Free Sublime Wreckage by Charlene Zapata Page B

of my life. She saw enough first hand when we were younger to last her a lifetime. I stopped having anyone over shortly after my mother lost her parents. That's when things started to get a whole lot worse.
    "Rough night?" I just nod in return. "I know you don't have any other options but I wish you did. I wish there was something I could do."
    "We've been down this road. Foster care isn't going to be any better than living with her. We both know the only people in this town willing to foster teenagers are just looking for a paycheck. You remember that girl Amber who ended up in the hospital because her foster dad beat her to a bloody pulp? Well, I'd rather take my chances with someone who might have some feeling left in her cold heart for her only child. Wishful thinking I know."
    "What about your Grandpa?"
    "He's in his seventies. I can't ask him to take care of a teenager. Besides, he lives two hours away. I don't want to change schools my senior year. I've worked too hard to get the classes I want and need for college. Just sucks that I don't have any other family." My dad was an only child and my mother has a brother who lives overseas. I haven't seen him since I was like 9-years-old. Both of my mother's parents passed away about six years ago. My Grandpa is the only connection I have left to my father. I try to visit him whenever I can but without a car it's just not as often as I would like.
    "That sucks. I'm really sorry Maggie. I wish I could be a better friend for you. I wish I could get you out of this situation."
    "Amanda stop. Please don't ever doubt our friendship. I know you would do anything for me. We have been friends far too long for you to start pitying me now. I'm fine. It was just a bad night. I will get past this just like I have with all the other bad nights. One day at a time. Right?"
    "Right. Sorry. Let's change the subject. I heard a strange rumor going around that Vincent Moreno gave you a ride to work yesterday."
    "OMG! How does this crap get around so fast? Unbelievable. Does everyone know about this?" I throw my hands up in the air then bring them back to my side exasperated.
    "Yeah. Pretty much. So it's true?"
    "Yes it's true." I say after releasing the biggest sigh of my life. When you live in a small town rumors fly around like crazy. "He gave me a ride. Big deal. He seems like a nice guy. I already told him that I'm not looking for anything romantic. I don't have time for a boyfriend. So he said he is willing to be friends." The next 10 minutes are pure torture. Amanda drills me for every single detail until we have to part ways in the hallway.
    "I'm so not done talking about this. You are not getting off the hook that easily." She flips her hair over her shoulder as she smiles wickedly.
    "I can't wait." I say with annoyance. I can't blame the girl. I haven't so much as looked at a guy since Sam. I guess I haven't been a very good friend in that respect. I never gossip about boys with her. In fact, I have a talent for tuning her out when that subject comes up.
    The minutes seem to be crawling by today. I have to be very careful not to breathe too deeply or make any quick movements. I'm going to have to skip swim practice today. There is no way I can take physical activity right now. It just hurts too much. You aren't allowed to miss practice unless you have a damn good reason. I'm going to have make something up. I hate lying. I kind of suck at it so coming up with something believable is going to be hard. I decide to opt out of skipping it all together. I can go and tell couch I'm having horrible cramps. That sort of thing makes him super uncomfortable. More than likely he will let me sit out today.
    At least Amanda was distracted by her new boy toy today at lunch. She didn't have time to ask me anything else in-between all her relentless flirting. It seemed to be paying off because the guy couldn't take his eyes off of her. I can't say I blame him. I have always thought Amanda was