Torn

CALLIE'S POINT OF VIEW

Calum offered to drive me to school last night, so that's what he did. I'm sitting in his car, with my knees to my chest. I don't know why I keep putting my knees there, it just feels safer, I guess. I hate that I have to go to school though. People are going to ask to many questions, and not just about the many bruises, or the recent gash in my lip. They're going to ask me about Calum, about Sara, about my dad.

Like when I'm walking to first period; I'm used to people staring at me, but not with sympathy. I hear whispers about what could've happened to me all day. I sit down in my usual spot, and everyone besides Calum stares at me. Sara just sends nervous glances at me, because she knows the story.

"What happened?" Ashton asks me, his eyes on my lip.

"My dad is out of jail. They're making me live with him. In my old house." I say simply.

"Oh." Is all he says, but he looks confused. He doesn't know what happened exactly a few years ago.

MICHAEL'S POINT OF VIEW

I stare at the purple bruise on Callie's jaw. This was all her dad? Spending a few hours there and already bruised as hell? I mean, I remember fifth grade. She was a wreck basically the whole year, but she only ever told Calum why.

CALLIE'S POINT OF VIEW

"Hey Callie, you look like shit, as always." Jess laughs, setting her binder on the table. I just keep staring at the table.

"Fuck off, Jess." Morgan snaps.

"Sorry, gosh." Jess rolls her eyes.

"It's her dad." She tells her.

"What?"

"Her dad did this to her." They're talking about me like I'm not even there. I may as well not be, my mind is somewhere else.

"I'll do it in a minute, Jesus!" I yell. Oh no.

I can still hear the gunshots, and closing my eyes only makes it worse. Luke sits down, staring at my face. Ashton whispers something to him, probably about me.

MORGAN'S POINT OF VIEW

"Can we just pretend like I'm fine, please." Callie mumbles, staring blankly and lifelessly at the table. We nod.

"So how's you and Michael?" Sara asks me quietly.

"I told him I loved him." I shrug.

"Really? Aww, that's so sweet." She smiles.

"He didn't say it back." Her face falls.

"You're kidding right."

"Nope. I mean, I wasn't expecting him to anyways."I shrug.

"But that's such a let down." She frowns.

CALUM'S POINT OF VIEW

I watch Luke stare at Sara from across the table. Does he like her? Oh my god. The bell rings, and Callie stands up slowly, crossing her arms, and walking out of the room. I frown.

CALLIE'S POINT OF VIEW

People keep staring and whispering. I don't like it. I sit down in my next class, and until lunch, the whole thing is a blur. I can't even remember what today is.

"Hey Callie." Ashton gives me a sad smile. I ignore it, and sit down next to Calum and Michael. I'm still not on speaking terms with Jess and Ashton, after they ruined me and Calum's relationships. On purpose.

"Are you doing okay?" Michael whispers to me. I shake my head. He doesn't say anything else, he just briefly puts a hand on my shoulder. I'm wearing a sweater though, so he can't even tell he's just making a bruise hurt more.

"I totally failed that test." Jess laughs, sitting down. Ashton gives her a look, as to say 'Callie is hurting, shut up' and she just shrugs. "She said to act normal, that's what I'm doing."

"Guys, she's literally right here." Calum sighs. Finally, someone pointing out I'm not just a doll at a tea party.

MICHAEL'S POINT OF VIEW

I stare at Morgan. I can't believe she told me she LOVES ME, and I didn't say anything. I'm such an idiot!

"So, there's that party on Friday." Jess smirks, opening her milk.

"Are we going?" Morgan asks.

"I am." Jess says. Morgan looks at me, and I nod. Ashton, Luke, and Sara say yes. We stare at Calum and Callie.

CALLIE'S POINT OF VIEW

"Um. I don't think I'll be able to." I say quietly. Calum looks from me to everyone else.

"Yeah, I'm out to." He shrugs.

"Nooo, why?" Michael asks.

"I just. I have a lot of homework." Calum shrugs again.

"Since when do you do homework?"Jess asks.

"Since now." He strongly says. She rolls her eyes.

The whole day is just constant humiliation with everyone so intrigued by me. And when I get home:

"Where the fuck have you been all day?" Jonathan snaps.

"School." I mumble.

"Don't talk back to me!"

"I- I wasn't talking back to you, I was answering your q-" He hits me in my face. It's like he gets enjoyment out of doing that or something.

"I hope you know I don't like hitting you, but someone has got to set some boundaries around here." He crosses his arms. I don't say anything, I just walk to my room and lock the door. I pull out a razor from the box I stole a few days ago. Putting it to my skin, but not doing anything, I start thinking about this. What's the point in causing more harm. I put the razor down when my phone bings.

CALUM: Are you okay rn?
ME: No.
CALUM: Should I come over?

Yes.

ME: idk.

A couple minutes later, and Calum is climbing through my window, sitting next to me on my bed. "How are you doi-"

"I'm afraid of dying." I say.

"You aren't going to die."

"My mom did." I look at him. He doesn't say anything.

Notes