, frowning I wonder why he in sitting down, I’m not against it but Mr.Baker is a big on walking around the classroom he thinks it encourages us to pay attention more, as if. Looking up I notice Liam stand infront of class holding up a letter. Worried I look up and listen as he begins.
‘Sup everyone, we all know I’m not big on public speaking, I’m more athletic’ he says lifting his arm up and flexing. ‘However, I came across this gem and I just had to share it with you. Clearing his throat slowly, he looked me straight in the eye before beginning again ‘ so this is a love letter I received from someone we all know, someone in this class, looking into my eyes again he read, mocking me, laughing, putting on a high voice. I couldn’t even make out the words he was reading. Standing up with blurry vision I lets the tears pooling in my eyes free as I ran out.
That was the last straw. I’m tired of being humiliated. I can’t take it anymore. There is only one way out. Searching my bag I found my phone and dialled the only number I have left to call.
‘Mom, can you come and pick me up early please’ I whispered.
‘But, honey we scheduled Sunday, I’m at work now..wait are you crying’ she started.
‘Mom, I haven’t asked you for much in my life but I’m asking you now to please pick me up, we don’t even have to stop to pick up my stuff. Just please come and get me, and I won’t ask you for anything ever again. Right now I need you, Mom.’ I cried.
‘I’m on my way’ she said worried.
Sitting on the bench opposite my soon to be old school, I waited for my Mom to pick me up. I looked back into the school that has reduced me to feeling like nothing. And I vowed to remake myself, remembering the promise I made the evening before. I’m not going to be the same Maddie Grace. That girl is over.
Noticing my Mom’s car turn into the street I waved wiping away the last tear. Slipping into the passenger seat, I hugged her hard thankful she picked me up.
‘Maddie, what wrong baby’ she asked holding me tight.
Letting go of her grip. ‘Call me Madison from now on’ I said firmly.
Authors Note:
So I haven’t actually written much before, but I’m taking the plunge and I’m going to try. So please VOTE AND COMMENT. Let me know what you like and guess what you think will happen next. This is all my own work so please don’t be too harsh on me. Thanks !