Chapter 1- A new life awaits
How can people be so indifferent to the malice and falsity that surrounds them? What should happen so they could see the truth? A woman takes selfies on the terrace while her child complains about the bullying he suffers in school. The waiter is arguing with an old man because the tip wasn’t generous enough. The girl in the corner expresses her point of view on the issues in the relationship while her boyfriend focuses on the girl who has just dropped her wallet and leans to lift it up. His eyes glitter with enthusiasm when he manages to see underneath the girl’s skirt.
Disgusted, I turn my look towards the conversation that the woman who calls herself “mother” has with the nurse.
Yes, I’m in a hospital obviously and no, I did not have an accident, though that would have been better to happen than what actually happened. I refuse to remember so I start paying attention to the conversation although this is the last place I want to be in right now.
“ I don’t understand what you’re trying to say Mrs. Perkinson, “says my mother with an annoyed tone .
“Your daughter has suicidal attempts every time she goes home, so it’s obvious that you have a major role to play in this.” the nurse responds annoyed as well.
“Are you trying to blame me for failing to fulfill my parenting duties?”
“What I’m trying to say is that she needs time away from you” At this point my attention is completely directed towards the two women, waiting for my mother’s response but at the same time without having high hopes knowing that nothing will change.
“And what exactly do you want me to do since her life is here?”
“Fortunately, you don’t have to worry about that because we have already made a decision. She will live with her father for a while. ”
“What the??”
All eyes turn to me, and I immediately regret opening my mouth. They can’t see my face because I’m hiding beneath the hood but I still feel intimidated by the sudden attention. My mother starts to laugh in an ironic way that makes me frown. I know too well what she’s trying to do.
“I thought you were more competent than you look. Jade can’t adapt herself to new environments and doesn’t tolerate strangers around her. Any human contact to be honest. So that would be the worst decision that you could take. I do not expect her to go to the hospital again but rather to the morgue. ”
The hair rises on my body when I hear that cold-blooded tone in which she speaks about my problem. I feel like I can’t resist any more seconds next to her so I turn to leave when the assistant puts her hand on my shoulder. My heart starts to pound hard instantly, in my throat rather than my chest and I feel like I can’t breathe. She notices my reaction and withdraws her hand quickly. Another second and it would have been broken.
“Jade, in a few hours you’ll fly to France so you have a little bit of time to pack the necessary stuff.”
“She has nothing to pack, don’t you see that she wears the same black clothes all the time?” my mother snaps at her. The assistant decides to ignore her by saying:
“And you don’t have to worry about people, there’s a step brother who’s your age waiting for you * I’m sure he’s a bastard, I tell myself * and your dad and his wife are a good example in the society.”
When I hear this I can only roll my eyes.
“I have to go home first ” I say.
My mother is right, I have nothing to pack but I have to say goodbye to Ryan.
Ryan is my neighbor from a long time ago,a shy, cute and intelligent guy I figured out. I would have never interacted with him if he had not approached me once and told me that he will call the police because the fights in our house were too loud and often. I told him to mind his own business , but he told me that he couldn’t bear to hear me tortured anymore.
Flashback
• His anger makes me panic every time and this time he seems angrier than ever. I feel like I can’t take another episode like yesterday so I’m making an impulsive decision: I’m running out of the house and knocking into Ryan’s window while praying to be his bedroom. After a few moments of silence, Ryan opens the window and lets me in.I don’t have to look at him for more than a second to figure out he knows why I’m here. He sits at the desk trying to continue his homework although his hands are shaking .The fact that he cares about my situation makes me feel comfortable and I climb in his bed while making efforts not to think of anything. After a while I feel a body next to mine, and I realize that after falling asleep, Ryan joined me. The next second, he’s pulling me in his arms and the only reason why I’m not reacting is because I feel very vulnerable and alone. •
While remembering the beginning of our story I’m in a cab on my way home. Ryan’s house to be more precise. Once there I knock at the door with a feeling of guilt because I leave him so suddenly. Ryan opens the door dressed casually and with a confused look because he didn’t expect to see me so early in the morning.Once we get into his bedroom, I give him the news without delaying the inevitable moment. His reaction shocks me tho: tears are running down his face while he throws himself on the bed and hiding from my gaze. I don’t know how to comfort him so I sit next to him and start caressing his hair. Suddenly he gets up and kisses me, and I kiss him back while telling him that I’ll come back to him someday. We both know tho that it’s not true because I have to stay as far away as possible from the place where my darkest nightmares came true.
Once boarded, I start asking myself questions about what’s waiting for me.
Will I have to blackmail my alleged brother, just to make sure he won’t be standing in my way?
How much does my father know about my situation?
And how much time will pass until everything comes out and I will be terrorized?
After a few minutes of stress, I put my earphones on and close my eyes telling myself that things can’t be worse than what I’m leaving behind.
