It’s the last class for today, Orchestra. God I love this class, even if everyone hates me in here. It’s music and I love playing my violin.

I sink into the music as I follow the melody. I want to be as great as Jinxx. Ha, that’s not happening.

Class is over already. I guess I’m not going to my drum lessons today since my grandma’s in the hospital. I contact my instructor telling her.

“Hey, it’s Val, I won’t be able to make it to practice today” I say

“Awh, why not, sweetheart?” she asks and I tense

“M-my grandma’s in the hospital, so I don’t have a ride.” I tell her, almost crying.

“Well where are you? I’ll come pick you up”

“I’m outside the school building” I tell her.

“Alrighty, I’ll be there in a sec.” She says and hangs up just as Heather walks out.

“Who ya talking to, bitch?” She taunts.

I just walk away. I’m not in the mood for this shit… My instructor pulls up and I quickly get in the car before Heather and her group can get to me. At least I can let it all out on the drums…

I get out my cell and headphones and put Saviour on repeat. I try not to cry as the song soothes my emotions. This song means the absolute world to me.

I really wish Annabelle had picked up yesterday. I need her so much right now. The car stops at my instructor’s house. We get out and head for the door. I sit at the drum set immediately feeling so alive. I love my drums as much as I love my violin and guitar. I live for music. It’s my only escape… other than cutting…

My drum lesson comes to an end and I get up to walk home.

“You need a ride?” Rebecca (my instructor) asks.

“Nah, I can walk, it’s only a couple blocks away” I say smiling as I head out the door.

I can’t go home now. My granddad will kill me, but I need to know if Grandma’s alright and the hospital probably called the house phone. The hospital’s too far away to walk and I don’t have a car. I decide to call Annabelle. She doesn’t pick up… again… I leave a message on her voicemail and send a text. I wait for about ten minutes and don’t get a reply. I decide to head home.

It’s 12 pm now and I’m standing outside my house. I’m too afraid to go in. What if Grandma died and my granddad takes in out on me? I take my back pack off and look at it. I slide the razor blade out and go down the street to an ally. I slide the blade across my thighs, crying. I head home, legs sore, in hopes that Granddad has gone to bed. I look in through the glass in the door. He’s sitting in his recliner waiting for me. I turn and walk to the guestroom window.

I climb in a rush upstairs before he catches me. I lock my door quick just in time for him to turn the knob and try to get in. He pounds on the door screaming incoherently. He’s drunk. Shit. Grandma must have died in the hospital. He drinks, but he’s never really drunk.

I reach for my phone and find a text from Annabelle waiting for me. I reply quickly telling her to come get me. I need out of this house. Just then my phone rings. It’s the hospital… They called to tell me that my grandma had passed a couple hours ago. I hang up and cry uncontrollably.

Annabelle replies and tells me she’ll be there in 30 minutes tops. I get my stuff together and wait. I see her car on the curb in front of my neighbours’ house. I throw my bag out my window and climb out. I run to Annabelle’s car and throw my stuff in and climb in. I see my granddad open the door.

“Go, Belle, hurry. I can’t have him catch us” I say and she speeds off.

Notes

I hope you guys enjoy this.