CRACKED, BROKEN, SHATTERED

BY NAOKO HIRUMI

Nao: -sighs- This has been a bad week for me, everyone. First, I went to see my stepdad and I totally broke down in tears. Then the teacher sponsor and president of our anime club got mad at me for trying to help everybody, and then...the crowning glory, my boyfriend broke up with me, blaming me for everything. Which, I suppose is true. I mean, I am a horrible person and I don’t really deserve to live...but whatever.

So sitting here all alone, with nobody to talk to, I came up with this. I don’t know. Maybe it’s just me lately. But, whatever.

I own Angel and Dalton. Well, technically I don’t own Dalton, since he’s actually the guy I want to date now, but he lives quite a ways away from me...but I own this Dalton. And James owns his own stupid ass. Anyway, here goes. Oh yeah...this is basically what happened to me Thursday and Friday. Except the Dalton thing...And sorry it’s so crappy.

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Angel ran. People moved out of her way as to not get hit by the sobbing brunette. Nothing mattered anymore to her. Not since yesterday afternoon...

(Yesterday)

Sitting curled up on the couch, hugging her stuffed dog, Angel wiped away her tears, smearing her running mascara. Her phone kept vibrating against her foot where she left it earlier. Picking it up, she flipped it open, noticing the text message icon. She selected it and waited for it to open.

‘I’m fed up. We’re over. I’m sorry. Either shape up or ship out.’ It was from James.

Fresh tears rolled down her face, adding to the ones already caused by other people. Opening up a reply page, she typed in, ‘Can we talk tomorrow?’

Twenty minutes later, she got his response. ‘Think hard about this. I don’t like being treated like shit.’

‘I’m so so sorry...I’m a horrible person. I didn’t mean to snap at you. I was upset at Nykii and Manbeck and I...I dunno...I lost it. I’m sorry. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me? If not...I understand. I’m a terrible person and I don’t deserve to live. I’m so sorry...I love you...I’m sorry.’

Hours later, she still had no reply from James. Angel curled up, sobbing her heart out into the stuffed animal in her arms. And there she fell asleep for the night.

(Earlier that morning)

Angel turned around as her phone buzzed against the counter top. A text. And it was from James.

‘Meet me in the ampetheatre’

Her heart plunged, her appetite vanishing. Gently shutting her phone, she put it in her purse and sat down at the kitchen table, shaking terribly. He was serious. They were over now. She knew it.

Half an hour later, Angel was standing at the top of the steps of the ampetheatre, looking down at James, who was adjusting the strap on his backpack. Carefully picking her way down, avoiding the puddles and mud, she stepped onto the stage. But her foot caught and she tripped, her binder and workbook and journal skittering across the cement, the contents of her purse spilling out.

James didn’t move to help her. Tears spilled from her eyes again as she scrambled to pick everything up, limping slightly from the pain in her ankle. Finally she gathered everything and came to stand in front of him, trembling. Looking up at him, Angel saw the coldest expression on his face. His chocolate eyes weren’t shining as they always had. He wasn’t smiling like he always did at the sight of her. Nothing.

A sob tore from her throat and she broke, hugging her belonging to her chest. “I’m sorry! I’m a terrible person! I didn’t mean it...I really didn’t...I’m so sorry.” She coughed, looking down. “I don’t deserve to live...”

“I gave you a chance.” Was the only thing he said to her.

Feeling ready to vomit, Angel dropped to her knees, not caring if her skirt got dirty or her knees got scratched up more. She squeezed her eyes shut, her heart ripping apart. “I should die...I should just die and make everyone happy.”

James merely stared down at her.

Hardly able to move, Angel forced herself up, hands shaking as she took the bracelets off, including the one she cherished more than anything, and gave them to him. Without another word, she took off running, bringing her near the student store.

“Angel! Angel stop, what’s wrong?”

Strong arms grabbed her and took her things gently before pulling her close. She allowed whoever it was and cried into their chest.

Sobs breaking her words, she managed to choke out,” James...he broke up with me...blamed it all on m-me. S-said I tre-treated him l-like shit...I don’t deserve t-to live!” Fresh sobs wracked her small frame.

“Shh...it’s alright.” The boy stroked her hair softly. “It’s his loss. And you didn’t do anything wrong. It was him who treated you like shit.”

Angel looked up at her company, shocked to see it was the blonde beauty Dalton, whom she had admired from afar long before her and James got together. His hair blew into his face in the breeze, but he let it go and smiled softly at her.

“He held you back all the time. He made you feel uncomfortable, I could see it. You’re afraid of falling, and he made you lean back so far, that with one wrong step you would fall. He told you what you could and couldn’t do. He didn’t encourage you with your writing. “ Dalton tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “You have one of the most beautiful minds I have ever seen. A little weird at time, and random, but still very beautiful. He just stuck in the mud with a pole up his ass. James can’t admire the wonderful things in life. He only sees the here and now. You...I’ve heard your thoughts in class. Everything you say has some sort of deeper meaning. You think ahead, so far ahead, that nobody else can comprehend it. You’re a wonderful person, inside and out.”

The brunette looked down, cheeks flushed. “Y-you think so?”

Dalton laughed softly. “I know so.” He lifted her chin gently. “And I think you’re beautiful. Inside...and out.”

Silence fell over them. Angel was in shock at what Dalton had just admitted. Dalton himself stroked her hair, smiling softly at her.

“Angel, I...I love you. I was so jealous of James all the months you two were together, just because he could be close to you without needing a reason. And now, I see that he wasn’t right for you, not one bit. He only wanted you because you were the beauty to his beast. Because he knew you would do whatever he asked of you, even give yourself to him if he so asked for it, even if you weren’t ready. But I would never ask a thing of you. I will treat you like the princess you are.” Dalton lifted her chin again. “I love you Angel. I have for a while. But I stayed back. And now...will you give me a chance?”

Her green eyes shone with unshed tears, happy ones now, and she hugged him. “Of course. Because I love you too, Dalton.”

The two teens, new souls repaired by the other, gazed at each other, smiling, Then Dalton leaned down and placed a gentle kiss on her lips.

And finally, Angel was happy, truly happy, for the first time in her life.

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Nao: -gags- That sucked. But I feel a bit better. Odd. Oh well. No need to comment if you felt it sucked too.