THE ONE WHO SAVED ME

My alarm sounds—quiet enough for me to hear, but not loud enough to scare me shitless.I grab the clothes I picked out last night and turn the shower dial to hot, waiting 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, then grab my change of clothes for after work and stuff them into my backpack. I throw on my black Converse and run out the door.Once I get to work, I head into Sophia’s office—she’s my manager. I knock on her door, and she calls me in.“Hi, Sophia. 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 my shift, and right before it ends—just as I’m about to go change—my coworker Josh asks me to take the last custom

I wake up to yelling and decide it’s not a good day to go to work before school. I text Josh and ask him to tell Sophia I can’t come in because I’m sick. I know she gave me yesterday and today off, but I obviously hate being home.I check my phone and see a text from Caiden.Caiden: Good morning. I have football practice tonight, so if we can go anytime before 6, that would be amazing.Me: Yeah, sure. We can go right after school if it works for you and Amelia.Caiden: Perfect. I’ll pick you up. Address?Me: It’s alright. I like to drive.That was close.I don’t want Caiden knowing where I live—just in case. I don’t want my secret getting out to anyone. Plus, Caiden and I just became friends.He might not even be my friend.Maybe he feels bad, or it was a dare. I wouldn’t doubt it.With those thoughts running through my head, I sluggishly make my way over to the closet and choose a navy-blue hoodie and a pair of black skinny jeans with my Converse. I curl my hair and throw it into a li

Recap:“No fucking way. You’re Amelia’s childhood friend. You’re the one who I had a huge crush on,” Caiden says, wide-eyed.“Wait, what? "Amelia and I both gasp at the same time.Well, shit.Reality:Caiden just exposed himself for having a childhood crush on me….“Um, okay then. How about we do this homework? "Amelia says as I shift uncomfortably.“Uh yeah, that sounds good,” I say, taking out my finished math homework and five other sheets of it, copying down the answers for a bunch of Caiden’s friends.“Uh, Alexandra? What are you doing, Amelia? "She asks, seeing the six copies of our math homework.“Doing some of the jocks’ homework,” I say, finishing up one page of it.“You still do that for them? Alex, stand up for yourself,” Caiden says, taking the pages away from me.“Caiden, in case you haven’t noticed, I can’t fight. I don’t go to the gym or football practice every day like you and the rest of the guys on your team. I’m the school’s nerd who works two jobs just to make money

“I’m here to see your mother,” Tara says, and I freeze again.“Um, she’s not home right now,” I stutter out, not knowing what to do.“It’s okay, I can wait. May I please come in? "She says," and I nod, mentally giving myself a pat on the back for cleaning up all the beer and wine bottles earlier.“Please, sit on the couch. Would you like anything to eat or drink? "I ask, and she shakes her head no, turning her attention to the TV.I sit next to her, just waiting for my mom to get home.When I hear the car pull up, a warm feeling spikes in my chest, and I know what’s coming: an anxiety attack.I stand, walk slowly towards the door, and open it.“Mom, you have a visitor,” I say, pointing to Tara.“Tara? Why are you here? "She slurs," I cringe, hoping she doesn’t realize.“Are you drunk? "Tara says, concern lacing her voice.Of course she’ll realize; she’s an adult.“No, not at all. I just want my daughter to go get me food. Go now; I want pizza. Leave me and Tara to talk alone. Drop off

I woke up to someone shaking me awake.“Alex, you have to get up. Scarlet’s here,” Caiden says, and I open my eyes to see the yellow-and-white jersey with ‘Sterling’ written across it.“What time is it? "I scratch my eyes, looking at Caiden.“It’s 11. You slept late, Sleeping Beauty,” he chuckles while throwing a shirt over his head, covering the view of his perfectly chiseled abs.“Did I fall asleep last night? "I say, blushing at his previous comment and getting out from under the covers.“Yeah. It was no problem. Soon after you fell asleep, Amelia went into her room, and I felt too bad to wake you up, so you just slept in here while I slept on the couch,” he says, and I nod, feeling guilty.“Sorry, Caiden, you could have woken me up. I feel bad,” I say, and he shakes his head.“Don’t be silly. It wasn’t a problem at all. Trust me,” Caiden says as Tara—wait, Aunt Carmina—walks in.“Hey honey, can I take a look? "She says," and I nod as she lifts up my shirt to reveal the worsening br