2

My alarm sounds quiet enough for me to hear but not scare me shitless.

I grab the clothes I picked out last night and turn the shower dial to hot and wait for the water to heat up. This is the only time I can blast my music at home because my parents are at work.

After I shower I do my hair and makeup and grab my change of clothes for after work and stuff them in my backpack. I throw on my black converse and run out the door.

Once I get to work I go into Catherine, my managers office. I knock on her door and she calls me in.

“Hi Catherine, I came to ask if I can have my hours changed for today after school. I have a project to work on with a friend if that’s alright” I say and she smiles at me. “Yeah honey, that’s perfectly alright. Just take today and tomorrow after school off. Don’t worry about it” She says and I quickly thank her.

I start to get to work and right before my shift is done and I’m ready to go change my coworker, Cody, asks me to take the last persons order while he makes the drinks. I quickly agree, being in a hurry and run over to the register.

“Daniel, what are you doing here? Again?” I say confused as to why this boy is practically stalking me. “Hi Kisses, can I please have the biggest size black coffee you have? I was up all night doing homework and studying.” He says causing me to notice his big black bags under his eyes. I nod writing his name on a cup and passing it to Cody. I take his money and grab my bag and quickly change.

I got dressed into a pair of black ripped skinny jeans and a white tank top with a black zip up. My hair is curled from earlier and in a high pony tail. I have my makeup natural with a winged eyeliner and pale pink lipstick, my signature I guess you would say.

I see Daniel looking out the window, as if he was looking for something. I hesitate to ask if he needs a ride but figures it’s the right thing to do. “Do you need a ride?” I say catching his attention. “Yeah, I think so, my sister was suppose to pick me up but it doesn’t look like she’s going to” He says and I nod walking out of Starbucks.

Opening the door, I quickly slide into my car tossing my bag in the backseat. I turn the radio on and tell Daniel to put on whatever he would like and he thanks me. It take a good five minutes to get to the school. Before I get out of the car, I put my hood up and look down noticing the masses of people outside.

If there’s one thing you should know about me, its that I don’t like attention.

At all.

Daniel, being the biggest Jock and most popular person in my school attracts a lot of attention. And I don’t want any rumors with my name in them being spread. So I take a safety precaution and put my hood up.

The beginning of the day goes by like normal and then lunch comes. My time to enjoy my time without my parents and just do my homework … alone.

Only this time, I’m not alone.

A few minutes after I sit down and start eating my salad, I see someone sit across from me. Seeing that its Daniel I quickly ask him what he needs. “Do you need me to do your homework too?” I say looking up at him knowingly. “No, what the fuck?” He says confused. I do a bunch of guys on the football teams homework. “A bunch of your guys give me their homework to do so I figured they told you and you came to use me as well” I say stuffing a piece of lettuce in my mouth.

School is a big deal for me because if I get a scholarship, I get away from my parents. Win-win situation for me.

“No, I would never do that. That’s such a dick move. I wanted to thank you for the ride this morning” He says and I nod. “Don’t mention it” I say looking at him and he smiles at me. He has a nice smile.

“Are you sure that’s all?” I say a little worried that he’s not telling me the whole truth. “Alright fine, that’s only one part of it” He says and I nod knowing there was something else. “Come here” He says grabbing my hand and pulling me outside.

“Man, you get a ride to school out of me and then kill me” I say causing Daniel to laugh. “You’re a funny girl Jackson” He says looking at me. “Hmm, are we on last name basis now?” I say kind of curious. All the boys on the football team refer to each other by their last names. “Do you want to be?” Daniel says leaning up against the school wall while I stand in front of him. I clear my throat and then ask the question, “What else did you have to bother me the only alone time I have” I say crossing my arms looking at his blue eyes. “I just have to ask to clarify for myself” He says shifting uncomfortably. I nod urging him to continue. “Are we friends?”

Those three words leaving me completely shocked.

Are we?

Are we not?

Do I want to be friends?

What will happen if we do?

What will people think?

“I-um. I don’t know” I say answering honestly. Daniel nods and scratches his neck, embarrassed. “Do you want to be friends?” I ask playing with my necklace, my nervous habit. Daniel looks at me surprised. I wouldn’t mind being friends with Daniel, I don’t have friends. My only friend moved away in fifth grade. Plus it would give me an excuse to look at him. “Yeah, sure” He says, a small smile growing on his face. “Dan, I’m-oh, who’s this?” Kylie Green, Daniel twin sister walks up to us giving us a look. “Kylie, this is Kisses Jackson, my friend. Kisses, this is Kylie, my twin sister” Daniel says clearing his throat introducing us. Kylie looks at me confused. I clear my throat feeling the tension grow. “Um, well I have to go. I guess I will see you guys around” I say awkwardly walking away. “Meet me after school at the entrance” Daniel says and I nod running back into school.

Talk about awkward.

Science class goes by normally and Christine texts me her address and we plan what we are going to do at her house today.

After school, I wait for Daniel and him and Kylie soon walk up to me. “Hey, sorry I acted weird. You just look so familiar” Kylie says to me and I shrug. “It’s okay, really don’t worry about it. I get weird looks all the time” I say laughing and Kylie nods. “Here, put your number in” Daniel says handing me his phone and I quickly put my number in and hand him my phone to do the same. “I’ll text you later” He winks and him and Kylie walk to their car.

I get into my car, tossing my bag into the backseat and head to the shelter to check in.

“Hi baby” I say picking up Porsha. I volunteer at an animal shelter with cats and dogs and other animals. Over the time I’ve been here, there has been a shih tzu named Porsha.

Her and I have bonded and she is practically my dog. We both have been through the same situations, abuse.

I take Porsha outside to the play pen and throw the ball around for her. She runs after it and drops it in front of me every time. Once she’s had enough she lays down and waits for me to scratch her belly.

“And this is Porsha, she’s a shih tzu and a sweetheart.” Kimberly, the manager says bringing these people to look at dogs. Porsha immediately runs to my side and I look at her frowning. I’m the only person Porsha trusts.

A few minutes later I hear Kimberly call my name. “Just adopt that dog already, she adores you” Kimberly says and I nod. I’m going to ask my parents but they are probably going to say no. I don’t want them to hurt her. Just then a thought comes to my mind. “I’m trying Scarlet. You have no idea.” I say putting Porsha back with the other dogs and heading out.

I finally find myself making my way to Christine’s house. I text her, letting her know I’ll be there in around 10 minutes.