I left the math room, realizing with sudden displeasure that I was making a bad habit of leaving school early. Yesterday, it wasn't so bad, but today? Today was worse. I left before even the midday mark. I sighed, but was glad I got out of that mess named Adrian.

I 'borrowed' somebody's skateboard, picking it up with one hand while I ate a granola bar I had pulled from my bag with the other. My hair flew into my face as I dropped the board onto the ground and placed my left foot on the back, kicking off with my right and rolling off the school property and onto the sidewalk. I tried not to let my thoughts dig through the armor I built around myself, like tiny lions out to slake their thirst on the blood of my emotions. I let out a sigh, hoping all the demons inside of me bombarding my hopeless brain with questions would escape that way. Ah, but that would be too easy.

I found a bench along the bike path, and sat, the cold winter air buffeting my bare skin. I reluctantly turned towards my backpack, knowing Raphael's jacket was an option. It was — but was it really worth it? I violently shivered once more before deciding to risk my mental health over getting hypothermia. I pulled the jacket on, the extra fabric of it pooling in my lap. I held my breath, and tilted my chin away from my body, eyes subconsciously shutting; I was exhausted but I hadn't wanted to admit thoughts of Raph had kept me up all night until now. And I definitely didn't even want to think about Adrian Pastella. I didn't want to begin processing any of it. Ever. So I did the only thing my body could do.

I shut down.

✦

Images shot through my brain all at once. My eyes flew open, and my breathing slowed until I realized where I was: still on the bench, covered with snow, in the freezing cold and the best part of all - surrounded by darkness.

I jerked against the virulent snow blowing my way, and quickly stood, stumbling forward slightly. My toes felt frozen, and I glanced around myself as I pulled my phone out of my pocket. Numb, my fingers pressed the on button, and an image of an empty battery shown on the dim screen.

Before I knew what was happening, cold tears welled and fell down my cheeks. Damn. I knew I had bad bad luck, but really? I stood helplessly on the pavement, knowing for a fact my Aunt would be furious. I didn't even know what time it was, and I could barely navigate my way in this darkness. My legs buckled beneath me, and I felt my body slam against ice on the pavement. I ached in all the worst places, and I knew I was bleeding from somewhere when I raised my hand to my eyes and it was speckled in red.

My lashes fluttered shut, and the last thing I consciously remember seeing was goodyear tires with red and black rims coming to a stop beside my body.