1.

Audrey:

Last day of high school is always that dramatic time of the year. I sighed as I stared at the kids giggling because they've got awesome after school plans, bucket list completed, pictures with people they cared about and wanted to remember. 

I scrunched my nose as I noticed the blue haired girl toss confetti in the air and the whole class erupted in cheers. Another kid with brown hair walked in with a big cake and kids followed behind her with drinks and desserts. Today was definitely going to be a big one. No doubt, there was going to be a lot of after school plans, parties are definitely a must.

"Hey Lloyd, care for?" My eyes rose to meet red ones. I could tell they were contacts. His black hair swept across his face, covering half of this right eye. His nails clad in black nail polish wrapped around the can he was handing me.

I nodded, and collected the can of soda. I didn't want to be a debbie downer and say no. I dropped the can on my table and stared at the clock. Just thirty more minutes and school will be over.

"All right, everyone have a seat." Everyone sat there asses down as Miss Gonzalez, our Spanish teacher snapped everyone out of their excitement.  "I know today, a lot of you want to run wild and I really don't want to stand on your madness. I'm just here to tender a farewell speech. It really was nice teaching you guys. I'm going to share the scripts from the exam. Congratulations, you all passed my class. I really wish you guys luck in college. Be good kids alright?" She said as Kenzie walked table by table, dropping scripts on them as she passed.

"Thanks Teach, you weren't so bad either." A guy from the back said.

"Thanks Axel. I'd be leaving now. Don't break down the class please." Her thick Spanish accented voice pleaded as she walked out.

"Alright, let the party begin..." A kid with a red gaze cap worn backwards hollered.

This was going to be a very long thirty minutes.

I couldn't help but quickly grab my bag and head for the door as soon as the bell went off. I just wanted to have my own space to reflect. High school had been quite the effortless struggle for me. Surely I've been in detention quite a lot and cafeteria food fights but I never had a bad grade. I wasn't a wallflower and I was proud. Popular to an extent? Yes. Bullied? Who dares? Kids at my school were quite chill, so there weren't much cases of bullying.

I got on my skateboard and raced to the pizzeria. I wanted to get a large pepperoni and cheese pizza. I heard a ding and took out my phone. I had a message notification from Bentley, the basketball team star:

Hey Chica, party at my place by 7pm. Parents aren't in town. Everyone at school would be there. Wanna come? Please say yes.

I chuckled at the smiley face. Bentley always was a cool kid and the fact that he became the team basketball star player wasn't a surprise. He always was good with the ball. We've been childhood friends so there was no fan-girling here.

I texted back:

I don't know, I've got a big shift at the restaurant tonight. My co-workers are calling in sick and it might just be me and Asher handling today's night shift.

He knew Asher. Thinking about it, who wouldn't. He was the cool British kid that got along with everyone and in a lot of girl's pants too.

A minute later and Bentley sent in his reply:

Cancel babygirl. At least for me. Por favor?

I laughed at his use of the puppy dogs eyes emoji. But I knew I wasn't going to come. I loved parties to an extent but tonight just wasn't in my schedule.

Afraid you'd get drunk and finally get laid?

My eyes widened at the next text Bentley sent. Of course he knew though I wasn't a socially awkward kid, I avoided all things sex. I didn't want no push and pull yet.

I replied:

Fuck off Bettle. I've got work and I really can't bail and don't bother crashing my workplace, I'm not coming with you!

Barely a second after sending it, he replied:

You really wound me chica. I'm sad.

I decided to give up on replying him because he never knew when to give up and it actually worked for him, because he got a lot of things. I sighed, putting my phone in my front pocket so that I can concentrate on steering my skateboard away from possible death.

"Hey Martin." I greeted as I shuffled my feet into the pizzeria. I was pleased at the interior decoration. It was white walls with grey designs. A beautiful aesthetic setting if you asked me.

"Hey Audri. Loving the new design?" He smirked at me, his classic boyish smile. He was a college kid who worked his uncle's place part time and I couldn't deny him being handsome.

His green eyes to his pink lips, red hair and eye brow piercing. A simple ring clad index finger and his other index finger in a black ring, long lashes and a bandaid on the bridge of his nose. He probably got into a fight or something.

"I heard you guys got the place renovated and believe me, this is way better and so beautiful than the basic yellow theme Terry had here." I remarked.

"Thank me. Terrz is out of town and he said I could do whatever I wanted with the place, as long as I'm not shutting down his business, turning it to a kid's party zone or getting the cops at his place." He shrugged, his broad shoulders slumping as he placed his hands down on the cash register, clasping them as he leaned in, "creative aren't I?" He asked, running his eyes over the aesthetic master piece.

"Indeed you are, Terry will be glad." I smacked his biscep as I walked to the sofa machine. "Your idea too?" I asked pointing at it.

"Totally. I finally did something for the old man. It's a thank you for well, being there for me." He mumbled, trying to shrug it off and not get emotional.

Martin and I have been friends for a while, he was in his senior years of high school when I got in. He was one of those cool kids that got into trouble a lot, fights included. He didn't have parents, his legal guardian was his mom's younger brother, Terry. Though Martin didn't say it much, but he cared about him deeply and when he got into college, he took lots of job to lessen the burden on Terry as he already had four kids also, in college. The last one, Kelsie was my mate in high school. And she was a good lad.

"Didn't these go past your budget?" I asked getting worried.

"Nah..." he waved it off with his hand, "I've been meaning to do this for a while, so I saved for it differently. Besides, it didn't cost much once I sold my motorcycle." He rubbed his neck as he chucked nervously.

"You what? You promised me a ride but now you've sold it." I fake glared at him. I couldn't be mad at him, he did it for Terry and I was super proud of him. Though kinda concerned about how he'd be shuffling about his routine now he was without a ride.

"Don't worry, I got some part time summer jobs. I'd buy a new one in no time and I promise you'd be the first person I'd give a ride on it. Besides, what are skateboards for?" He smiled at me.

I smiled at his cute boyishness. He really was a good guy.

"So I want a large pepperoni and cheese pizza." I stated my order as he tied his apron and put on a hair net.

"On it chief." He threw me a salute and got to work.

I took a seat and dug out my phone. I might keep myself busy while I wait. Speaking of jobs, I needed one. I actually wanted to get a motorcycle.  Riding a skateboard around in college would be a little weird.

"Martin..."

"Yo." He answered from the counter.

"Got any idea about more part time summer jobs that pay good?" I asked.

"Why? Want one?" He asked.

"Yeah. The restaurant and cinema ain't cutting it good no more." I said.

"Don't over work yourself Audri." He said back.

"Look who's talking." I retorted with an eye roll.

"Fine. Well, the local pool is looking for another extra lifeguard. I already filled up the first slot and since you're an excellent swimmer, you should take the second slot. Pay is good too." He added.

"Cool. When do they start?" I asked.

"Um... Tomorrow. But I could take you there first thing tomorrow so you'd talk with the guy in charge before people start coming in. Is it good with you?"

"Yeah thanks. I'd be here by 8am tomorrow morning." I said.

"Fuck, you're one early bird." I expected the reply from him.

I added a memo about the pool to my list of things to do tomorrow. I kept a memo of my plans, that way I don't forget. My phone beeps and I already knew who it was.

"Asher, I'm coming already and no, I didn't forget the pizza. Just give me a minute or five... I'd be there." I rolled my eyes at his dramatic rants.

"You better not ditch me for the big party. It's already bad enough that Tasha and Cole called in sick but I knew they lying. Those snitches, faked it because of the party." He informed me. But I wasn't surprised, I saw it coming.

"I won't bail on you. I promise. Besides, you can't handle an entire shift by yourself." I reminded him.

"Just don't bail on me and hurry up, my stomach is beginning to sound like an erupting volcano." He ended the call, leaving me to burst into laughter.

Well, so far, I loved my life big time. It wasn't the best but it wasn't so bad either.