>I watch in hollow and empty rage as Melissa and that asshole from the swimming team walk, hand-in-hand down the hallway. I snap inside. The last bastion I had has turned on me.
>Fine. You all win. I turn and walk out, the empty ringing of the world all I feel now. I find my way home, my feet simply carrying me there via routine. Mom tries to talk to me as I return home but it doesn't reach me. Probably just another scolding about my schoolwork or nagging about chores.
>I don't even plan it. I just dump my backpack out and pack it with a couple of necessities. A bottle of water, a handful of food I have on hand and the big ticket item, right from where dad keeps it. I know exactly where I'm going. A funny thought crosses my mind. If anyone actually knew me, cared about me they'd know where I was.
>I finish packing and march straight out through the front door. No one sees me go. Not that they'd even notice I've gone.
>I head right out to the woods nearby, the little place I hang out when I need to be alone. Need to think. The last place I want to be. No control over my life but at least I get to chose the final few moments.
>A wave of relief comes over me as I find my spot, undisturbed. A little grove, a clearing with a stump of a felled tree. Who knows who logged this but it makes a great seat. I plop right down ad close my eyes, taking in nature.
>My mind runs through the shitshow I call reality.
>Cynthia hates me after I ratted her out for the torrenting. Like hell I'm taking the fall for that. Didn't mean for her to get sent off like that, though. Her own fault.
>Sera won't speak to me either after I snapped and cursed her out after her little engine debacle almost lit me on fire.
>Mel... I don't even want to think about that. Guess she really meant what she said when she put her foot down about actually going out on dates. I kick myself one more time about that.
cont.