Broken Read Online Free Page A

high-end luxury car and had the best of everything.
    “No more of that Kerryanne Lashley.” With one last look in the mirror, she hopped into the shower and washed her hair twice and deep conditioned it before brushing it to a high sheen. She admired her handy work in the mirror, her spirits already lifted by the results.
    She climbed into bed feeling a huge sense of achievement, and with a deep sigh turned it off and went to sleep. For the first time in a long time she was looking forward to what the new day would bring.

Chapter 2
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    T he next day, before she could lose her nerve, she got up early and got ready for her walk of shame. Everyone knew what had happened to her and though she was sure not all of them were actually laughing at her behind their hands, she was pretty sure the ones who weren’t were pitying her, and she wasn’t sure which horrified her more.
    She pushed those negative thoughts aside as best she could as she drank her second cup of coffee. After rinsing the cup and putting it to drain, she headed to the bathroom to add the finishing touches to her appearance. The fact that she even cared was a good sign as far as she was concerned. It had been a while.
    In her jeans that now fit a little looser around the hips, but fell just right enough to be considered fashionable, and a nice halter top she’d had stuffed into the back of her closet, promising herself she would work up the nerve to wear one night to wow Paul, she checked herself out in the mirror.
    She certainly hadn’t lost any weight in her upper torso. Her breasts, which had always been a source of embarrassment for her, were even more pronounced now on her much thinner frame. Whatever!
    She brushed her fat curls until they fell loosely down her back and glossed her lips with her favorite cherry flavored lip-gloss. With one last twist and turn in the mirror she spritzed on some body splash from the Dollar store before grabbing her bag and heading for the door. She didn’t have time for makeup, who could afford it?
    She had no idea that her fresh-faced look coupled with her natural aura of innocence was like a beacon. She had second thoughts about the top and was about to go change when something stopped her. Looking down at herself she was assured that she was decent enough and she’d seen people out and about in much worse. So what the halter framed her breasts like they were an offering, and left part of her back and all of her arms exposed.
    She took a deep breath and geared herself up as best she could, trying to quell the nerves that were threatening to overcome her. “Open that door Kerryanne and stop being such a freak. You can’t hide in here forever.” She was getting better at talking herself into action, something she’d had to learn in the last few months or she’d never get anything done.
    Hopefully, today would be one of those overcast days Silver Springs was known for, and people would stay inside. Her stomach was a jumble of nerves as she turned the knob, preparing to face whatever was awaiting her out there.
    The first breath of fresh air in a long time hit her and she felt sweet stirrings in her chest. Like a flower that needed sunlight to bloom, in those first few seconds she forgot everything else, but the feel
    of the rays on her face. There was a pep in her step as she stepped down off the three little stairs outside her apartment door.
    Of course it was a clear sunny day, not a cloud in the sky. Birds chirped in trees and the early morning breeze teased the leaves as she walked by. Already, she could feel the impending heat of the coming day as she swung her bag over her shoulder and wished for invisibility. She was already losing the little spark she’d first felt.
    It was only a ten-minute walk to the library, but she felt as though she was walking to the gallows. She kept her head high even though she felt as though she would throw up any minute. The little mantra she kept repeating to herself