2

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 Catherine’s office—she’s my manager. 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 my shift, and right before it ends—just as I’m about to go change—my coworker Cody asks me to take the last customer’s order while he makes the drinks. I quickly agree, since I’m 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 black coffee you have? I was up all night doing homework and studying,” he says, and I notice the big black bags under his eyes.

I nod, write his name on a cup, and pass it to Cody. I take his money, grab my bag, and quickly go change.

I get dressed in a pair of black ripped skinny jeans and a white tank top with a black zip-up. My hair is still curled from earlier and pulled into a high ponytail. My makeup is natural—winged eyeliner and pale pink lipstick, my signature look, I guess you could say.

I see Daniel staring out the window, like he’s looking for something. I hesitate, but I decide it’s the right thing to do.

“Do you need a ride?” I ask, catching his attention.

“Yeah, I think so. My sister was supposed 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 into the back seat. I turn on the radio and tell Daniel he can play whatever he wants. He thanks me.

It takes a good five minutes to get to the school. Before I get out, I put my hood up and look down, noticing the crowd of people outside.

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

At all.

Daniel, being the biggest jock and most popular guy at school, attracts a lot of it. I don’t want any rumors with my name in them being spread, so I take a safety precaution and keep my hood up.

The beginning of the day goes by like normal. Then comes lunch—my time to enjoy being away from my parents and just do homework... alone.

Only this time, I’m not alone.

A few minutes after I sit down and start eating my salad, someone sits across from me. Seeing that it’s Daniel, I quickly ask, “Do you need me to do your homework too?”

“What the fuck? No,” he says, confused.

I do a bunch of guys on the football team’s homework.

“A bunch of your guys give me their homework to do, so I figured they told you and you came to use me too,” I say, stuffing a piece of lettuce in my mouth.

School is a big deal for me—if I get a scholarship, I get away from my parents. A win-win.

“No, I’d never do that. That’s such a dick move. I just wanted to thank you for the ride this morning,” he says, and I nod.

“Don’t mention it,” I say, glancing at him. He smiles. He has a nice smile.

“Are you sure that’s all?” I ask, sensing there’s more.

“Alright, fine. That’s only one part of it,” he says, and I nod knowingly.

“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 joke, causing Daniel to laugh.

“You’re a funny girl, Jackson,” he says, looking at me.

“Hmm, are we on a last-name basis now?” I ask, a little curious. All the boys on the team call each other by last name.

“Do you want to be?” Daniel asks, leaning against the school wall.

I clear my throat. “What else made you interrupt the only alone time I have?” I ask, arms crossed, staring into his blue eyes.

“I just need to ask something—to clarify for myself,” he says, shifting uncomfortably.

I nod, waiting.

“Are we... friends?”

Those three words leave me completely shocked.

Are we?

Are we not?

Do I want to be?

What will happen if we are?

What will people think?

“I—um. I don’t know,” I answer honestly.

Daniel nods, scratching his neck, clearly embarrassed.

“Do you want to be friends?” I ask, fiddling 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’s twin sister, walks up and gives us a look.

“Kylie, this is Kisses Jackson—my friend. Kisses, this is Kylie, my twin sister,” Daniel says, clearing his throat.

Kylie looks at me, confused. I clear my throat, feeling the tension grow.

“Um, well, I have to go. I guess I’ll see you guys around,” I say awkwardly, walking away.

“Meet me after school at the entrance,” Daniel calls, and I nod, running back into the building.

Talk about awkward.

Science class goes by normally. Christine texts me her address, and we finalize our project plans.

After school, I wait for Daniel. He and Kylie walk up to me.

“Hey, sorry I acted weird. You just look so familiar,” Kylie says.

I shrug. “It’s okay, really. Don’t worry about it. I get weird looks all the time,” I say, laughing.

Kylie nods.

“Here, put your number in,” Daniel says, handing me his phone. I quickly type it in and hand him mine in return. “I’ll text you later,” he says with a wink, then he and Kylie head to their car.

I get into my own, toss 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, dogs, and other animals. Over time, I’ve bonded with a Shih Tzu named Porsha. She’s practically mine.

We’ve both been through the same thing—abuse.

I take her outside to the playpen and throw the ball. She runs after it and drops it in front of me each time. Once she’s had enough, she lays down and waits for belly rubs.

“And this is Porsha. She’s a Shih Tzu and a sweetheart,” Kimberly, the manager, says, bringing in people to look at the dogs.

Porsha immediately runs to my side, and I frown. I’m the only one she trusts.

A few minutes later, Kimberly calls me over.

“Just adopt that dog already. She adores you,” she says, and I nod.

I want to—but I’m going to have to ask my parents. They’ll probably say no, and I don’t want them to hurt her.

Just then, a thought crosses my mind.

“I’m trying, Scarlet. You have no idea,” I whisper, putting Porsha back with the other dogs and heading out.

I finally make my way to Christine’s house and text her, letting her know I’ll be there in about 10 minutes.