makes them real friends.
“So, what if he asks you out again?” Hayley wonders.
I tug at the strings on my blankets, the soft wool comforting. “I don’t know. Maybe I should give him another chance. It only seems fair, and I do like hanging out with him.”
Jaclyn nods once, firmly. “Then do it, but only if you want to.”
I smile at them. “Thanks. You two are the best.”
Jaclyn grins and wiggles her eyebrows. “You won’t be saying that when you see what I did to your wardrobe.”
Abruptly, I leap off the couch and run into my room, a wacky girl laughing behind me and a quiet one watching with a smile.
_*_*_*_
Working at the library alone and at night sucks. It’s huge, and every sound echoes off the walls and ceiling, creating a creepy atmosphere. Especially since some lights are out in the stock room.
Today has been a long one. I had three major tests already, and I’m pretty sure I failed two of them. If I wasn’t so hooked on Cole and wondering why he hasn’t texted me yet, I’m sure I could have studied better. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. I came here right after my last class of the day and worked on a few chapters that need to be done before next time. I can’t let myself fail. I won’t let them be right.
Just then, my phone goes off, starling me. Heart pounding, I will it to calm down while I pull out my phone. Gasping, I look around in fright.
The pink skirt looks good on you.
The skirt is Jaclyn's, one of her older ones.
Hurrying to stack the last book, I slip the cart into the stock room and slam the door shut, locking it with shaking hands. Then I race down the stairs, foregoing the slow elevator. The lights flicker, and I stop in my tracks. My heart is racing, pounding with dread against my rib cage. I close my eyes, telling myself that he isn’t by me, but my brain won’t comprehend.
I’m having a panic attack.
I’ve had a few before, but Mo was always there with me. I haven’t had one since the night Mom told me he died. I’ve never been alone through one though. And then, as if by magic, there are arms around me, pulling me in tight and whispering words. I don’t know what they are, everything is like mud, but it’s somewhat comforting.
Black spots cloud my vision as I blink to look at the man before me. “It’s you!” I mutter before blacking out.
~Nine~
I hold my palm to my chest, staring at the door with fear as it slowly closes. I can feel my heart pounding against my chest, and my hands are clammy. Mom had to take Mo to the dentist today, and for some reason she doesn’t think I can stay home alone yet. So Steven took the day off. Those days are the worst. Mo knew that and begged Mom not to take him, insisting to have me go with them. Mo was never afraid of the dentist, not like me, and she knew that. So here I am, in my personal Hell.
“Jennifer! Get me a beer!” Steven bellows from his spot on the couch. He’s in his boxers, a box of cold pizza next to him on the couch.
Scrunching my nose up, I head into the kitchen, walking on tiptoes. He hates noise, and I try everything I can to keep quiet. Pulling open the fridge, I grab a bottle before walking over to the sink and breaking the cap off. A while ago, Steven stood over me until I could figure out how to snap the cap off without using a bottle opener. Says it’s a handy skill to have, and now there are hundreds of little dings in the counter because of that.
On shaky legs, I tread into the living room and hand him the beer. He starts chugging it down and before I can leave the room, he’s calling me back. “I didn’t say you could leave, brat. Get over here and give me a kiss.” He grins, revealing yellow-stained teeth.
I can’t hide the disgust now, and with his eyes closed, he can’t tell anyways. I lean down, ignoring his putrid smell, and peck his cheek. I spring back as he laughs and run from the living room. In record time, I reach the toilet and
“So, what if he asks you out again?” Hayley wonders.
I tug at the strings on my blankets, the soft wool comforting. “I don’t know. Maybe I should give him another chance. It only seems fair, and I do like hanging out with him.”
Jaclyn nods once, firmly. “Then do it, but only if you want to.”
I smile at them. “Thanks. You two are the best.”
Jaclyn grins and wiggles her eyebrows. “You won’t be saying that when you see what I did to your wardrobe.”
Abruptly, I leap off the couch and run into my room, a wacky girl laughing behind me and a quiet one watching with a smile.
_*_*_*_
Working at the library alone and at night sucks. It’s huge, and every sound echoes off the walls and ceiling, creating a creepy atmosphere. Especially since some lights are out in the stock room.
Today has been a long one. I had three major tests already, and I’m pretty sure I failed two of them. If I wasn’t so hooked on Cole and wondering why he hasn’t texted me yet, I’m sure I could have studied better. Or at least that’s what I’m telling myself. I came here right after my last class of the day and worked on a few chapters that need to be done before next time. I can’t let myself fail. I won’t let them be right.
Just then, my phone goes off, starling me. Heart pounding, I will it to calm down while I pull out my phone. Gasping, I look around in fright.
The pink skirt looks good on you.
The skirt is Jaclyn's, one of her older ones.
Hurrying to stack the last book, I slip the cart into the stock room and slam the door shut, locking it with shaking hands. Then I race down the stairs, foregoing the slow elevator. The lights flicker, and I stop in my tracks. My heart is racing, pounding with dread against my rib cage. I close my eyes, telling myself that he isn’t by me, but my brain won’t comprehend.
I’m having a panic attack.
I’ve had a few before, but Mo was always there with me. I haven’t had one since the night Mom told me he died. I’ve never been alone through one though. And then, as if by magic, there are arms around me, pulling me in tight and whispering words. I don’t know what they are, everything is like mud, but it’s somewhat comforting.
Black spots cloud my vision as I blink to look at the man before me. “It’s you!” I mutter before blacking out.
~Nine~
I hold my palm to my chest, staring at the door with fear as it slowly closes. I can feel my heart pounding against my chest, and my hands are clammy. Mom had to take Mo to the dentist today, and for some reason she doesn’t think I can stay home alone yet. So Steven took the day off. Those days are the worst. Mo knew that and begged Mom not to take him, insisting to have me go with them. Mo was never afraid of the dentist, not like me, and she knew that. So here I am, in my personal Hell.
“Jennifer! Get me a beer!” Steven bellows from his spot on the couch. He’s in his boxers, a box of cold pizza next to him on the couch.
Scrunching my nose up, I head into the kitchen, walking on tiptoes. He hates noise, and I try everything I can to keep quiet. Pulling open the fridge, I grab a bottle before walking over to the sink and breaking the cap off. A while ago, Steven stood over me until I could figure out how to snap the cap off without using a bottle opener. Says it’s a handy skill to have, and now there are hundreds of little dings in the counter because of that.
On shaky legs, I tread into the living room and hand him the beer. He starts chugging it down and before I can leave the room, he’s calling me back. “I didn’t say you could leave, brat. Get over here and give me a kiss.” He grins, revealing yellow-stained teeth.
I can’t hide the disgust now, and with his eyes closed, he can’t tell anyways. I lean down, ignoring his putrid smell, and peck his cheek. I spring back as he laughs and run from the living room. In record time, I reach the toilet and
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