Leaving Serenity Read Online Free PDF Page B

boy’s flannel shirt flopped in my face as he shoved himself into me. The shirt smelled like greasy food. I squeezed my eyes shut to wipe away the stinking boy on top of me. I thought about Kizzie and her soft hug that set me apart from the other s and made them hate me . I started to cry.
    Greg lean ed on one knee next to me and kept a strong hold on my face. The hazy light flickered on the boy’s blonde hair. His weight crushed more air from my chest. I panic ked and fel t like I was going to throw up.
    “Yeah!’ the big boy barked, and jumped off me.
    Greg turned my head to the side so that I couldn’t see the next boy. A tall, thin shadow and the scent of Brute cologne hovered over me. The boy rammed hard into me until I felt like my insides were being torn apart . My tears soak ed Greg’s hand, and it beg an to slide around. I choke d on the snot running down my throat . I start ed to gag . Greg’s hand slipped away from my mouth, and I let out a blood curdling scream.
    He looked toward the door and ye lled, “Come on! Hurry up, Man!”
    A softer voice said, “Nah, I’m leaving.” And then, a hazy light seeped through the open door.
    Greg caught his grip and pushed my head harder into the floor.
    “She’s gettin’ freaky. We ’d better get outta here, too.”
    Greg put his face next to mine. His voice turned hard and cold. “No need to scream  ’cause nobody’s going to hear you anyway with all that noise out there.”
    The tall, skinny boy was out the door before I saw him. Greg slowly moved his hand away from my face. I gasped for air and gagged. T he hot chocolate c a me up all over my coat. Greg sto od in the doorway, watching me.
    I coughed and cried, “Why me?”
    He shrugged. “You were there.” And the door closed behind him.
    I braced my elbow on the floor to get up, slipping on the wet coat underneath me. I felt dizzy, wobble d, and trip ped over the jeans tangled around my ankles. Sha rp pains swelled throughout my lower body and streamed down my legs. A surge of energy rushed through me as I thought, I ’ve got to get out of here ! What if they come back? What if they bring more guys ?
    I reach ed for the keys to Mama’s Country Squire station wagon in the coat pocket and roll ed the ruined coat into a ball. Pain radiated through my body as I l imped to the car . The loud speaker announce d Jeff’s name. The second half of the game wa s just starting. That mean t that only fifteen minutes ha d passed since I went inside with Greg. I thr e w the coat into the big garbage can next to the gate.
    I started the car and let it coast toward home. Tears poured down my cheeks like an erupting volcano. How could I be so stupid to think that he really liked me? Why do they hate me so much? Why me?
    When I saw Adam’s yellow Charger was parked in the driveway, I cringed. That’s all I need .
    I let myself in the front door quietly. Mama and Adam were watching The Carol Burnett Show , snuggled together on the co uch like an old married couple.
    Adam called over his shoulder. “Is the game over already?”
    “Uh, no. I left early to beat the traffic.”
    Mama stared at the TV contently and said, “That’s nice, dear. Leave the keys on the credenza.”
    I closed the bathroom door and turned on the shower to drown out my sobs and the pain com ing from every part of my body. I slowly peel ed off my clothes. Underneath, my body wa s an awful mess. I st ood under the hot water and wash ed the filth of the night down the drain. I looked in the mirror at my red eyes and splotched face. S heepishly , I turned around to check out the rest of my body. Other than a red streak down my spine, there wasn’t a scratch on me anywhere but inside where no one could see.
    Tucked safely underneath the pink ruffled bedcovers, I cried freely. If I had scars, had been left for dead, or at least, wound up in the hospital, I’d be an innocent victim. My family would rush to my side and brush away the pain with love