Fatal Flaws

Thanksgiving is growing closer, but yet I don't feel thankful. This assignment is going to be the death of me, I think to myself, staring at the blank piece of paper. I decided to try and get it done early. In case I find some plans for the holidays. I doubt it, but who knows?

Twelve days of break equals twelve things I'm thankful for. So far, I have come up with two. One is that I'm alive. The other is Sky and the fact she woke up. I wish I could talk to her. It feels like forever since I last spoke with her. She's been awake for a few days now and I still haven't gone to see her. I've been avoiding the hospital. The last thing I need is to run into Hayden. Besides, he has more of a right to be there, than I do.

Even thinking about him, or that night makes me nauseous. It's seared into my memory forever. I was so excited when his mom called, informing me of the good news. All I wanted to do was go find them both. To let them know so we could all go see her together.

But I wish I had never answered that call. If I hadn't, maybe things would be how they were before. Before I opened that door, shattering my world. Well, the fantasy world I was living in.

The image of Hayden's cold, glassy eyes staring into my soul through the mirror's reflection. He had his back to me, sitting on the edge of some stranger's bed. His pants were down around his ankles. From the doorway, I couldn't see her very well. Only the top of her head, bobbing back and forth. One of his hands sat on her head, guiding her. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure out what they were doing.

Neither of them even attempted to stop when they heard the door. The only thing he did was ask what the fuck I needed. I debated running in and yanking her off the ground. I wanted to destroy both of them, but I didn't. Instead, I simply told him he needed to sober up. Especially if he planned on going to the hospital and celebrating with his family. Then I shut the door, walking away. I stood outside, waiting for him to come out for his ride. When he finally did, I shoved the phone into his hand and left. I didn't allow him to speak. It was hard to walk away with him screaming my name and begging me to stop. But I did.

I kept walking until I reached my dorm. I was so upset, I forgot my keys were in my bag. Which was at his house, since I planned on going back. Not now. Luckily Hope was about to leave the hospital to come home for the night. She brought me Sky's set.

I guess I figured out what to put for number three on my list. Friends, I'm thankful for the few friends I've made since arriving here. They saved me. This past week, Hope and I have gotten closer. She's been keeping me updated on news from the hospital. We even went out for pizza one night. I'm almost positive she wanted to make sure I was okay after that horrible party. Speaking of Pizza, food should be number four.

Maybe I should put family for number five. I don't have to specify which family members. I'm talking about My Nana and Jason are the only two that would probably make the cut. I love my mom and April, but it's no secret neither of them are my biggest fans.

The phone ringing distracts me momentarily from my work. I check the name on the screen before deciding against answering it. Hayden isn't the only person's calls, I'm ignoring. My mother keeps calling me, inviting me for Thanksgiving. I doubt it would be a good idea for me to go. For one, I don't have a ride, and an Uber would cost too much. For two, why do I want to sit there listening to what a disappointment I am? Or them discussing how nice it's been since I've been gone. The last reason, she keeps mentioning someone she wants me to meet. I bet it's her new boyfriend she doesn't know I know about.

She calls once more before giving up. The sixth thing on my list is technology. I love being able to screen calls and messages, answering only if I want to. Scrolling through my call log, I have several missed calls from my mother and Hayden. I can't believe he's trying to talk to me after everything.