Splintered Heart

           
⚠️TRIGGER WARNING: This chapter contains talk about Domestic Abuse⚠️

Isabelle's POV

"Just breathe, Isabelle," I tell myself as I finish applying my makeup. "You're going to be okay," I keep reassuring myself.

Today is my first day at my new school. My parents and I decided it was time for a fresh start.

It's my senior year.

I was supposed to be starting the best year of high school with all my childhood best friends, but here I am in the middle of nowhere, and my heart is damn near beating through my chest.

Trying to stay positive, I remind myself I got away from someone poisonous, my ex-boyfriend Liam Vale.

We dated for the past two years, and he was the absolute love of my life, until he cheated on me.

That's not where it ends, I was dumb and took him back.

He changed in the worst ways possible, and he started physically abusing me.

Esme Marlowe, my best friend, noticed the abuse and helped me leave him for good this time.

My parents found out about the abuse when one night, Liam broke into our home. It was traumatic, to say the absolute least

It finalized my parent's decision to move.

Snapping out of my thoughts, my mom yells, "Isabelle! You're going to be late, come on!"

I roll my eyes, and grab my keys to my old white Toyota Corolla.

"You're going to be fine, sweetie." My mom kisses the top of my head.

"Can't wait." I sarcastically say before grabbing a piece of buttered toast, taking a bite, and heading out the door.

"Bye guys, I love you." I unlock my car and get into the driver's seat.

It's a gloomy morning, and it's hard to see the roads with all the fog; I sigh tiredly, ready to get this day over with.

I'm not very optimistic.

I've never moved before.

I lived in the same home and city for almost seventeen years.

I had the most fantastic friend group and loved my school until that night happened, we then drove off with our belongings, ready to start over.

So here I am, struggling to see the road ahead while listening to my phone give me directions.

"I can't even enjoy music on my way." I sigh disappointedly.

I sip my much-needed Red Bull and suddenly see my new school just a few minutes away.

I stop directions on my phone and slow down, prepared to turn in.

Arcane Falls High School, the billboard-sized sign reads as I turn into the large parking lot, trying to submerge my anxiety.

I park in a space with no cars near me, thanking God that it was an easy parking job.

I unbuckle, and take one more deep breath before I face the day; adjusting my gray hoodie crop top.

I throw my backpack over my shoulder and head towards the door, following a massive group of fellow teenagers.

I start playing upbeat music, popping in my earbuds.

I find my locker first to figure out my combination, settling myself into a routine.