Crystal Falls, Heather Lawhun [best management books of all time .TXT] 📗

in surprise.
“That’s correct.” He said after awhile and then he continued his lecture. Some of the students laughed. I just went back to my memories. Memories are the most precious things that I own and if anyone took that away from me, I don’t know what would happen. Rori has third lunch today! I’m so happy! Now we to get to discuss after school.
“Okay, Isaac is going to pick us up after school today. Oh and the movie that were watching is Paranormal Activity two.” Rori nodded.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve gone to the movies.”
“Really?” I’m so happy that I learned something new about Rori! We all sat there and talked the rest of lunch. Finally, the bell ran ending school and we all went out to go find Isaac. Rori looked really nervous, so I tried to tell her that she didn’t have to worry so much. But that didn’t seem to work. Isaac didn’t show up until ten minutes later. Those ten minutes felt like ten hours. Adrian and David would completely agree with me on this if I had said it out loud.

Chapter 4

I am so glad the day is over. I had yet another day full of stares and introductions. Why is it that everyone stares at me? I mean, it would be a different story if I was amazingly gorgeous or freakishly ugly, but I look average. I couldn’t help but smile when I heard Adrian call me over in the commons. “We are headed to the movie so I figured I’d catch you here rather than going all the way back to the house.” He said looking down at the ground. When he finally looked up I made sure and smiled really big to let him know I was glad he caught me. He seems really sweet. When we got to the car, I met the only member of their family I hadn’t seen before. “I’m Isaac.” He said smiling.
“I’m Rori.” I said shaking his hand. I saw his eyes almost involuntarily shift to my cheek.
“That’s quite a bruise.” He said frowning.
“It’s nothing.” I lied trying to think of an excuse. “I ran into a door handle.” I said looking at Adrian as I said it. Last thing I needed was someone with authority snooping around and forcing us again. Adrian seemed to understand, but Isaac didn’t look convinced. He looked me over with judging eyes taking inventory of scars from past beatings and bruises and scratches from recent ones. “I’m a bit of a klutz.” I whispered ashamed that a stranger cared more than my own mother. He surprised me by hugging me.
“If you need anything, don’t think twice about asking me. I won’t tell but you have to be honest with me about what happened.” Yeah right, like I hadn’t heard that before.
“I ran into a door knob and tripped on the stairs. That’s what happened.” Isaac sighed but dropped the subject thankfully. The drive to the theater was quiet. At the movies I sat between Adrian and Emi. I must have been really tired because I fell asleep. I got really embarrassed because I was leaning on Adrian, so I hurriedly moved when I woke up. He stifled a laugh since the movie was still on. I decided to get a pop to keep myself awake. The line at the concessions was super log, but I waited anyway. I ordered a cherry Pepsi. I was digging in my pickets when I remembered I didn’t have any money.
“I got it.” Adrian said handing the cashier the money.
“Thanks.” I said blushing. “I will pay you back I promise.”
“Don’t worry about it. Isaac told us to pya for you so it’s all good.” HE bought himself some popcorn and we went back to the theatre. I’m not sure how it happened but we somehow ended up sharing the popcorn and soda. David looked at us weird and Emi almost busted up laughing. I don’t see why. After the movie we went to the arcade. Adrian and I played a dance game. “You know,” Adrian said after losing three times. “For a klutz you sure are light your feet.” Even though he was only joking, it was like a slap in the face. I figured he would have caught on that I had lied to his brother but apparently he didn’t understand as well as I thought.
“I have to get home.” I told Emi and left. I ran about halfway there when I heard a car following me.
“You need a ride?” Isaac asked looking concerned.
“No thanks.” I said and kept walking. He drove right beside me all the way home. When I walked in, I saw mom out like a light with needle marks on her arms and syringes on the table. Drug of choice, heroine; lovely mom, best example yet. I ran up to my room and started to cry. When I couldn’t cry anymore, I looked out my window and saw Adrian staring at me. ‘I’m sorry’ he wrote on a piece of paper he held up to the window. I really wanted to be in a house where I wasn’t alone at least for a few hours. ‘Can I come over?’ I wrote back. I took his huge smile to mean yes. I grabbed shoes and rushed over. He was waiting outside for me.
“Want to walk to the park?” He asked.
“Sure.” I said. We walked and talked until we both got too tiered and then walked home. Emi was on the porch.
“Isaac said she could stay the night.” She said sleepily. I went home and got clothes for the next day and went back to the Andrews’ house. Even thought I fear becoming close with anyone, I have to admit this family cares for me a lot. I fall asleep thinking of what it would be like to have a family like them.

Chapter 5

The next morning, I got up earlier than usual. Why? Well I can’t sleep. I couldn’t get the bruise on Rori’s face out of my head. I sighed as I grabbed my stuff for school. I also have early practice this morning too. I went downstairs and began making breakfast after I made sure everyone was awake. “Well, I’m going to work and my next day off is Saturday.” Isaac said grabbing the keys.
“Okay.” He gave me a hug and then he left. Rori stayed in our guest bedroom next to Adrian’s room. David walked into the kitchen. “Where are Adrian and Rori?” He shrugged and sat down at the table. I hugged him and then I put breakfast out on the table. Adrian and Rori walked in soon after. David looks like he’s feeling likes he’s been left out. I can sympathize with him, although he may feel worse about it. For once we all actually made it to the bus. Adrian sat with Rori, so I sat with David. “Are you okay?”
“I miss Adrian.” And that’s all he said for the rest of the bus ride to school. I wanted to hug him and reassure him, but I don’t know what to say. So I felt helpless the whole time. David looked really tired too.
“If you don’t fell well, come get me okay?” He nodded but I don’t think he heard me. I sighed. We got off the bus and I went to track practice. We were just running laps today.
“So did you have fun yesterday?” Sarah asked as we stretched.
“Yeah, and we invited Rori to come with us.”
“Rori? You mean the new girl?” I rolled my eyes.
“Do you know anyone else in this school that has the name Rori?”
“Still, why did you ask her to go with you guys? She looks like stuck-up snob.” I glared at her.
“She’s not a stuck-up snob! She’s just really shy!”
“I’m sorry, but,” I just took off running without her. How could she think of Rori like that? Rori is really nice. Is that what people at this school are saying about her? If you ask me, they’re the ones who are stuck-up snobs. They don’t even know her! “Emi, I’m sorry!” Sarah said running up to me. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean those things.” I sighed.
“It’s okay Sarah.”
“You two, stop your yapping and run!” Coach Stevens yelled.
“Yes ma’am!” Sarah and I yelled at the same time.
“Andrews, get over here!” I stopped and ran over to Coach Stevens. “You’re wanted at the nurses’ office.” I wonder what it is. I rushed to the nurses’ office when thoughts of David and Adrian came to my mind. I walked into the nurses’ office and saw that David looked really pale.
“He threw up in the middle of the lunch room. His friend brought him here.” One of David’s friends was sitting on a chair.
“Thank you.” I said to David’s friend. He nodded, got up, and left. The nurse went off into the other room. “Are you going to be okay?” I asked David as I walked up to him.
“Yeah, I’ll be okay.”
“Do you want to go home?”
“Yeah, I don’t feel so well.”
“Are you okay to walk?” He shakes his head ‘no’. “Okay, stay right here and I’ll go get the car.” He nods and then I go to the office, explain what’s going on, and run home to get the car. I drove back to the school and got David. We brought a bucket just in case. At home, I got him to take a shower and then made him lay down on his bed. I checked for fever and it turns out, he’s got a fever. I went through the medicine cabinet and got some medicine for fever and upset stomach. I gave David the medicine. He fell asleep some time after that. That’s odd. I thought for sure Adrian would’ve brought David to the nurses’ office. That’s usually how it is. I wonder if Adrian was with Rori.
I don’t like seeing David upset. I called the school and told them my situation. They understood and I told them to tell Sarah to gather all of my stuff and bring it by the house later. When I was done with all that, I plopped onto the couch, exhausted. Five minutes later, someone was banging on the door and was yelling. I opened the door hesitantly. There was a woman standing on the porch looking drunk out of her mind, high as a kite, and angry; not a good combination. “Where’s my whore of a daughter!?”
“She’s at school.” I said assuming this was Rori’s mother, calmly.
“You’re a liar! I saw her walk inside your house!” She yelled shaking her fist slightly.
“Ms. Scott, could you please quiet down? My brother is sick and is sleeping.” Next thing I know, my cheek started to sting.
“How dare you talk back to me with that tone of voice, you slut!?” I blinked in surprise.
“I wasn’t,” I somehow ended up on the ground and all I could feel was pain. I blacked out eventually after my whole my body went numb. I don’t even know if I even yelled for help or not. HT e last thing I heard was Ms. Scott leaving.

Chapter 6

It’s lunch time and Emi still isn’t back. I tried calling her cell and she didn’t answer. Adrian is worried to, so Isaac told us he would pick us up and go check on her. When we got there my mom was in our front yard. “Get over here, you little slut!” She yelled at me. I went to talk to her, but Isaac held me back.
“You don’t answer to that.” He murmured to me. So there I was stuck in the middle of two