Too Far (fixed)

Chapter 2: Possibilities

I finished my classes excitedly, hoping to catch a glimpse of Ashley before I left. I lugged my textbooks over to the front foyer, trying to find her. I sat down on the chocolate brown bench, trying to see her beautiful face over the crowds of the overly anxious kids barging their way through. After a long procession of kids, I finally spotted her. I hopped off the bench, striding towards her. She flashed a swift, stunning grin at me, catching me unawares. I stumbled a little bit, then regained my stride and smiled back. We sauntered outside into the warm, welcoming sun. Looks like the weather and my fortune had changed. We walked down the street, waiting for each other to split off. I grinned when we came to the last intersection and crossed it; we lived on the same street. I stopped at my house. “Bye....” I said, reluctantly walking towards my house “Bye” she breathed. We silently parted, heading off into different directions.

I opened the front door, slipping off my checker shoes at the front rug. I ambled through the front hallway and over to the kitchen, dropping my backpack on the chilly linoleum floor. I snatched some oranges from the refrigerator and ventured over to the couch. I reached out and grasped the remote control in my hand, flicking it on to the news, just like any day. I scrutinized the weather report, and like always, it was going to be sunny for the next week. I clicked the channel over to the sports and absentmindedly watched the flickering images across the screen.

After thirty minutes of pointless staring, I decided to get some work done. I took my Algebra and strode upstairs to my room. I sat down on my polished mahogany desk and opened my textbook.

After I had completed and refined my homework, I went back downstairs. I grabbed some pasta from the pantry and some Primo spaghetti sauce. After going through the motions of cooking, I settled down for some “spaghetti” if you could call it that. I washed and dried the dishes, placing them in the rack.   Weary from my day, I hastened upstairs to shower.

I pondered what could happen tomorrow while I was showering. There were so many possibilities. Some of them involved getting beaten to a pulp.

After I got out of the shower, I heard a ring at the doorbell. I wrapped the towel around my waist and walked over The doorbell rang again, and it almost resounded impatience. I came to the door, expecting my parents, when- multiple fists lashed out at my stomach, knocking me over, they continued to strike me, and then..............silence. I let unconsciousness lap me up in waves.

 

“Wake up.”

I heard voices above me, discussing what happened. I leaned forward, grimacing in the pain.

“You okay, son?”

 I pushed up myself up onto my knees, and spat out blood. I stammered a little bit before I answered “Ye-yeah, I’m okay.”

A doctor leaned over and told me to lie down. I obeyed. He shined a light in my eyes and pulled my bloody t-shirt off of my chest. The doctor examined my bruises methodically, and then seemed to come to a conclusion.

“He looks okay, but we might need to X-ray him to see if his organs are intact.”

I rolled over and pushed myself up into a sitting position. I listened to the surrounding conversations with passing interest; but I really wanted to go to sleep.

“I’m going to back up to bed now.” I said with enforcement. I struggled to stand up, and my father caught me by the arm and stood me upright. I walked upstairs and lay my battered body on the linen sheets.

Almost immediately my lids fell closed, and darkness overtook me.

 

I woke up startlingly; my clock was beeping like the devil. I reached for the snooze button when I saw the clock read 11:00. School started at 8:30; why was my alarm late? I sat up, wincing at the pain in my abdominals, and started to stagger to the kitchen. My parents were downstairs already.

This was getting a little weird. They were usually gone by 6:00 in the morning.

I sat down at the table. They both stared at me inquisitively. I couldn’t make out what they were doing.

My dad started talking first.

 “Son, we’re going to need to take you down to the hospital today; you’re going to need a check-up.” He said nonchalantly, and then continued “Oh, and nice job taking care of that bully!”

 He winked at me and gave me an ear-to-ear grin. I just had to grin back to that smile.

It made sense though. The principal must have called home, but my parents had only got it last night.

I stuffed down my breakfast and threw on some clothes.

Well, this was going to be interesting.