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To Where It Ends
Ch.1: Bruised
18 year-old Jamie Morrolin walked into the darkly lit dingy room her 'family' called the living room. The stench of cigarettes and cheap beer clung to the air like a thick fog. She placed herself on her wheeling chair in front of her aging black computer. Disgust filled her body as she heard her father rummaging through the fridge looking for another beer. She wasn’t sure why he stuck them in there; the fridge had been broken for months. His slurring words of nonsense made her cringe and refocus on what she was doing.
She opened the Microsoft Word on her computer and began typing. The words to her story poured out of her so easily from all the pent up frustration and anger she had held up in her petite frame. She was 5’3, at 113 pounds with short black hair that was unevenly cut and went down to the tip of her shoulders. She wore light blue baggy jeans that showed her green underwear. Her long sleeved black shirt ended just under her belly button. Jamie’s faded blue high-top converse tapped quietly to a song playing in her head as she continued to type.
Her dark brown eyes scanned over each word, trying to ignore the slamming of the fridge door as her father grabbed another beer.
Her delicate hands stopped typing at the sound of the front door opening. Her 16 year old sister walked in, clad in a pink t-shirt and some jeans with her strappy stilettos. Caitlin Morrolin, her only sibling, had her brown hair tied up tightly in a ponytail, her blue eyes angrily looking around, adjusting to the change in lighting.
“Get off, I need the computer.” She demanded, throwing down her white backpack on the dirty dark blue rug. It had major discoloration and smelt of cat urine beer, and cigarettes. The stains on it and the rough spots made it look as bad as it smelled.
“I’m using it, fuck off.” Jamie retorted, minimizing her window to turn to her sister.
“I need to use it, get off the god damn computer!” Caitlin yelled, walking over. She stood with her arms crossed in front of her sister, towering over her at 5’7 at a weight of 130. Her tight blue jeans clung, riding low on her waist while her tight pink shirt showed her bellybutton. Her toned mid section and legs showed her athletic background. She played soccer for the school along with basketball and track. Caitlin was one of those nice popular girls, the ones that were sweet to everyone no matter what and were respected and loved for it. Of course, these students didn’t see Caitlin when she was home.
"It’s not happening, I’m busy. Go to the library or something.” Jamie said standing up to go to the kitchen. As she walked by, her shoulder hit Caitlin’s, oblivious to any consequence that may come, and stepped into the rat infested room.
The kitchen was tiny and cramped, with only a few cabinets, a dirty sink filled with old dishes that had become a new habitat for the many maggots that survived there. The once white tiled floor was a dark brown with large water stains and rat pellets.
Opening one of the outdated cabinets, Jamie pulled out a box of animal crackers and opened it. One thing she would always have from her childhood was animal crackers, and no one could take that away.
With the box in hand, Jamie walked back into the living room, noticing her sister had taken over the machine she had once occupied only moments ago.
“Get your ass out of the chair before I force you.” Jamie said, storming over in anger. “Hey, ass-wipe, I was doing something!” She said, standing next to her sitting sister, continuing to slam the box onto the desk. Jamie glanced over to see what she was doing when Caitlin didn’t reply.
“What the fuck!?” She yelled attempting a grab at the mouse when she realized what her sister was looking at. “I didn’t give you permission to read my stuff!” Caitlin pushed her away, her face contorted in disgust.
“Why would I want to read this, you’re so depressing. What kind of faggot writes “The knife was her one true love, her one true release, from the sick world that cut her so much deeper than that knife ever could…” I mean come on Jamie, you-“
“Shut up!” She hissed, grabbing the chair her sister was seated in and pulling her back. The chair tipped and Caitlin let out a screech of panic, while her foot hit the computer.
“Fuck!” Caitlin yelled, grabbing her foot in pain. “What’s wrong with you!?” She demanded, getting up, out of the chair, and leaning against a stained wall that was once a light blue.
Jamie looked at the screen once more and to her horror the computer was off. “God damn it!” She squeezed her fists in attempt from letting out any more angry bursts. “My story’s gone…” She mumbled, looking away from the computer and at the floor. Her once glaring eyes turned to a blank expression.
“It’s just a story…” Caitlin said, innocently.
“Just a story…? It’s just your fucking foot, who cares if it’s hurt. Who cares if it’s broken?” Jamie said sarcastically. Caitlin just rolled her blue eyes and started to walk away to her room. “You’re such a whore…” Jamie said, muttering under her breath. Caitlin stopped and turned, anger gleaming in her eyes.
“At least I’m not a fucking freak! You’re mad because I can get a guy’s attention-“
“-by sucking his dick.” Jamie replied coldly.
“Fuck you!” Caitlin yelled, “You have no idea what the hell you’re talking about! Go cut yourself, emo-freak!”
“What the hell’s going on out there!?” Jamie and Caitlin froze in terror, their father had heard. Jamie grabbed her sister’s arm and opened the closet door.
“Get in there-“
“Jamie, don’t-“
“Caitlin!” She gritted her teeth, pushing her sister in the closet and shutting it. She knew what was coming, they both did. Jamie tensed as she heard the door slam against the wall as he threw it open, large feet stomping at his approach.
“What the hell are you doing?” He yelled with a beer in hand, eyes glazed. “Where the fuck’s your sister?” He demanded an answer, grabbing her backpack from the ground. His blue eyes were blood shot and his face was a bright red. From the drinking or his anger, Jamie didn’t know.
“She left, said she’d be back.” Jamie lied, praying it would satisfy him and he’d leave.
“Bullshit, I heard you two yelling. Did you upset her again!? She’s the one good kid in this house and you have to always fuck with her!” He yelled, getting louder with each word. She wouldn’t wince; she didn’t want him to see the fear in her face. “You’re just like your stupid mother…” He said, gritting his teeth.
“You still loved her.” Jamie said, not realizing she had said it out loud.
“You stupid little son of a…” His eyes squinted as his fists tightened around the half empty bottle of beer. “You’re talking back to me!? What kind of ingrate are you? After all I’ve done for your sorry ass!” He yelled, slapping her across the face. Jamie stepped back a few steps. Pain seared through her throbbing cheek and she knew it would result in a large bruise.
“You talk like your mother, you act like your mother, you look like your mother… you must be just as much of a whore-“
“She was a better person that you’ll ever be!” She argued, not thinking as her body grew hot and her mind was fogged. “You didn’t deserve any bit of her!”
His next hit wasn’t as light as his slap. His fist came at her at lightening speed, right in the gut. She gasped for air and backed up as she was bent over in unbelievable pain. The closet door burst open and Caitlin flew out, panic in her eyes.
“Daddy, stop…” Caitlin begged seeing her sister’s shaking body.
“So you did lie to me!” He roared, pushing his oldest daughter onto the ground. “Caitlin, go to your room.”
“No, Daddy, please don’t-“
“Your room, now.”
“Daddy, she didn’t upset m-“ He raised his hand to threaten her and Caitlin backed away in fear, tears clouding her vision.
“Unless you want to get what she is, you better run your little ass into that room of yours.” He said, glaring at his daughter. Caitlin ran to her room, mentally apologizing to her sister. She couldn’t get along with Jamie. Her older sister was too weird, too bitchy, and too stubborn to allow her to do what she wanted. Jamie was like the mother Caitlin rarely had, she was grateful for her constant presence and remorseful for leaving her there, but why should they both be hurt?
Caitlin covered her ears to block out the cries of pain from her sister while she cried.
“Tell me again, where was Caitlin!?” He yelled, pouring the beer on her head, continuing to break the glass against a wall. “Answer me!” His voice boomed in her ears as she tried to think.
“I-I don’t...” Jamie gasped for air through her sobs. She moved fast so she was on her hands and knees, crawling away as a desperate attempt to get away. Her father grabbed her converse clad foot and jerked her back. She fell on her stomach and cried out in agony.
“I told you to answer me…” He said, his voice dangerously low. She remained silent and gasped for air through her sobs, praying he’d leave her. “You’re pitiful.” He mumbled, walking away to the kitchen to get another beer.
Her petite body lay there, shaking from fear, from pain, from sobs. Jamie knew she’d be spending the night there.
“I’ll just do it at school.” She said, emotion absent from her face. Jamie walked into the kitchen, tiptoeing her way to a beaten up wooden door. She opened it, revealing her small bedroom which consisted of a twin size mattress, a black cover, a blue and white pillow, and clothes piled in a suitcase.
She grabbed a blue shirt and a pair of black jeans and slipped them on. The shirt was fairly tight, being from her freshmen year in high school and the jeans were yet again baggy. Grabbing her black hoodie and back pack she set out for her long walk to her second hell.
Jamie opened her bag as she walked out of the door, not bothering to even acknowledge Caitlin as she left. She grabbed some cover-up and applied it heavily to her bruising cheek; she didn’t need anymore rumors going around. Once she was finished caking on the cover-up, Jamie grabbed a hair tie and tied her hair in a sloppy pony tail, insuring it would stay out of her face.
She looked ahead to see how far until her daily visitor appeared. The stop sign for the rarely-busy intersection wasn’t that far ahead, and she didn’t see him anywhere. “Maybe I got lucky and he decided to go dive off a bridge.” Jamie muttered to herself.
“Now that’s not nice, Jamie, my love.” A deep male voice said from behind her. Jamie whirled around; eyes glaring at the boy she hoped wasn’t there.
Chester Berlington was an 18 year old boy whom seemed quite impartial to Jamie. “Do you always have to follow me around…?!” She growled, turning around and continuing her walk to the school.
Chester, standing at an even 6 foot, at a weight of 160 pounds, wore a white wife beater with cargo pants that hung low enough to let his blue plaid boxers stick out, and a studded black belt with white and green etnies. His black sunglasses reflected the bright sun in the spring weather and his white teeth sparkled when he grinned. His red Mohawk stood 7 inches off the top of his head, which made people label him as “punk” or “trouble” as soon as they saw him.
“James, what happened to your lip…?” He asked, noticing her split lower lip.
“Nothing, why are you so inquisitive this morning? And since when were you observant…?” Jamie asked him, quickening her pace as he started to catch up.
“You know, one of these days you’re going to have to tell me what’s-“
“-and one of these days you’ll learn it’s none of your damn business.” Jamie said, stopping to snap at him. “Why do you ask everyday, and why do you say that everyday. I have to repeat myself daily! I sound like a broken record, just stop already.” She said.
“James, I’m just worried about you. It’s a little suspicious when you have these cuts on you, or god-forbid some of these bruises.” Chester said, scanning her face. She did a good job with the cover-up, but he knew what was happening. He got the gist of it; he just didn’t have all the pieces fitting together.
“Don’t get your little panties in a twist, I’m alive aren’t I?” She said, rolling her chocolate eyes and continued walking. He hesitated, but followed behind her.
“I don’t know if you could call yourself living… I rarely see a smile on that face of yours.” He commented, sticking his hands in his pockets while dragging his feet as he walked.
“Why should I smile? I go to school, work, and then home. And with a dork like you following me around, I don’t see any reason.” She retorted. Her ponytail let some more strands of hair fall down, framing her face.
“Oh please, those rare occasions that you smile are because of me! I make you laugh, just admit it.” He insisted.
“Damn, you’re right.” She said sarcastically, “I can’t help it, laughing at you is far too easy.”
Chester jumped in front of her and struck a dramatic pose. “Oh Jamie, you wound me so!” He claimed, placing his hands over his heart. “How shall I ever live when you constantly beat me down…?” He said, sighing in mock-agony.
“Let’s all pray you don’t make it another day.” She said pushing past him. “Oh look, another fabulous day at hell, welcoming us with its open doors.” She said bitterly, glaring at the sight of the school.
“Well, maybe if you were a bit more social…” Chester said, grinning at the comment he’d come to say daily to her bitter opinions of their school.
“Maybe if you just died…” Jamie muttered, rolling her eyes. She knew things would be easier if she tried to befriend people, but how do you make friends with people who don’t give you a chance?
Chester laughed at her predictable response. “Jamie… sweet, cynical Jamie, open your mind to the possibilities school gives you, the opportune moments you seem eager to pass up because people are a bit…”
“Immature? Easily influenced? Lacking integrity, intellect, and opinions formed by another thing they lack, a mind?”
“I was going to say juvenile, but that works too I guess.” He said, shrugging his shoulders. Chester loved people; he didn’t understand why his friend would rather be alone than have people around. He was friends with the majority of the people at the school, he was positive he could help her make friends.
They walked up the side walk to the school’s front parking lot, where most of the students attending the school stood every morning. Cars filled the parking lot, each one crowded by a group of students the owner was friends with. Jamie scanned the area, hoping no one would start anything that morning, and made a b-line to the tree she sat under every morning.
The field next to the school was quiet most of the time, occasionally students would play soccer or football for something interesting to do, but normally it was serene compared to the parking lot.
“Do you think-“ Jamie started, only to be interrupted.
“Chester! Oh my gosh! I haven’t seen you since before the April break!” Shrieked a tall brunette who attached herself to him on sight. “You should totally give me a call, let’s hang out some time!” She giggled, releasing him from her tight grip.
Chester gave her a flirtatious smile, causing Jamie to mentally gag. She’d seen this routine too many times, so she walked away to her tree. He’d flirt with her and then promise to call with no real intention of calling while her high hopes soared in the sky.
Jamie sighed as she threw her backpack under the large oak tree and sat with her back resting against the tree. She hated seeing him flirt with other girls, not that she’d admit it. He was her one and only friend, and even though she would never own up to the fact that he really was a friend to her, he was a better friend than she’d ever hoped for.
Yet, he stood there, getting the number of some dumb brunette girl who changed bed partners more often than underwear. Maybe he wanted her for sex, maybe he wanted to just hang out with her. She’d never actually know.
The bell rang to signal students were to go to their classes at that moment, but Jamie didn’t move, she had 15 minutes to get to the class before technically being late. She just observed.
Chester stood, still talking to the brunette, whose face was pink with a blush, still giving her that flirtatious grin. He let out a laugh and continued talking to her.
“Longer than usual…” She mumbled, noting the fact that he hadn’t walked away yet. What was he doing…?
Suddenly a new face popped up between the two, a girl with a green tank top on and blue, faded, low rise jeans accompanied by high heals. Who would that be? Of course, Caitlin.
Her younger sibling flirted with Chester for a second, and then pulled her friend away, waving goodbye to him. Chester watched them walk away and then looked in Jamie’s direction. There she was, glaring again. He sighed, not sure what to do about that. He could have sworn she acted like a jealous girlfriend when he talked to other girls, but then once he talked to her, he realized she wasn’t. She never would be. It was just her angry, cynical self punishing him for being a person and having the freedoms to speak with other humans.
It used to be amusing, but he’d been dealing with it for 6 years. “Time to get back to Miss Moody...” Chester mumbled, half not wanting to even bother with her.
“So James, I was-“
“I’m going to class.” She spat, bumping shoulders with him as she walked by. Chester grabbed her arm, hoping to get a civil word out of her.
“James-“
“I need to be more “social” remember? I might as well start with my teachers.” She said sarcastically. Jamie pulled away from him and walked to class.
He shook his head at her and followed, he’d never understand her.
My original story was written when I was 13... It needed some major editing. Tell me what you think, hopefully its better!
Thanks!