Page 189 of The Way the Heart Breaks: Jade’s Story

I wasn't disrespectful. I was just very honest in telling her I wasn't the one who needed to be there. My sister and my mother shouldn't even be there. They should be checked into some place to protect the people outside those walls from manipulative bitches like them.

Yeah, well, she's the one who taught me about codependence. She thought Lucas and my relationship was unhealthy because it seemed as if everything that brought me happiness was connected to him.

It fucking pissed me off, thinking that someone else saw a friendship like ours as unhealthy.

Now I see that same bond with Tessa and Jade. With Ryan and Alex. I'm not gonna lie when I say I wish I was as close to my siblings as Jade was with her brothers, the way Jack and John Ross are. Tessa and her siblings. Are they codependent? Nah, they have all suffered losses, and yet still they choose to live, laugh, and love.

It's not codependent. It's family.

And school? Yeah, I used to love school. My grades were always A's. I didn't have to study. Still don't.

But you bet your ass I will answer wrong just to piss off my mother.

After that shit went down, well, my sister is the one who actually went down in the real version of what happened that night.

My best friend was sleeping on the top bunk, and my sister climbed up and started fucking with him. I slept through it. Apparently, I slept through a lot of those times.

But not that night.

Not the night my mom came in screaming, with Lucas's flashlight in her hand, which told me she already knew what she would find.

Now, school is cool.

“Add twenty more pounds,” I tell Rex, who is spotting me as I sit up, grab my water bottle, and take a drink.

“Man, you're already at your personal best,” he chuckles.

“Oh no, kid. I'm not peaking in high school.” I laugh and lay back down on the bench.

“That's not happening,” I hear Coach Seville from somewhere beyond the weight machines, and I sit up. “Lane, we're not risking injury. We have scouts asking to come see you boys play.”

“Right. Got it. No injuries until the pros.” I chuckle.

“Go shower. You got class starting in an hour.” He shakes his head.

I stand as Lucas walks by with his towel and snaps me in the ass with it.

“Hey, watch it, man. I don't need a bruise on my ass. Coach said no injuries.”

“Until we're in the pros. I know, I know.” He laughs.

Standing under the shower, I smile knowing I get to see my pretty girl soon, which makes school a hell of a lot more likable.

Honestly, it doesn't even feel like school anymore.

I actually give a shit about what happens here.

My grades are better than they've ever been, which will no doubt make Mom happy. And I know it's not my job. No kid should have to make their parent happy to feel good about themselves.

But yeah, I'm not filling in the wrong bubble or leaving blanks anymore just to piss her off.

I don't want Jade to think I'm a dumbass, even though I play the role really well.

I actually like all my classes. I occasionally study. I listen in class, well, I'm listening unless I'm counting down the minutes until the bell rings.

I knew I needed an art elective, but I also knew that at our old school they would have just given me the credit. Forgot all about that shit.

But now it’s important. I’m stoked about graduating with kids who actually care. Who don't just care about a win. They give a damn about people, genuinely.