Not My Hero - Michelle Heard Page 0,5
so you can clean up,” I offer.
I might not interact with people a lot, but Aspen has only been nice to me. Also, I’ve had so much experience with cleaning up that it’s second nature to me.
And then there’s the real reason – so I can get out of the cafeteria before someone decides to pick on me.
COLTON
As the day progresses, I hear more rumors about me spreading like wildfire.
The bottom line is half the school thinks I’m broody and full of shit, while the other half thinks I’m dangerous and that it’s my fault my brother is dead.
Little do they know I just want to be left alone, so I can finish this year. I’m not here to make friends, and I’m definitely not interested in being popular. I’m hoping they’ll find something new to talk about by the end of the week.
Walking into the last class for the day, I see Brie sitting in the corner, which means I share five classes with her.
I take the seat next to her and notice she’s working on a new sketch.
Once everyone is seated, the teacher begins to talk. He pretty much says the same thing as the rest of the teachers, then scribbles his name on the board. Mr. Donati.
“For your first assignment…” Mr. Donati grins as the class groans. “I want you each to tell me why you chose this class. A short paper, two thousand words. And I want it done by tomorrow when you walk through that door.” He locks eyes with a girl that was last to arrive. “On time.”
Mr. Donati starts with the lesson, and my eyes drift over to the sketch Brie is working on. The movement of her hand as she draws is hypnotizing, and I zone out.
I watch as the image takes shape, and soon, there’s a frown etched onto my face. Brie’s drawing a girl that’s screaming while gripping her hair. She’s really good because I can actually feel the emotions jumping off the page. Frustration and torment.
Is that how she feels?
When the bell rings, I’m ripped out of the reverie I was caught in. Brie again rushes out of the class, and after I’ve packed my own things, I get up and leave.
There’s no sign of Brie as I head out of the building. When I get to my truck, I throw my bag on the passenger seat before sliding in behind the wheel. I steer the vehicle carefully out of the parking area, but it takes a couple of minutes because everyone is in a hurry to get away from school.
Once I’m finally driving down the main road toward the neighborhood I live in, I spot Brie walking. For a moment, I contemplate stopping to offer her a ride but then decide it would be weird, seeing as we don’t know each other.
She probably doesn’t even know my name.
Getting home and pulling up the driveway, I notice the lawn needs some care. I’ll mow it once it’s cooler outside. Walking into the house, that’s similar to the one we had in California, silence greets me.
My father has been throwing money at my mother in the hopes he can buy her back.
God, I hope she doesn’t give in. There’s no way I’ll ever let that man back into my life.
I kick off my shoes at the front door, and taking the stairs to the second floor, I head to my mother’s room. Softly nudging the door open, I see Mom lying on the bed.
Brady’s death broke her. Right after his suicide, she went into overdrive, rushing to get me away from my father. Once Mom had us settled in the town where she grew up, and she knew I was safe, it’s like she just shut down.
She hardly leaves the house and spends most of her time in bed. I take care of the shopping, cooking, and… practically everything.
I move closer, and sitting down on the bed, I place my hand on her shoulder. “I’m home.”
She turns her face to me, her eyes dimmed of all light and an exhausted expression, making her look years older than she is. “Did you have a good first day?”
I lie down behind her and wrap my arm around her. “It was okay. The teachers seem nice. I got a ton of homework.”
“Want to order something for dinner?” she whispers as if it would take too much energy to speak a little louder.
“I’ll make us something,” I reply. I give her a hug and