Bloom

2As it turned out, the lucky individual on the soccer team who I had agreed to tutor was none other than Zac Miller. It could have been anyone but to my lack of luck, I happened to be stuck with Zac Miller. Don't get me wrong—I don't know him well enough to judge him. I only knew the things I had seen and heard. I wasn't typically a judgemental person—at all but I really believed that nothing good could come out of me tutoring Zac Miller. Aside from him passing the class and being able to stay on the soccer team, of course. I just—he was the last person I'd want to get involved with. From the things I had heard, he wasn't a good person. "Miller," I mumbled, my eyes narrowing slightly. "What can I possibly do to assist you?"He looked at me for a moment, a grin etching its way onto his face. He was amused by the frustration he could see hiding behind my eyes. "Well, that's just it—you're my new tutor, Bloom."I gaped at him. I didn't even know how to react.This was bad. "What?"

4"Bloom."I turned around to see Zac. I was putting my things in my locker when he walked up to me—an annoyed look on his face.I was surprised to see him come up to me at school. I didn't know if me being his tutor made us friends."Miller." I quirked an eyebrow. I was slightly intrigued. "You could have texted me, you know. Let me know that you got home safe and weren't drugged and kidnapped by your Uber driver." His expression was impassive, his voice cold. I blinked, almost wanting to laugh. Was he serious? Was he—worried about me?"I don't have your number—how was I supposed to text you? You didn't tell me to."Zac ran a hand down his face, evidently frustrated. "You have my number.""No, I do not." I gave him a confused look."I put it in your phone—when you were at my house." Annoyance seeped through his voice. I blinked. I was taken aback by how weird he was acting. "Was I supposed to somehow just know that?" Zac groaned, shaking his head. "You should have told me you got

6ZacI had texted Bloom during last period to tell her to meet me at my house so she could tutor me.As much as I hated chemistry, studying with Bloom actually made sense. The way she explained things made it easy to understand. She was incredibly patient with me. She wouldn't get frustrated when I got distracted or started messing around. She remained composed when I was having a hard time understanding something.I just—I liked having her tutor me.It was weird. I would have never pictured myself friends with Bloom.Are we even friends?I think we are—or maybe she's just tolerating me because she has to tutor me.I don't know but I don't mind her—which is surprising because a lot of people annoy me.Bloom—she's just pure and wholesome and—I don't know. She just makes me want to keep her safe—or some ridiculous sappy shit like that.What does piss me off though—is that jackass Evan she's dating.How the hell does someone as kind and pure as Jasmine date a piece of shit like Evan.Go

8I held the white pills in my hand, staring at them and not being able to make a decision."Hell." I grumbled and then I dropped them in the toilet and flushed them.I sighed and let my knees go weak. I slid to the ground and put my head in my hands. What the hell is wrong with me?"You okay?"I looked up to see my dad standing at the doorframe of the bathroom with his arms crossed over his chest.I pursed my lips, shrugging.My dad frowned as he stepped in and walked over to me, coming down to sit beside me. We both leaned our backs against the shower door."Want to talk about it?"I leaned my head down on his shoulder. "Boy problems."He let out a small laugh. "Your mom would be a lot of help right now. I—I always worried about when you'd get to the age where you'd have boy problems and needed your mom to talk to, not me.""I can always talk to you, dad." I spoke softly.He sighed deeply. "I know. Whose ass do you want me to kick?"I snorted, shaking my head. "Nobody—it's fine.""

10"Morning bitches." Bea muttered tiredly, rubbing her eyes. She yawned as she leaned against the locker next to mine while I pulled my books out.I turned to look at her and smiled cheekily. "Morning, lovely. You—" I pointed at her, "—should smile more."Bea narrowed her eyes suspiciously. Then, she glanced at Jade. They shared a look, communicating with their eyes. Normally, I would know exactly what it meant—right now, I was lost. "Jasmine." Bea exhaled sharply, her tone growing stern. She brought her face close to mine, looking me hard in the eye. I inched away, laughing. "Personal space, Beatrice. Jesus—your breath smells minty fresh. Is that new gum?""Bea..." Jade spoke slowly. She glanced at Bea, concern washing through her eyes. Bea ignored Jade. She placed her hands on my shoulders, holding me still to analyze me. "Are you trying to read my mind?" I laughed lightly, giddiness swirling in my stomach. She ignored me."Oh—you stupid, stupid, fucker." Her voice was cold