School. One word was all that was needed to sum up her day. The reasons why everything wasn’t going to go her way.

Rebecca sighed. She didn’t want to go today. At all. Thanks to her blow-up last week she was going to be laughing stock of the school. She’d given everyone even more incentive to go after her. She could barely remember what she’d said but she wasn’t sure if she wanted to know.

And, to make matters worse, it was Monday. The worst day of the week.

Rebecca forced herself into the bathroom, feeling like she was on autopilot. She just wasn’t there. She didn’t want to be there. Showering meant she was a step closer to school. She wanted to the opposite.

She closed her eyes to avoid the mirror. Her emotions were all over the place. If she saw her scars she’d start sobbing. She’d be a mess. Rebecca was already a mess.

And she couldn’t figure out why.

It wasn’t because of mood swings—they’d finished a week ago. Besides, her mood swings weren’t bad. They were barely even noticeable.

Nothing else came to mind. She was at a complete loss for why.

Today was going to be bad, she knew it. Could feel it. She couldn’t put her fingers on why and how but she just knew. Her instincts were screaming it at her. They’d never been wrong.

*             *             *

“Morning sleepyhead. Don’t you look happy?”

Rebecca didn’t trying to smile at her dad. She didn’t want today to happen. She wanted to hide under the covers of her bed and never leave.

Her mother came around the kitchen, pot in hand. “What’s wrong? You look pale.”

Rebecca shrugged, breathing in the aroma of the kitchen. It was heavenly. Bacon was a thousand times better when her dad cooked it. She couldn’t wait to eat it. “I’m okay.”

Her mother frowned, placing a hand on her forehead. “You’re not burning up. Do you feel hot?”

“I feel like normal.” Just sick of the day already—which was basically her normal.

“Oh. If you say you’re fine, I believe you. But if you start to feel woozy or like you have a temperature, tell me. I’ll call work and tell them I’ll be late so I can take care of you.”

Rebecca didn’t tell her mother that there was no way she was doing that. There was nothing wrong with her besides her usual problems. Which, in retrospect weren’t important at all. Her parents didn’t need to worry herself with them.

                Her mother went back to the toaster, putting three slices of bread in.

“What do you want to eat?” her dad asked as he started to flip the bacon in the pan.

Rebecca couldn’t help herself. She grabbed a piece of bacon from the air — surprised she’d even caught it without dropping it or burning herself.

Her dad glared at her. “Hey. No stealing the food.”

“But it’s good, dad. I swear you could make a plastic bag taste like something from a restaurant.”

“I am, aren’t I?” He paused, staring at bacon like it was the secret to buried treasure. “Hey, you just gave me an idea—”

“That’s never good is it?” Rebecca said, elbowing her dad in the side.

He laughed, throwing an arm around her shoulder and pulling her into him. Rebecca tried to back away, knowing she’d get something on his suit — that looked as new as the day it bought. “Dad. Your suit. You have work soon.”

He shrugged, smiling at her. “I can change. It’s not the end of the world. Anyway, as I was saying, you gave me an idea.” He looked over at her mother. “Honey, where’s the nearest plastic bag?”

Her mother looked over sceptically. “Why?”

It clicked then and Rebecca couldn’t stifle her gasp, eyes staring at her dad, accusingly. “You wouldn’t.”

He stared back. “I would.”

Her mother stared at them, visible confused. “Why do I get the feeling I’ve missed something?”

“Because you have,” Rebecca told her.

“Why do you need a plastic bag—?”

The phone started to ring and her mother ran to it. Rebecca wondered what the rush was.

Her mother left the room and Rebecca went back to periodically stealing bacon.

“Stop that,” her dad ordered.

Rebecca rolled her eyes. “You’re still going to let me eat.”

All humour left her dad. “I’ll never make you go without.”

Rebecca felt the tell-tale sign of tears in her eyes and she blinked them away. “Stop. You’re making me cry.”

He pulled her closer, placing at kiss on her forehead. “Can’t have that can we?”

Rebecca shook her head. “It’s your fault. Don’t blame me.”

Her dad grabbed a piece of bacon out of the pan, holding it out to her. “Here. Eat. I can’t have you crying.”

Rebecca ate the piece offered to her, almost moaning. The more bacon she had the better it tasted.

While she was chewing the bacon, her mother ran in, handing the phone straight to her. She stared at it in c onfusion, wondering what she was supposed do to with it. No one called her — except the mystery person who’d been texting her but she’d put that out of her mind. “Why do I have it?”

Her mother looked at her, raising an eyebrow. “Talk. What else?”

“To who?”

“Jack.”

Rebecca frowned. “Why does he want to talk to me?”

“To check on you,” her mother said.

What? Rebecca stared at the phone, almost handing it back to her mother. He was starting to scare her. This was the fourth time in three weeks he’d ‘checked’ on her.  “Why?” 

Her mother shook her head. “I don’t know. Talk to him.”

With a sigh Rebecca walked into the lounge room. Her parents trusted Jack but she wasn’t so sure about him. He didn’t creep her out, per se, but he was too involved in her business.

“Hello?” she said, as she sat down on the lounge.

“Hi. Rebecca. How are you?”

Like you care. It was on the tip of her tongue to say it but she held off. “Fine.”

“Oh.”

Rebecca rolled her eyes. Exciting conversation, this was. “Why’d you call? Because I’m about to hang up.”

She heard him sigh on the background. “To check up on you.”

“Well, I’m fine so you’ve done your job.”

“Are you sure?” he asked.

“Yes. I’m sure.” She looked outside. “It’s raining outside so if I’m not happy, you must forgive me.” It was more than raining. It was pelting against the window.

He hummed. “It’s not raining here. The suns out.”

Was she supposed to care? “That’s nice. Fascinating, really.”

“How heavy is it?”

This had to be one of the weirdest conversations Rebecca had ever been a part of. They were talking about the weather. “I can hear it.”

She heard him swear. “Not good. This is not good at all,” he muttered. “Strong as her mother.”

“Excuse me?” Rebecca asked. What did her mother have to do with anything?

He sounded guilty. “Nothing. Don’t worry about it.”

“Okay . . .” Rebecca dropped it, wondering if the conversation could get weirder. Somehow, she knew the answer was yes. Which was why she had to end the conversation. “Look, it’s been great talking but I have to get ready for school.”

“Okay. Bye.”

She hung up and walked back into the kitchen, handing the phone back to her mother.

“How was it?”

“Weird,” was all she said. It was true.

Her dad smiled at her, passing her a plate of food. “Here, eat. We have to leave in ten minutes.”

“Thanks, dad.” Rebecca ate. Bacon was the perfect remedy for her day.

*             *             *

“Out of my way.”

Rebecca ignored the person who shoved her, walking as if she hadn’t just been slammed into a locker. Pain erupted in her side but she refused to let on that she felt any pain.

Walking outside, she found her spot. Noticing the smokers standing near where she sat, she almost balked. She was used to the smell, but she avoided the people at all costs. They were all the same type — self declared bad boys who thought rebelling made them “bad.” Surprisingly though, they were the only ones who’d never bothered her. She figured it was because it would ruin their image somehow.

Bracing herself, she walked over. She could feel the eyes of the popular table on her but she ignored them. Later on, she’d have to face Mikael but now she wasn’t ready for it. She had to prepare herself for it.

“Hey. You okay?” a voice called.

Rebecca looked over at the person who spoke to her. It was guy wearing too much leather and the scent of cigarette on him was so strong it was like he was wearing it. “Um . . . hi.”

He walked over to her and Rebecca was thankful she was so used to the smell. Otherwise she’d have vomited. “What’s up?”

“Nothing,” Rebecca said, hesitantly, staring at him warily.

He raised an eyebrow. “Sure about that?”

“Yes.”

He offered his cigarette to her but Rebecca turned her head away when he tried to put it to her lips. “Uh, I’m good. It’s yours.”

He shrugged. “I was only being nice.”

Feeling guilty, Rebecca said, “I know. I don’t smoke though.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Don’t knock it ‘til you try it. I’m Adam by the way.”

“Nice to meet you. And I’ll have to decline on the offer. I don’t plan on starting. It kills you, you know?” The minute she said the words, she wished she could take them back. At least she hadn’t told him the real reason. He didn’t need to know she’d been abused by someone who’d smoked.

He laughed and Rebecca stared at him in shock. “You’re funny, you know that?”

Today was getting too weird for Rebecca’s liking. This guy had never even looked at her before and he was laughing at something she said? Nothing she’d said had been finny but he was laughing as if it had been. It wasn’t adding up. “Thank you . . . I guess.”

“Take a compliment when you get one, yeah? Come on, I’ll introduced you to some people.”

Before Rebecca could object, he was pulling her along in a grip that she couldn’t escape. She tried to. “Really, it’s fine. I’ll just eat on my own.”

He shook his head. “You’re not eating on your own. What’s your name?”

Confused and annoyed, Rebecca tried to pull away. “Please. I just want to eat.”

He stopped and stared down at her. As he talked to cigarette on his breath fanned over her and she fought the bile that rose up in her throat. “I won’t hurt you.”

“I won’t bother you. Go and be with your friends. I have to meet mine.” It was a lie but he didn’t have to know that.

“If you think anyone of us will hurt you, you’re wrong—”

“Let her go.”

Rebecca turned and stared at Mikael in shock. He was glaring at Adam, pointedly staring at the hand that gripped her arm.

Adam dropped her arm as if it burned, looking as sorry as he sounded. “Sorry, man. I didn’t realise.”

Mikael glanced to where the rest of the smokers’ stood, staring at them with interest. Adam took the hint and walked off, looking like a chastised puppy.

When he was gone, Mikael turned to her. “Are you okay? He didn’t hurt you did he?”

Rebecca shook her head, sighing. So much for preparing herself. “Look, about the other day, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean what I said.” Well, technically, she had meant someone of it, but she still felt bad about it.

“It’s okay. I’m over that.”

Rebecca didn’t buy that for a second. “I am sorry. You didn’t deserve any of it. I have no excuses for what I said to you.” It was hurting her pride to say it, but it wasn’t the first time she’d had to suck it up and deal with it. It certainly wouldn’t be the last.

He shrugged. “I’ve dealt with worse. Trust me.”

Rebecca wanted to glare at him. He wasn’t going to make this easy, was he? “I’m sorry—”

“You’ve said that.”

Rebecca glared at him and snapped, “That’s because I am. How many times do I have to say it for you to get it?”

“I do get it. You’re the one making a big deal out of it. You said things you shouldn’t have. So what? No one got hurt. I’ve been through war.”

Rebecca wanted to laugh at the comparison — he was comparing her outburst to war. They were completely different. “You’re not getting it!”

“Getting what?”

“That I’m sorry,” she snapped.

“I am getting it. You’re not.”

“What—” Then Rebecca realised he was right. She was making a big deal out if when he didn’t even seem to care that it had happened. “You’re supposed to be angry. Yell at me. Do something.” She’d dealt with anger her whole life — she hadn’t dealt with this.

He stared at her, leaning against a tree, his arms crossing over his chest. It only made her more confused. He was huge and she was tiny. He was the type to get angry. “I won’t yell at you. You got pissed off and took it out on someone. That person just happened to be me. I’m not innocent. I’ve punched guys in the face for pointless reasons. We all do it. You won’t be the last person to yell at me.”

Rebecca frustration boiled over. “Why are you level headed about this? Can’t you just get mad? I deserve it.”

He shook his head. “I won’t get mad. I don’t care.”

“You’re exasperating. And annoying.”

He laughed and Rebecca glared. This wasn’t funny. She was trying to apologise and he was laughing at her. “Rebecca, I’m fine with it. I could care less.”

“That’s the point. You’re supposed to care!”

He sighed. “Well, I don’t. I forgive you. Does that make it easier to hear? You’re forgiven.”

Rebecca un-balled her fists. “Oh.”

Mikael held out his hand and Rebecca just stared at it. “Truce?”

“Huh?”

“Truce. It means we’re even,” he said, looking at her like she was an idiot.

“But you’re you . . . and I’m me.”

He raised an eyebrow. “And? What does that matter?”

At a loss, she held out her hand and grabbed his. “Truce.”

He smiled at her and walked away.

Rebecca stood still, mind still not caught up yet. What had just happened?

She knew one thing: today had not happened like she’d thought it would.

____________________________

Is it just me whose annoyed by the new format of wattpad? I try to fix up my stories and it just doesn't fix it. 

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